Air quality affects how we live and breathe and, like the weather, it changes constantly.
The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, developed the Air Quality Index, AQI, to provide timely and easy-to-understand information on local air quality.
AQI focuses on health effects that can happen within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.
5 major pollutants are considered: ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
AQI is a color-coded system. The higher the AQI value, the greater level of air pollution and the greater the health danger.
| Air Quality Index | Precautions |
| 0-50 Good | Considered satisfactory |
| 51-100 Moderate | Acceptable, maybe a moderate health concern for small number of individuals |
| 101-150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups | Unacceptable for sensitive groups, general public not likely to be affected |
| 151-200 Unhealthy | Everyone may begin to experience health effects. Sensitive groups more serious health effects |
| 201-300 Very unhealthy | Health alert, everyone may experience more serious health effects |
| 300-500 Hazardous | Health warnings of emergency conditions, everyone is more likely to be affected |
Check the air pollution forecasts daily. Become familiar with the Air Quality Index.
Plan your outdoor activities when the air quality is least harmful.
Buy environmentally friendly products with the EPA ENERGY STAR seal of approval. This signifies that the product uses less energy and will last longer.
When people drive they contribute towards the release of harmful chemicals in the air. Here are some suggestions to reduce car emissions:
- Use public transportation, walk or ride your bike
- Combine errands in one trip
- Avoid long drive-through lines
- Get regular tune-ups and maintenance checks
- Fill gas tank during the evening hours to minimize evaporation
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