Air pollution has been linked to several health problems like asthma, heart disease, cancer, prolonged breathing problems, and others. Bad outdoor air quality and bad indoor air quality can have lasting health consequences. Yes! The quality of the air is an important component of any individual’s living environment. Particulate Matter size chart showing how much smaller PM2.5 and PM10 is than fine beach sand and a human hair. S hould I be concerned about the air quality?įigure 2. The Oregon Health Authority has published public health guidance for outdoor activities during wildfire events which uses the current AQI value and length of time students will be outside for educators to modify activities and remain protective of student health. Wearing correctly fitted N95 masks is also recommended when outside. Leaving the area to find better air quality is recommended. Everyone should avoid being outside as much as possible. This category represents the worse air quality. “Hazardous” air quality is an AQI between 301-500 and is represented by a maroon color. Wearing correctly fitted N95 masks is suggested when outside. When air quality is this bad outside, everyone should avoid going outside as much as possible. At this category, the risk of health effects is increased for everyone. “Very Unhealthy” air quality is an AQI between 201-300 and is represented by a purple color. Everyone should limit how much time is spent outside, and sensitive groups should avoid going outside as much as possible. At this category some members of the general public may experience health effects members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. “Unhealthy” air quality is an AQI between 151-200 and is represented by a red color. Sensitive groups should limit how long they spend outside. The general public is less likely to be affected at this category, however everyone should avoid outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing, like working out, running, or playing sports. Anyone with heart or lung disease, older adults, anyone pregnant, and children (including teenagers), are all considered a sensitive group. At this category members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” air quality is an AQI between 101-150 and is represented by an orange color. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. At this category air quality is considered acceptable. “Moderate” air quality is an AQI between 51-100 and is represented by a yellow color. At this category air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. “Good” air quality is an AQI between 0-50 and is represented by a green color. The AQI also provides recommendations to protect health. The AQI is divided into six color categories that report how bad the air quality is for human health. The Air Quality Index (AQI) categories and colors. The higher the AQI the worse the air quality.įigure 1. The AQI is a unit-less scale of 0 to 500 that is reports how good or bad the air quality is. This tool is called the Air Quality Index (AQI). The air quality is reported for the five major air pollutants (ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide) regulated by the Clean Air Act. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a tool to report air quality to the public in a simple and clear way. How can I tell if the air quality is good or bad? LRAPA runs a Home Wood Heating program in Eugene, Springfield, and Oakridge to help protect air quality during air stagnation episodes. Wood stoves and fireplaces are the biggest contributors to poor air quality during these periods. During these air stagnation events, air quality can gradually worsen as pollution continues to be added to the unmoving air. This is when the airmass in Lane County is stationary and unmoving for multiple days – usually when a strong region of high pressure is just off Oregon’s coast. During this season, wildfires can ignite, grow, and create smoke that worsens air quality.ĭuring the winter and spring, poor air quality generally happens during periods of air stagnation. The Pacific Northwest’s warming and drying climate has increased the length of the wildfire season. Wildfire season can begin as early as May and continue as late as November. However, human-generated sources of air pollution like wood stoves, fireplaces, car exhaust, and industrial emissions can also contribute to poor air quality. In Lane County, the worst air quality is created by both local and distant wildfires. There are many sources of air pollution that can affect air quality. Satellite imagery of wildfire smoke in Oregon on September 10, 2020.
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