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

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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

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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

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