Air Quality Index: Ashly Naysha Soto Vargas Pd. 7 Mrs. I. Sierra Env. Science
Air Quality Index: Ashly Naysha Soto Vargas Pd. 7 Mrs. I. Sierra Env. Science
Air Quality Index: Ashly Naysha Soto Vargas Pd. 7 Mrs. I. Sierra Env. Science
The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted your
air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you. The AQI focuses on
health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.
EPA calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act:
ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon
monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. For each of these pollutants, EPA has
established national air quality standards to protect public health.Ground-level ozone and
airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in
this country.
Air Quality
Levels of Health
Index Colors
Concern
(AQI) Values)
Unhealthy for
101-150 Orange
Sensitive Groups
Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern. The six levels of health
concern and what they mean are:
"Good" AQI is 0 - 50. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution
poses little or no risk.
"Moderate" AQI is 51 - 100. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some
pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of
people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience
respiratory symptoms.
"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" AQI is 101 - 150. Although general public is
not likely to be affected at this AQI range, people with lung disease, older adults
and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with
heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the
presence of particles in the air. .
"Unhealthy" AQI is 151 - 200. Everyone may begin to experience some adverse
health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious
effects. .
"Very Unhealthy" AQI is 201 - 300. This would trigger a health alert signifying
that everyone may experience more serious health effects.
"Hazardous" AQI greater than 300. This would trigger a health warnings of
emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.