The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a color-coded tool that communicates the air quality status to the public
:
Green: The air is clean and has the best air quality
Yellow: The air is less clean than green
Orange: The air is less clean than yellow
Red: The air is less clean than orange and some members of the public may experience health effects
Purple: The air is less clean than red and the risk of health effects is increased for everyone
Maroon: The air is less clean than purple and everyone is more likely to be affected
The AQI is calculated by converting the concentrations of pollutants into a uniform index. The EPA establishes the health benchmarks used to calculate the AQI through the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
The AQI is based on the health effects associated with pollutants like ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Air pollution can be especially harmful to children, teens, people with asthma and other lung diseases, those over 65, those with diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and pregnant individuals.
No comments:
Post a Comment