Current:Home > StocksWhat is the Air Quality Index, the tool used to tell just how bad your city's air is?-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
What is the Air Quality Index, the tool used to tell just how bad your city's air is?
View Date:2024-12-24 09:26:53
With a thick haze lingering above the heads of millions of Americans as Canada's wildfires continue to rage, there has been a whirlwind of information about the severity of the situation. But when officials and forecasters classify your city's air as "unhealthy" or "hazardous," what does that really mean?
They're using a federal measurement system called the Air Quality Index.
What is the Air Quality Index?
The Air Quality Index is used nationwide to measure the severity of air pollution and categorize the health risks that are involved with various levels of pollution. The index uses six color-coated categories: good (green), moderate (yellow), unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange), unhealthy (red), very unhealthy (purple) and hazardous (maroon).
The health impacts included in the index are those that people are likely to experience within "a few hours or days" after being exposed to the air, the National Weather Service Says.
How is air quality measured?
The National Weather Service says that the Environmental Protection Agency calculates the Air Quality Index – a value between 0 and 500 – based on five "major pollutants." Those pollutants — ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide — are all regulated by the Clean Air Act. Of those, ground-level ozone and airborne particles are considered "the greatest threat to human health."
What do the numbers mean?
Each Air Quality Index category, also known as the level of concern, is attached to a certain range of values:
- Good (green): 0 to 50
- Moderate (yellow): 51 to 100
- Unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange): 101 to 150
- Unhealthy (red): 151 to 200
- Very unhealthy (purple): 201 to 300
- Hazardous (marron): 301 and higher
Essentially, the lower the number, the cleaner the air. The only category where air quality is considered "satisfactory" is the one where the index value is no more than 50, although values between 51 and 100 are still considered "acceptable." After that, the air could pose a risk to at least some people, and that risk only becomes greater as the index value rises.
Once the air is deemed "very unhealthy," the general public is at risk of experiencing health impacts, which range from a headache and fatigue to much more serious issues such as heart attack or stroke. At "hazardous" levels, the region is experiencing an air quality emergency. Those with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are more at risk of developing serious health issues as pollution worsens.
What is the air quality near me?
Air Quality Index values change constantly throughout the day as weather conditions and weather patterns move through the area. AirNow.gov uses the index to provide the latest status for your area. To use the site, enter your zip code and a meter will pop up showing you what the value and color category is for your city, as well as the last time that measurement was updated.
It also tells you what pollutant is causing issues, who is most at risk for health complications and what activities may be safe to do. In New York City, for example, the Thursday morning reading said the AQI for PM2.5, a kind of particulate matter, is 215, meaning "very unhealthy," and that people who have heart or lung disease, those who are elderly, and children and teens should avoid outdoor physical activity. In these conditions, everyone else should avoid "strenuous" and long outdoor activities.
- In:
- Air Pollution
- Air Quality
- Wildfire
- East Coast
- Wildfire Smoke
- Northeast
- Canada
Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.
veryGood! (89269)
Related
- Amtrak service disrupted after fire near tracks in New York City
- Inmate advocates describe suffocating heat in Texas prisons as they plea for air conditioning
- Jamaica's Shericka Jackson withdrawing from 100 meter at Paris Olympics
- 2024 Olympics: What USA Tennis' Emma Navarro Told “Cut-Throat” Opponent Zheng Qinwen in Heated Exchange
- Kansas basketball vs Michigan State live score updates, highlights, how to watch Champions Classic
- 2024 Olympics: Judo Star Dislocates Shoulder While Celebrating Bronze Medal
- Team USA men's soccer is going to the Olympic quarterfinals for the first time in 24 years
- Three anti-abortion activists sentenced to probation in 2021 Tennessee clinic blockade
- Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures
- City lawyers offer different view about why Chicago police stopped man before fatal shooting
Ranking
- Inter Miami's MLS playoff failure sets stage for Messi's last act, Alexi Lalas says
- Florida county approves deal to build a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium
- Inheritance on hold? Most Americans don't understand the time and expense of probate
- Charity Lawson recalls 'damaging' experience on 'DWTS,' 'much worse' than 'Bachelorette'
- Atlanta man dies in shootout after police chase that also kills police dog
- Jeff Bridges, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, more stars join 'White Dudes for Harris' Zoom
- Civil Rights Movement Freedom Riders urge younger activists to get out the vote
- Duck Dynasty's Missy and Jase Robertson Ask for Prayers for Daughter Mia During 16th Surgery
Recommendation
-
Saving for retirement? How to account for Social Security benefits
-
El Chapo’s son pleads not guilty to narcotics, money laundering and firearms charges
-
Double victory for Olympic fencer competing while seven months pregnant
-
Harris Grabs Green New Deal Network Endorsement That Eluded Biden
-
Bowl projections: SEC teams joins College Football Playoff field
-
MLB trade deadline live updates: Jack Flaherty to Dodgers, latest news
-
Paychecks grew more slowly this spring, a sign inflation may keep cooling
-
Texas radio host’s friend sentenced to life for her role in bilking listeners of millions