Central Ohio Sees First Unhealthy Ozone Day in Over a Decade

Air quality monitors in New Albany recorded an AQI score of 156 on June 12, 2025, the first time ozone levels reached the unhealthy range since 2012.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Central Ohio experienced its first unhealthy air quality day due to ozone pollution in over a decade in 2025, according to a report from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. An air quality monitor in New Albany recorded an air quality index (AQI) score of 156 on June 12, 2025, which falls in the unhealthy range of 151-200. This was the first time ozone levels in central Ohio tipped the AQI score into the unhealthy range since 2012.

Why it matters

High ozone days in central Ohio have plummeted over the past three decades, driven mostly by emissions reductions. However, this recent uptick in unhealthy ozone levels raises concerns about air quality and public health in the region, as air pollution can cause both short-term and long-term damage to people's health, especially for vulnerable populations like young people, pregnant women, and the elderly.

The details

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, a regional council of more than 90 central Ohio government officials and community partners, monitors the region's air quality and issues air forecasts and air quality alerts. In the 2024-2025 air quality monitoring season, six of central Ohio's eight air quality alerts were due to ozone pollution, and all seven days where the AQI score reached the unhealthy for sensitive groups range were caused by ozone pollution.

  • On June 12, 2025, an air quality monitor in New Albany recorded an AQI score of 156, which falls in the unhealthy range.
  • From March 2025 to October 2025, 3% of the days had unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse ozone AQI scores, an uptick from the same season in 2024.

The players

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

A regional council of more than 90 central Ohio government officials and community partners that monitors the region's air quality and issues air forecasts and air quality alerts.

New Albany

A city in central Ohio where an air quality monitor recorded an unhealthy ozone AQI score in 2025.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges central Ohio faces in maintaining good air quality, even as overall ozone levels have declined over the past decades. The region will need to continue its efforts to reduce emissions and protect public health, especially for vulnerable populations, as the effects of air pollution can be both immediate and long-lasting.