| Good |
Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. |
Air pollution is minimal and there is little health risk.
tips
|
Precautions to take
Fine particles or particluate
matter (PM2.5) |
Ozone |
Carbon Monoxide |
Sulfur Dioxide |
| None. It's a great day to be active outside. |
|
| Moderate |
Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. |
People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke may begin to have breathing problems.
tips
|
Precautions to take
Fine particles or particluate
matter (PM2.5) |
Ozone |
Carbon Monoxide |
Sulfur Dioxide |
|
Who needs to be concerned?
People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke.
What should I do?
Unusually Sensitive people should limit outdoor activities or do activities that take less effort, such as walking instead of running.
|
Who needs to be concerned?
Some people who may be unusually Sensitive to ozone.
What should I do?
Unusually Sensitive people: Consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. These are signs to take it a little easier.
Everyone else: It’s a good day to be active outside.
|
None. |
None. |
|
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. |
Many more people than average may have breathing problems or have worsened symptoms of existing lung or heart disease.tips |
Precautions to take
Fine particles or particluate
matter (PM2.5) |
Ozone |
Carbon Monoxide |
Sulfur Dioxide |
|
Who needs to be concerned?
Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, infants, children, adults older than 65, pregnant women, or people who have had a stroke.
What should I do?
Sensitive groups should limit time spent outdoors.
|
Who needs to be concerned?
Sensitive groups include people with lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children and teenagers, and people who are active outdoors.
What should I do?
Sensitive groups: Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Take more breaks, do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower.
People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy.
|
People with heart disease, such as angina, should reduce heavy exertion and avoid sources of carbon monoxide, such as heavy traffic.
|
People with asthma should consider reducing exertion outdoors.
|
|
| Unhealthy |
Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. |
Many more people than average may have breathing problems or have worsened symptoms of existing lung or heart disease.tips |
Precautions to take
Fine particles or particluate
matter (PM2.5) |
Ozone |
Carbon Monoxide |
Sulfur Dioxide |
|
Who needs to be concerned?
Everyone.
What should I do?
Sensitive groups: People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, people who have had a stroke, infants, children, pregnant women and adults over age 65 should stay indoors.
Everyone else: Limit time spent outdoors. Avoid exercising outdoors (including sports teams) and choose non-strenuous indoor activities.
|
Who needs to be concerned?
Everyone.
What should I do?
Sensitive groups: Avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower. Consider moving activities indoors.
People with asthma, keep quick-relief medicine handy.
Everyone else: Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Take more breaks, do less intense activities. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower.
|
People with heart disease, such as angina, should reduce moderate exertion and avoid sources of carbon monoxide, such as heavy traffic. |
Children, asthmatics, and people with heart or lung disease should reduce exertion outdoors. |
|
| Very Unhealthy |
Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. |
Some healthy people can have breathing problems. People with asthma, lung and heart disease have an increased risk of symptoms or worsening of their disease. Studies show the number of people hospitalized for lung diseases can be 50 percent more than normal.tips |
Precautions to take
Fine particles or particluate
matter (PM 2.5) |
Ozone |
Carbon Monoxide |
Sulfur Dioxide |
|
Who needs to be concerned?
Everyone.
What should I do?
Sensitive groups: People with asthma, lung and heart disease, and people who have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.
Everyone else: Stay indoors, do only light activities and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask.
Check with your local health department for health information.
|
Who needs to be concerned?
Everyone.
What should I do?
Sensitive groups: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Move activities indoors or reschedule to a time when air quality is better.
People with asthma, keep quick-relief medicine handy.
Everyone else: Avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower. Consider moving activities indoors.
|
People with heart disease, such as angina, should avoid exertion and sources of carbon monoxide, such as heavy traffic. |
Children, asthmatics, and people with heart or lung disease should avoid outdoor exertion. Everyone else should reduce exertion outdoors. |
|
| Hazardous |
Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. |
More healthy people are likely to have breathing problems. The people most susceptible are those with asthma or lung disease, diabetes, have had a stroke, infants, children, pregnant women, and adults older than 65. Studies suggest more people with asthma, lung or heart disease need medical attention.tips |
Precautions to take
Fine particles or particluate
matter (PM2.5) |
Ozone |
Carbon Monoxide |
Sulfur Dioxide |
|
Who needs to be concerned?
Everyone.
What should I do?
Sensitive groups: People with asthma, lung and heart disease, and people who have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.
Everyone else: Stay indoors, do only light activities and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask.
Check with your local health department for health information.
|
Who needs to be concerned?
Everyone.
What should I do?
Everyone: Avoid all physical activity outdoors.
|
Beyond scale for this pollutant. |
Beyond scale for this pollutant. |
|