AIR QUALITY INDEX

Poor air quality is a problem for many people, especially those who suffer from asthma.  High concentrations of small particles and gases present in outdoor air can irritate lungs and trigger asthma symptoms.  The Clean Air Act created legislation that requires local and state agencies to monitor air quality and report their findings daily to the public.  This report is known as the Air Quality Index (AQI), and it indicates how much pollution is currently present in the area air.  Colors may be used to indicate pollution levels: green and yellow for low levels and orange, red, or maroon for high levels.  Asthma sufferers can use the AQI to determine when outdoor activities will pose the least health risk.

P.S. AQI information is available in weather reports, newspapers, and on the web at www.airnow.gov.

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