AIR QUALITY INDEX four forecast to fcwaf/ie by DRAFT 9/30/03 Particle Pollution Air Quality Index (AQI) At-A-Glance Messages Use this messaging grid when particles are the primary pollutant of concern - arid ozone levels are green or yellow. AQI color code Who is affected? What is the significance? What action should people take? Green — Air quality is good Enjoy activities Yellow People who are unusually sensitive to air pollution Air quality is a concern for people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution People unusually sensitive to air pollution: Plan strenuous activities when air quality is better Orange People with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children Air quality is unhealthy for people in sensitive groups Sensitive groups: Cut back or reschedule strenuous activities Red Everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children Air quality is unhealthy for everyone Everyone: Cut back or reschedule strenuous activities Sensitive groups: Avoid strenuous activities Purple Everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children Air quality is very unhealthy for everyone Everyone: Significantly cut back on physical activities Sensitive groups: Avoid all physical activities drtk United States Environmental Protection M % Agency ------- AIR QUALITY INDEX Your forecast to breathe i)y Ozone Air Quality Index (AQI) At-A-Glance Messages Use this messaging grid when ozone is the primary pollutant of concern - arid particle levels are green or yellow. AQI color code Who is affected? What is the significance? What action should people take? Green — Air quality is good Enjoy activities Yellow People who are unusually sensitive to air pollution Air quality is a concern for people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution People unusually sensitive to air pollution Plan strenuous outside activities when air quality is better Orange People with lung disease (including asthma), active adults and children Air quality is unhealthy for people in sensitive groups Sensitive groups: Cut back or reschedule strenuous outside activities Red Everyone, especially people with lung disease (including asthma), active adults and children Air quality is unhealthy for everyone Everyone: Cut back or reschedule strenuous outside activities Sensitive groups: Avoid strenuous outside activities Purple Everyone, especially people with lung disease (including asthma), active adults and children Air quality is very unhealthy for everyone Everyone: Significantly cut back on outside physical activities Sensitive groups: Avoid all outside physical activities drtk United States Environmental Protection M % Agency ------- AIR QUALITY INDEX Your forecast to twaf/ie- by Ozone and Particle Combinations Air Quality Index (AQI) At-A-Glance Messages Use this grid when both pollutants are at unhealthy levels (orange, red, or purple). Always refer to the message for the higher-level pollutant For example, if the forecast is ozone orange/ particles red, refer to the red message. Pollutants and AQI color codes Who is affected? What is the significance? What action should people take? Ozone and particle pollution: orange/orange Active adults, people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children Air quality is unhealthy for many people Sensitive Groups: Cut back or reschedule strenuous activities Ozone and particle pollution: red/orange, orange/red, or red/red Everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease Air quality is unhealthy for everyone Everyone: Avoid strenuous activities Ozone and particle pollution: purple/orange, orange/purple, purple/red, red/purple, or purple/purple Everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease Air quality is very unhealthy for everyone Everyone: Avoid physical activities drtk United States Environmental Protection M % Agency ------- |