All citizens and visitors of Sedgwick County are stakeholders in the quality of our air. The average citizen breathes approximately 22,000 times daily and inhales nearly 35 pounds of Sedgwick County air in the process. Each year the Air Quality Section investigates over one hundred complaints concerning air pollution in Wichita and Sedgwick County.
There are approximately 200 businesses in Sedgwick County that are permitted as air pollution sources. Local Air Quality staff inspect these facilities through a cooperative agreement with KDHE and EPA to ensure that required air pollution control devices are present and working properly. Information on inspections done at these facilities is shared with KDHE and EPA. Since Wichita is currently in attainment with all federal air quality standards, local businesses can continue to enjoy continued expansion without undue restrictions on their activities. This also is an incentive for new businesses to locate here, thus allowing our citizens greater employment opportunities.