Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

Clean Air Month is observed each year across the United States during May. The month focuses on ways we can contribute to making our air cleaner. There has also been a renewed focus on improving the quality of indoor air. In addition, the day brings to light the many ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprints and keep in check our use of fuels and other non-renewable energies. Clean Air Month is an important observance as it encourages people to make our planet greener, healthier, and more liveable for future generations. By putting in the time and effort, we can significantly contribute to making the air cleaner.

History of Clean Air Month

Clean Air Month is observed in May each year in association with the American Lung Association. It started as a week-long event in 1972 and turned into a month-long one in 1994. Clean Air Month awareness campaigns aim to educate everyone about the impact of air pollutants and the importance of clean air for a healthy life. The celebrations also encourage people to adopt steps to improve air quality, both locally and globally.

Clean Air Month also celebrates the improvements that have been made to make the air cleaner in the last 40 years since the campaign kicked off. The Clean Air Act, initiated by Clean Air Month, was included in legislation in 1970. Poor air quality can have serious repercussions on one’s health and can pave the way for cancer, bronchitis, allergies, and asthma. Poor air quality has also been linked to the deterioration of our emotional and mental well-being.

Clean Air Month allows us to learn more about how our daily activities affect the quality of the air around us. It features special days such as Bike to Work Day and Car Share Day to promote sustainable activities among Americans. The American Lung Association led many of the activities. They also educate community members about the importance of good air quality and the steps they can take at individual and local levels to improve air quality. Clean Air Month is one of the consistent initiatives in America that aids in building a sustainable future.

Clean Air Month timeline

1902
The First Air-Conditioning Unit

Willis Carrier invents the first modern air-conditioning unit.

1904
The American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is founded in Chicago, U.S.

1962
An Air Humidifier is Invented

Raymond Banks invents the first air humidifier.

1985
Ozone Holes are Discovered

Ozone holes are discovered by Jonathan Shanklin.

Clean Air Month FAQs

When was the Clean Air Act signed?

The Clean Air Act was signed by President Richard Nixon on December 31, 1970, to improve human health and the environment.

What does ‘clean air’ mean?

Clean air is the air that has no harmful levels of pollutants in it.

What happens when the air is dirty?

Headaches, coughing, and wheezing can be caused by dirty air. Breathing in air pollution can trigger asthma, allergies, heart attacks, and strokes.

How to Observe Clean Air Month

  1. Take action

    Speak to your local councilor about ways to improve air quality in your area. Clean Air Month is a great time to form an action plan and implement it.

  2. Plant trees

    Trees are a tried and tested way to improve air quality. Plant as many trees and saplings as you can during Clean Air Month, and also encourage your friends and family to do the same.

  3. Live a sustainable life

    Ditch your car for bicycles, a carpool, or public transport during Clean Air Month. This will not only reduce air pollution but is also one of the best ways to reduce your overall carbon footprint.

5 Facts About Air And Pollution

  1. Air isn’t just gas

    Air also contains tiny particles called aerosols.

  2. Air helps us hear

    Air carries the vibrations of sound, helping us hear.

  3. Vehicles are the biggest air polluters

    They emit carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, and other toxins into the air.

  4. Smog affects our health

    It causes difficulty in breathing and dizziness.

  5. It helps with afforestation

    Winds carry seeds that get planted and germinate into new plants.

Why Clean Air Month is Important

  1. Clean air means healthy lives

    Clean air is important for a healthy life. It not only lessens the risk of us developing serious illnesses due to toxins in the air but also improves our mental and emotional well-being. Clean Air Month helps us live a long and healthy life.

  2. It promotes a green future

    Observances such as Clean Air Month ensure that we leave behind a clean, green, and sustainable planet for future generations. The time to start is now.

  3. It allows us to honor the environment

    By celebrating Clean Air Month, we also fulfill our duty to the environment. It’s a way of saying thanks to the environment and leaving it pristine for future generations to come.

Clean Air Month dates

YearDateDay
2024May 1Wednesday
2025May 1Thursday
2026May 1Friday
2027May 1Saturday
2028May 1Monday
Hurricane Preparedness Week
National Physical Education and Sport Week
Aces Day
Agriculture and Labor Day
Beltane
Blessing Day
Calan Mai
Couple Appreciation Day
CSS Reboot Day
Executive Coaching Day
Frequent Flyer Day
Global Love Day
Great American Grump Out
International Doodle Dog Day
International Sunflower Guerilla Gardening Day
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Day
Labor Day Philippines
Learn to Ride a Bike Day
Lei Day
Marshall Islands Constitution Day
May Day
Mother Goose Day
National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day
National Black Barber Shop Appreciation Day
National Chocolate Parfait Day
National Infertility Survival Day
National Interpreter Appreciation Day
National Loyalty Day
National Mantra Day
National Purebred Dog Day
National Rotate Your Beer Day
National Skilled Trades Day
National Skilled Trades Day
New Homeowners Day
Phone in Sick Day
Save The Rhino Day
School Principals' Day
Silver Star Banner Day
Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day
Worthy Wage Day
ALS Awareness Month
American Cheese Month
American Wetlands Month
Anxiety Awareness Month
Arthritis Awareness Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Awareness of Medical Orphans Month
Be Kind to Animals Month
Bealtaine Festival
Better Sleep Month
Better Speech and Hearing Month
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
Brain Cancer Awareness Month
Building Safety Month
Celiac Awareness Month
Chip Your Pet Month
Chronic Fatigue Awareness Month
Clean Air Month
Community Action Month
Correct Posture Month
Creative Beginnings Month
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
Date Your Mate Month
Deck Safety Month
EDS Awareness Month
Electromagnetic Radiation Awareness Month
Family Wellness Month
Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month
Food Allergy Action Month
Fungal Infection Awareness Month
Gardening for Wildlife Month
Get Caught Reading Month
Gifts From The Garden Month
Global Employee Health and Fitness Month
Global Youth Traffic Safety Month
Haitian Heritage Month
Heal the Children Month
Healthy Vision Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Homeschool Awareness Month
Huntington's Disease Awareness Month
Indian Heritage Month
Internal Audit Awareness Month
International Business Image Improvement Month
International Civility Awareness Month
International Drum Month
International Respect for Chickens Month
International Victorious Woman Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Labor History Month
Latino Books Month
Leaders of Tomorrow Month
Lettuce Month
Local and Community History Month
Lung Health Awareness Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month
Maternal Mental Health Month
May Measurement Month
MCS Awareness Month
Meditation Month
Mediterranean Diet Month
Melanoma / Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
Military Appreciation Month
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
National Asparagus Month
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
National Barbecue Month
National Bicycle Safety Month
National Blood Pressure Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Comfort Month
National Digestive Disease Awareness Month
National Duckling Month
fried egg on national egg month
National Egg Month
National Foster Care Month
National Hamburger Month
National Heritage Month
National Inventors Month
a nurse on National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Moving Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
National Pet Month
National Photography Month
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Preservation Month
National Prom Graduation Safety Month
National Recommitment Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National San Architect Month
National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
National Share a Story Month
National Show Your Smile Month
National Sight-Saving Month
National Strawberry Month
National Teen Self-Esteem Month
National Tennis Month
National Toxic Encephalopathy and Chemical Injury Awareness Month
National Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Vinegar Month
National Walking Month
National Youth Traffic Safety Month
Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Month
Neurofibromatosis Month
Older Americans Month
Personal History Awareness Month
Pet Sitter Safety Month
REACT Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
Revise Your Work Schedule Month
Small Business Month
Speech and Hearing Awareness Month
Steelmark Month
Strike Out Strokes Month
Stroke Awareness Month
Syringomyelia Awareness Month
Teen CEO Month
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
Ultraviolet Awareness Month
Women's Health Month
Zombie Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.