Air Quality Index Forecasts Available Year-Round

Information on air quality is available year-round in more than 100 U.S. cities and at www.epa.gov.airnow. As part of an ongoing effort to protect the American public from air pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency, together with state and local governments, is expanding current air quality forecasts to include daily information on particle pollution.

“The Bush Administration is working to further improve air quality by continuing to reduce car and truck emissions and developing new standards for non-road diesel vehicles in addition to a number of other efforts,” said EPA Acting Administrator Marianne Horinko. “Monitoring and emissions data show tremendous air quality improvement over the past three decades, but there’s more to do. As our work progresses, the expanded Air Quality Index forecasts will help millions of people protect their health – especially people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children,” Horinko said.

The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is a color-coded system designed to inform the public about daily air pollution levels in their communities. During the summer months, local broadcast meteorologists in nearly 300 U.S. cities use the AQI to provide daily ozone forecasts as part of their weather casts. The use of the AQI will be expanded to include daily, year-round forecasts for particle pollution. EPA has worked with state and local governments to make this information available for more than 100 cities. EPA expects this number to grow in the coming months as additional areas begin forecasting.

Unlike ozone pollution, which is known to be highest during the summer months, particle pollution can vary throughout the year. While unhealthy levels occur on only a limited number of days, the expanded AQI forecasts give people the information they need to protect their health all year.

“Particle pollution” refers to a mixture of microscopic solids and liquid droplets found in the air. Particles can be emitted directly – such as in smoke – or form when gases react in the atmosphere. Particle pollution comes from a number of sources, including cars and trucks, industry, fires, and power plants. Some of these particles, known as fine particles, can reach deep into the lungs, where they can affect both the lungs and the heart.

The EPA has already taken a number of actions to reduce particle pollution, including setting new stringent standards for cars and heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses. Similar tough standards are being developed for diesel engines used in large non-road equipment. The EPA’s annual air trends report and latest acid rain data show steady and significant air quality improvement. Since 1970, emissions of the six principal air pollutants have been cut 48 percent. According to EPA acid rain program data, in 2002 sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from power plants were nine percent lower than in 2000 and 41 percent lower than 1980. Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from power plants also continued a downward trend, measuring 4.5 million tons in 2002, a 13 percent reduction from 2000 and a 33 percent decline from 1990 emissions levels. EPA is also in the process of implementing the nation’s first standards for fine particles that are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller. In addition, President Bush has proposed the Clear Skies Act of 2003 – an innovative and aggressive program to reduce emissions from power plants. If passed by Congress, Clear Skies would achieve immediate and dramatic reductions in particle pollution.

High levels of particle pollution can affect the health of nearly every American, however certain groups, including people with heart or lung disease; older adults; and children, can also be at risk at lower levels. Particle pollution has been linked to asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, changes in heart rate, arrhythmias and heart attacks, among other health problems.

Air quality forecasts are available on local television stations, on state and local air quality agency web sites, on USA Today’s weather page and on The Weather Channel. Forecasts, health information, and maps showing real-time particle levels also are available on EPA’s AIRNow web site, at www.epa.gov/airnow.

To Visit The EPA Website Click Here.