EPA AirNow MCP. Track local air quality and forecast pollution risks.
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EPA AirNow MCP Server connects your AI client to real-time air quality data from the Environmental Protection Agency. Check current pollutant levels (Ozone, PM2.5, PM10) or forecast future conditions using either geographic coordinates or US ZIP codes.
It gives you immediate, actionable data on local air safety for health planning.
What your AI agents can do
Get current aqi by latlon
Gets real-time Air Quality Index observation using geographic coordinates.
Get current aqi by zip
Gets real-time Air Quality Index observation using a 5-digit US ZIP code.
Get forecast aqi by zip
Gets future Air Quality Index forecasts for a given US ZIP code.
The agent gets real-time Air Quality Index observations using precise geographic coordinates.
The agent gets real-time Air Quality Index observations using a specific 5-digit US ZIP code.
The agent looks ahead and predicts future Air Quality Index values for a given US ZIP code.
Ask AI about this MCP
Supported MCP Clients
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EPA AirNow MCP Server: 3 Tools for Air Quality Data
Use these tools to get current AQI observations by coordinates or ZIP code, and predict future air quality forecasts.
019d7591get current aqi by latlon
Gets real-time Air Quality Index observation using geographic coordinates.
019d7591get current aqi by zip
Gets real-time Air Quality Index observation using a 5-digit US ZIP code.
019d7591get forecast aqi by zip
Gets future Air Quality Index forecasts for a given US ZIP code.
Choose How to Get Started
Build a custom MCP for your own tools, or connect a ready-made integration from our catalog.
Build Your Own
Turn any API into an MCP. Import a spec, define Agent Skills, or deploy with MCPFusion.
- Import from OpenAPI, Swagger, or YAML specs
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Make Your AI Do More
Start with EPA AirNow, then connect any of our 4,700+ other servers whenever your AI needs more. One click, no limits.
- Use this MCP plus 4,700+ others, all in one place
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- Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and more
- New servers added to the catalog every week
What you can do with this MCP connector
Your AI client talks to the EPA AirNow Server, giving you real-time air safety data. You can check current pollutant levels (Ozone, PM2.5, PM10) or predict what's coming using either lat/lon coordinates or a US ZIP code. It gives you immediate, actionable data for planning your health.
To check current air quality by coordinates, your agent uses get_current_aqi_by_latlon to grab the real-time Air Quality Index observation from precise geographic coordinates. To check current air quality by ZIP code, the agent uses get_current_aqi_by_zip to get the real-time Air Quality Index observation for any 5-digit US ZIP code. If you need to get future air quality forecasts, the agent uses get_forecast_aqi_by_zip, predicting future Air Quality Index values for a specific US ZIP code.
How EPA AirNow MCP Works
- 1 You tell your AI client what you need: current data, a forecast, and the location (coordinates or ZIP code).
- 2 The client calls the specific tool—for example,
get_forecast_aqi_by_zip—passing the required parameters. - 3 The server runs the EPA API call and returns the structured data, including the predicted AQI and pollutant metrics.
The bottom line is, your agent gets actionable air quality data by calling the precise tool based on your location and time needs.
Who Is EPA AirNow MCP For?
Anyone who deals with public health data or requires localized environmental intelligence. This is for the occupational health specialist who needs to vet a worksite's air quality before an employee arrives, or the emergency response planner who must quickly model wildfire smoke impact across a region. If location-specific environmental risk is your job, you need this.
Uses the server to check air quality at a worksite's coordinates or ZIP code before scheduling outdoor tasks for employees.
Runs get_forecast_aqi_by_zip to advise clients on long-term community safety planning and potential pollution hotspots.
Queries the current AQI using coordinates to determine immediate safe evacuation zones during a smoke event.
What Changes When You Connect
- See current pollutant levels (Ozone, PM2.5, PM10) instantly. Using
get_current_aqi_by_latlongives you the most precise, up-to-the-minute reading, which is vital for immediate health decisions. - Plan for future conditions.
get_forecast_aqi_by_ziplets you anticipate air quality dips days ahead, enabling you to schedule outdoor events or site visits when the air is cleaner. - Get localized readings easily. If coordinates aren't available,
get_current_aqi_by_zipprovides reliable, real-time AQI data just by knowing a 5-digit US ZIP code. - Assess specific pollutants. The data isn't just an AQI number. You get metrics on PM2.5, PM10, and Ozone, letting you understand exactly why the air quality is rated as it is.
- Support risk assessment workflows. This data helps community dashboards and health apps determine if outdoor activity is safe for vulnerable groups, like people with asthma.
- Use the most precise input. Whenever possible, use
get_current_aqi_by_latlonbecause coordinates offer the highest level of spatial accuracy for warnings.
Real-World Use Cases
Planning a marathon route
A running club needs to know if tomorrow's air will be safe for a large group event. They ask their agent to run get_forecast_aqi_by_zip for the event's ZIP code. The agent returns the predicted AQI, noting if PM2.5 levels will be the limiting factor, allowing the club to adjust the route or postpone.
Checking a job site's air quality
An industrial safety officer is visiting a new facility. They use their device's GPS coordinates and ask the agent to run get_current_aqi_by_latlon. The agent confirms the current AQI, providing an immediate 'safe to proceed' or 'stay indoors' assessment.
Monitoring smoke drift
A wildfire monitoring team needs to know the current air quality in a valley. They feed the coordinates into get_current_aqi_by_latlon. The agent immediately reports the pollutant levels, helping the team track smoke movement and issuing real-time warnings.
Building a community health dashboard
A public health group needs to display air quality for multiple neighborhoods. They use get_current_aqi_by_zip in a loop, gathering real-time data for several ZIP codes and compiling a comprehensive, actionable map.
The Tradeoffs
Relying only on general ZIP data
A developer uses get_current_aqi_by_zip because it's easy, but the location is actually near a major highway. The ZIP code covers too large an area, and the reported AQI doesn't reflect the immediate, localized pollution from the highway.
→
When precision matters, use get_current_aqi_by_latlon. This tool requires specific coordinates and cuts out the generalized readings that come with broad ZIP code areas.
Confusing current and future data
A user asks, 'Is the air clean tomorrow?' and the agent runs get_current_aqi_by_zip. The result is irrelevant because it only shows today's air quality, wasting time and giving a false sense of security.
→
Always use get_forecast_aqi_by_zip for anything scheduled after today. This tool predicts the conditions, giving you the data you need for proactive planning.
Forgetting the pollutant details
The agent returns an AQI of 150 (Unhealthy), and the user just accepts that number. They don't know if the problem is Ozone or PM2.5, so they can't mitigate the risk correctly.
→ Check the full output. The tools return specific metrics for Ozone, PM2.5, and PM10. Knowing the root pollutant lets you take the right action, whether that's wearing a mask or moving indoors.
When It Fits, When It Doesn't
Use this server if your application needs to track environmental risk—meaning, if the user's safety or planning depends on localized air quality. You must decide if you need immediate status (get_current_aqi_by_latlon or get_current_aqi_by_zip) or future planning (get_forecast_aqi_by_zip). Don't use this if you just need generalized weather data (e.g., temperature or wind speed); use a dedicated weather API for that. If you are in a highly technical environment and coordinates are always available, stick to get_current_aqi_by_latlon for maximum accuracy. If you only have a ZIP code, you are limited to the zip-based tools.
Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by EPA. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.
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Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and more
The Model Context Protocol standardizes how applications expose capabilities to LLMs. Instead of operating in isolation, your AI gains direct access to external platforms, live data, and real-world actions through secure, standardized connections.
This server provides 3 capabilities that interface natively with Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and any MCP client. No middleware. No custom integration required.
Available Capabilities
Tracking air quality used to mean checking a few static websites.
Before this server, checking air quality involved jumping between the EPA website, looking up local advisories, and manually cross-referencing pollutant types. If you needed to know the status for multiple locations, you were copying ZIP codes into multiple tabs and waiting for slow, siloed reports.
Now, your agent calls the EPA AirNow MCP Server. You tell it the location and the time frame, and the agent returns a structured payload containing the specific AQI, PM2.5, and Ozone levels for all required spots. The whole process happens in one function call.
EPA AirNow MCP Server: Get precise, actionable air data.
You no longer have to guess which location data is best. The server provides three clear paths: immediate check by coordinates (`get_current_aqi_by_latlon`), immediate check by ZIP (`get_current_aqi_by_zip`), or planning ahead using ZIP codes (`get_forecast_aqi_by_zip`).
This means your application can reliably pivot between immediate, precise data and future, generalized planning data without complex manual routing or fallbacks.
Common Questions About EPA AirNow MCP
How do I check the current air quality index using `get_current_aqi_by_latlon`? +
You provide the precise latitude and longitude coordinates. This method gives the highest spatial accuracy and is best for immediate, highly localized warnings. The result includes current metrics for Ozone, PM2.5, and PM10.
Is `get_current_aqi_by_zip` the same as using coordinates? +
No. get_current_aqi_by_zip is faster for broad areas but less precise. It uses the general data associated with a 5-digit ZIP code, which might not account for hyper-local pollution sources.
What is the difference between `get_current_aqi_by_zip` and `get_forecast_aqi_by_zip`? +
The current tool gives you the air quality right now. The forecast tool predicts what the air quality will be at a later time, based on predictive models.
Can I check air quality for multiple ZIP codes at once? +
The current tools are designed to process one ZIP code at a time. You'll need your agent to loop through a list of ZIP codes, calling get_current_aqi_by_zip for each one.
How do I get future air quality predictions using `get_forecast_aqi_by_zip`? +
This tool provides predicted AQI values for a specific US ZIP code. It's useful for planning events or monitoring long-term pollution trends, not just today's air quality.
What happens if I use `get_current_aqi_by_latlon` with invalid coordinates? +
The API handles invalid inputs by returning a structured error message. Your agent will receive a clear failure signal, allowing it to prompt you for correct geographic data.
Can the `get_current_aqi_by_zip` tool fetch data for non-US ZIP codes? +
No, the get_current_aqi_by_zip tool is restricted to 5-digit US ZIP Codes. You must use the get_current_aqi_by_latlon tool for international or general coordinates.
Is there a limit to how often I can call `get_current_aqi_by_latlon`? +
The service has defined rate limits to ensure stability. Your AI client will receive specific error codes when you approach or exceed these usage thresholds.
Is the environmental tracking completely real-time? +
Yes! The system taps directly into the active observation corridors of the Environmental Protection Agency, gathering insights exactly as they are reported by local atmospheric sensors.
How does it help people with asthma or sensitivities? +
The agent retrieves exact pollutant indices and maps them into clear categories, letting users instantly know when it is dangerous for sensitive groups to engage in outdoor activities.
Are the geographic queries limited by zip code only? +
No, you can query locations by ZIP code to find immediate reporting areas, or use exact latitude/longitude coordinates to pull the closest station parameters precisely.
Use it with your favorite AI tools
Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.
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