Cleveland Hazecam
Haze is a reduction in visibility caused by air pollution. Cleveland Hazecam is dedicated to increasing public awareness of air pollution, its causes and health effects, and what we can do to reduce it. Our hazecam, located at MetroHealth Medical Center, generates a live image of Cleveland's skyline every 15 minutes.
Visit the Cleveland Hazecam site.
See the range of haze over Cleveland in just one day.
View some historical haze images.
Visit NOACA's Northeast Ohio Fine Particulate Program and view current maps of local particulate matter and graphs of air quality.
The Cleveland HazeCam is the result of a collaboration between MetroHealth Medical Center, the Northeast Ohio Area Coordinating Agency (NOACA), the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and
Ohio University.
What can I do about air pollution?
Air pollution is a problem that is all around us, so it can seem like there is little that one person can do to make a difference. But in fact, there are things we can all do to reduce air pollution and its harm.
Limit your exposure
If possible, avoid the hottest part of the day for commuting or exercising outdoors. Exercise increases your body's intake of air pollutants.
Avoiding excess air pollution can be aided with a little knowledge and planning. Consider checking air quality alerts, and know what levels of pollution might be dangerous for your individual health status or planned activity level.
Having access to air quality alerts may be particularly useful if any of the following applies to you:
- If you have a health condition that makes you susceptible to air pollution
- If you exercise outdoors
- If you live near an area with high levels of air pollution
Limit your susceptibility
Your ability to withstand air pollution on a day-to-day basis depends partly on your general health, and in particular the health of your heart and lungs. Therefore preventing heart and lung disease, and managing these conditions carefully if they already exist, may reduce some air pollution-related harm.
Make less pollution
Turn off idle cars and trucks. Car and truck exhaust make a significant contribution to air pollution, particularly to people directly in their vicinity. Idle-reduction laws have been enacted in Cleveland and several other municipalities.
Build green, and run existing buildings green. For example see the Affordable Green Housing Center, a project of Environmental Health Watch.
Protect your community
Hold industry and government accountable for safe clean air standards. Scientifically-driven air quality standards can reduce pollution emissions and make the air safer.