AIR QUALITY INDEX
Your forecast to breafite by
9-30-03 DRAFT
Template Talking Points for Regions
Heart disease claims millions of lives. Asthma impairs the health of so many children
and adults. Air pollution, especially pollution from particles, aggravates heart
disease. And it's damaging for older adults, and children.
Currently the AQI forecasts are used primarily for ground-level ozone during the
summer. The expanded AQI forecasts will include daily reports for particle pollution
and will be available year-round.
It is the microscopic particles suspended in the air that are of most concern. These
particles can get deep into the lungs and cause significant health problems.
With the October 1 addition of particle pollution reporting and forecasting, the
expanded AQI forecasts will become one of the most effective ways for Americans to
manage their health year-round.
By spending just a minute each day checking the AQI forecast along with the daily
weathercast, the public can know when to make simple changes to reduce their
exposure to air pollution.
Ongoing support of the year-round AQI forecasts by the media and meteorologists
will generate awareness of the serious health threat of particle pollution.
All local and regional meteorologists should include the expanded AQI forecasts in
their daily weathercasts. For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web
site at [enter state or local Web site] or EPA's Web site at www.epa.gov/airnow.
The expanded Air Quality Index is now a "forecast to breathe by" and an even better
way for people to manage their health year-round.
(Ok	United States
Environmental Protection
M % Agency

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