Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy says the state's effort to decrease ozone pollution has lead to better air quality this year.
Ozone is a gas in earth's atmosphere that can occur naturally or be man-made. When levels are high they can make air quality worse.
From March to October, ozone levels are likely to be higher, which is why state environmental officials closely monitor the air quality.
This year's report has shown air quality is improving, continuing a long-term trend.
Holland was the only city that didn't meet federal ozone standards this year. EGLE said that's likely because of pollution that transferred across Lake Michigan from other states.
"The air quality is continuing to improve, and we are attaining the federal standards throughout much of the state," Tom Shanley, an air quality evaluation manager with EGLE.
Still, Shanley says pollutants from wildfire smoke have impacted the state more in recent years.
In July, Michigan experienced dangerous air quality levels as wildfire smoke from Canada traveled south.
"We have, in the last five to ten years, noticed an increase in impacts from wildfire smoke, whether it's from places out northwest U.S. or in Canada," he said.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, elevated ozone levels can lead to difficulty breathing for those with compromised respiratory systems.
