Protect Yourself
                                                                                                        AIR QUALITY INDEX
                                                                                          Your forecast to breathe by
You're exposed to pollution any time you breathe polluted air. But when
you exercise, do yard work or other strenuous activities that increase
your breathing rate, you take more pollution into your lungs.

You can reduce your exposure by using AQI forecasts to help you
plan your day. When the forecast calls for elevated levels of pollution,
protect your health by reducing your exposure - especially if you are in
a sensitive group.

How do you reduce your exposure when air quality is poor? Reschedule
strenuous activities for times when air quality is expected to be better.
Take it a little easier. You can cut back on vigorous activities, such as
walking instead of jogging. These small changes can help you protect
your lungs and heart.


Get Your Local AQI Forecast
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You can find your local forecast by logging on to EPA's AIRNow Web
page at www.airnow.gov. Once on this site, you can also sign up for
EnviroFlash, an e-mail and pager notification service that alerts you
when your local air quality reaches certain levels. EnviroFlash gives
instant air quality information that you can customize for your own
needs, allowing you to take steps to protect the health of you and your
family.


If you have limited Internet access, you'll find that many local television
stations, radio stations and newspapers also carry local AQI forecasts.
     For more real-time information on air quality visit:
                    www.airnow.gov
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA-456/F-07-002
February 2007
AQI   Forecasts:
Your Advance Notification About Unhealthy Air

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The Air Quality Index (AQI): As Important as
Checking the Weather
You probably check the weather forecast every day. After all, it's a
useful tool that helps you plan what to wear and lets you know if you
need to carry an umbrella. But there's another forecast you should be
checking, too - the AQI. It can help you plan activities that protect your
health. '
How the AQI Works
Meteorologists in state and local air quality agencies develop AQI
forecasts using actual air quality data, along with weather forecast
information.  These forecasts are then translated into a simple color-
coded key that tells you how healthy or unhealthy the air is. Everyone
may begin to experience health effects on a red air quality day.
Color
Green

Yellow
Orange
Purple
Maroon
AQI
Good

Moderate
Unhealthy
for Sensitive
Groups
Unhealthy

Very Unhealthy

Hazardous
Health Message
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air
pollution poses little or no risk.
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some
pollutants there may be a moderate health
concern for a very small number of people
who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Members of sensitive groups may experience
health effects. The general public is not likely
to be affected.
Everyone may begin to experience health
effects: members of sensitive groups may
experience more serious health effects.

Health alert: everyone may experience more
serious health effects.

Health warnings of emergency conditions.
The entire population is more likely to be
affected.
What Does the AQI Tell Me?
The AQI is a fast and effective way to let you know:
•  what today's air pollution levels will be in your community;
•  who is at risk from that pollution; and
•  simple steps you can take to protect yourself.


Ground-level ozone and particle pollution  are two of the most common
air pollutants; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state and local
agencies often provide separate forecasts for each of them.

Ground-Level Ozone
Ground-level ozone is formed when pollutants emitted by vehicles,
power plants and industrial plants react in the presence of sunlight,
usually during the summer. Ozone aggravates asthma and other
respiratory diseases, and can make it difficult for you to breathe
as deeply as you normally would. Ground-level ozone can  also
permanently change the structure of your lungs.

Particle Pollution
Unlike summertime ozone, particle pollution can occur year round.
Particle pollution comes from a wide range of sources,  including
power plants, cars and trucks, wood stoves and forest fires. Airborne,
microscopic particles can get deep into your lungs and aggravate
heart and  lung disease. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing,
shortness of breath, and unusual fatigue.  In people with heart disease,
particle pollution has been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmias.
 Ground-level Ozone: People with lung disease (such as asthma),
 children, and adults who are active outdoors.

 Particle Pollution: People with heart or lung disease (such as asthma),
 older adults, and children.

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