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Air Quality Index (AQI)

Air Quality Index (AQI). Susan Lyon Stone stone.susan@epa.gov. Overview. About the AQI EPA outreach Major media outreach Future directions. EPA’s AQI. Clean Air Act – develop nationally uniform index and regulate reporting “Unhealthy” for ozone means same in Lima, OH as Los Angeles, CA

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Air Quality Index (AQI)

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  1. Air Quality Index (AQI) Susan Lyon Stone stone.susan@epa.gov

  2. Overview • About the AQI • EPA outreach • Major media outreach • Future directions

  3. EPA’s AQI • Clean Air Act – develop nationally uniform index and regulate reporting • “Unhealthy” for ozone means same in Lima, OH as Los Angeles, CA • Includes pollutants with national ambient air quality standards • O3, PM, CO, SO2, NO2 • Based on health effects information from review of standards

  4. State/local Agency’s AQI • Monitor ambient air • Report AQI • Usefulness of AQI linked to implementation • Continuous monitoring (e.g., PM2.5) • Forecasting and real-time data reporting • Participating in AIRNOW

  5. 1999 - AQI Revised • To represent health information from review of standards • Non-threshold nature of effects • Sub-indices for PM2.5 and O3 (8-hr average) • For use in contemporary media • Real-time data reporting • User-friendly format (e.g., colors, language)

  6. AQI Pollutant-Specific • Pollutant-specific statements • Health effects statements • Cautionary statements • Sensitive group statements

  7. AQI Easy to Understand • Format intuitively clear • Category descriptors • Colors • Statements • Focus group testing • General public – 5 cities • Target audiences – 3 cities

  8. AQI Focus Groups Parents – asthmatic children Journalists Elderly – chronic lung disease

  9. Ozone Levels

  10. http://www.epa.gov/airnow

  11. Air Quality Forecast

  12. Air Quality Guide - Ozone

  13. Ozone and Your Health

  14. Smog - Who Does It Hurt?

  15. Health Care Providers • “Ozone and Your Patients’ Health” video • CME credit UNC School of Medicine • http://med.unc.edu/cme • Air pollution health effects poster • Focus on O3, PM and AQI • Ready Fall 2001

  16. The Weather Channel

  17. USA Today

  18. Future Directions • PM air pollution • Public information documents • Real-time data - AIRNOW • Health care providers – Web-based instructional unit • Communicate appropriately in fire situations • Evaluate research

  19. Boston March 8, 2001 7:30 AM Boston March 8, 2001 11:30 AM

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