Some days the air is better than others, and that’s why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided it was important to put a system in place that measures air quality.

What Is the Air Quality Index?

In 1976, the EPA designed a national index for air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a daily report that’s easy to understand and helps Americans know if spending more time indoors on any particular day is a better option for your respiratory system.

The AQI is broken down into color-coded categories. Each category represents a different level of concern and comes with an explanation about the air quality for a particular area. The AQI also indicates who may be affected and ways you can cut down on your exposure to air pollutants.

What Pollutants Does AQI Cover?

The AQI covers five major pollutants:

• Ozone
  Ozone is a gas created by chemical reactions. It occurs when pollutants from cars, refineries, chemical and power plants, industrial boilers and a variety of other sources chemically react with sunlight.
• Particle pollution
  Particle pollution is always present in the air we breathe – both outside and inside. It’s a mixture of things like dust, dirt, pollen or even acids and inorganic compounds that become suspended in the air.
• Carbon monoxide
  Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. It comes from cars, trucks and machinery that burn fossil fuels. Gas appliances and leaking chimneys or furnaces can also create carbon monoxide.
• Nitrogen dioxide
  Nitrogen dioxide is a gas that forms when things like coal, gas, wood, natural gas or diesel are burned at high temperatures.
• Sulfur dioxide
  Sulfur dioxide is a gas that forms when things like coal, oil or diesel are burned. Coal-fired power plants, electricity generation, industrial boilers, petroleum refining and metal processing are large sources of sulfur dioxide.

All five pollutants fall under the Clean Air Act which regulates air emissions to protect public health. The daily AQI for each of them is based on air quality and scientific information standards.

What are the Air Quality Index Categories?

There are six color-coded categories for the Air Quality Index. Each category has a numerical value and the lower the number the better the air you’re breathing.

• Green is the lowest level of concern for air quality. It means the air quality is good and there is little to no risk for air pollution.
• The color yellow indicates a moderate risk. The EPA considers the air quality to be acceptable in the yellow range but it may pose a risk for those who are highly sensitivity to air pollution.
• If the air quality is coded orange that means it is unhealthy for anyone who has respiratory issues.
• Red indicates the air quality is unhealthy for everyone. The general public may have breathing issues, and those with underlying conditions can experience serious side effects.
• Purple means the air quality is very unhealthy and everyone’s risk of health problems increases.
• Maroon is the highest alert level. It means the air quality is hazardous and a health warning is issued for everyone.

What Do The Different AQI Levels Mean?

An AQI reading between 0 and 50 means that the air quality is good and poses little to no health risk to your pets. However, as the AQI rises above 50, the risk of health issues increases. At levels above 100, pets with pre-existing respiratory conditions, like asthma, may experience increased breathing difficulties and reduced appetite. It is recommended that pets with respiratory issues avoid outdoor exertion at this point.

At levels above 150, all pets should limit their time outdoors as the air quality can significantly impact their health. Pets may experience excessive watering of the eyes, coughing, decreased energy, and labored breathing. Even healthy pets may experience respiratory symptoms at this point.

AQI levels above 200 are considered very unhealthy for pets and should be avoided at all costs. Pets exposed to this level of air pollution may experience severe respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath and chest tightness. If your pets experience these symptoms, they should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.

It’s important to keep track of AQI readings in your area, especially during periods of wildfire smoke or other air pollution events. People and pets with chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of experiencing adverse health effects from these events and should receive extra protection during times of poor air quality.

How Can I Find the AQI for My Location?

It’s a good idea to be aware of the Air Quality Index on a regular basis. For anyone with respiratory issues that range from allergies to lung cancer, it’s even more important to know the quality of the air outside.

There are several ways to find out what the AQI is for any given day. The EPA requires cities with a population of more than 350,000 to report the Air Quality Index daily. Many smaller cities will report the AQI as a public service.

You can check it daily by going to https://www.airnow.gov/ and typing in your zip code. There’s also an app you can download called EPA AIRNow, so you can see what the air quality is right from your smartphone or tablet.

Tuning in to your local newscast is another way to find out the Air Quality Index. It is often reported during the local weather segments.

How Can Air Quality Impact My Health?

Air is obviously vital to our lives. We need it to survive. But dirty, pollution-filled air can be bad for us immediately and over the long term. When the air quality is bad, it can be difficult to breathe – even for the healthiest among us. It can immediately cause irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat. Prolonged exposure can cause serious lung problems and heart disease.

Studies have shown that air pollution can affect lung development and lead to emphysema, asthma and even COPD. Particle pollution and nitrogen oxide are factors in chronic bronchitis. Particle pollution can also cause your arteries to calcify quicker and impair the way your blood vessels function. And all five of the air pollutants the Air Quality Index measures have been shown to increase the risk for breast and lung cancer, as well as lymphoma.

Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with pre-existing heart and lung conditions can be especially vulnerable to air pollution. And you can be extremely healthy, but live near an industrial source of air pollution that can end up causing you long-term issues.

What Can I Do When the Air Quality Index is Unhealthy?

The air quality can still affect you – even if you’re healthy. So, one of the first things you can do to protect yourself and your family is to be aware. Monitoring AQI is the first step towards improving your personal air quality, however once that is under control you will want to look into the number of smaller particles in your environment. Check the Air Quality Index regularly, especially on days when the weather is warmer. Heat and sunlight react with the pollutants the AQI measures and can cause poor air quality.

If the level for any given day is orange, red, purple or maroon – stay inside as much as possible. Those colors indicate pollution in the air is high, unhealthy and can cause serious issues for you. Avoid exercise and other vigorous activities outside. If you have respiratory diseases, poor air quality can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and fatigue. If you have heart disease, poor air quality can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain or tightness and heart palpitations.

We may not be able to control the air quality outside, but to improve the air quality in your home on a consistent basis, consider investing in an air purifier. One equipped with a HEPA filter is your best choice. HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air and the filter will pull more than 99 percent of contaminants out of the air and push clean air back out. It will help everyone in your home breathe easier, especially those who have respiratory issues.