Air Quality Index
hideThe Air Quality Index (AQI) (also known as the Air Pollution Index (API) or Pollutant Standard Index (PSI)) is a number used by government agencies to characterize the quality of the air at a given location. As the AQI increases, an increasingly large percentage of the population is likely to experience increasingly severe adverse health effects. To compute the AQI requires an air pollutant concentration from a monitor or model. The function used to convert from air pollutant concentration to AQI varies by pollutant, and is different in different countries. Air quality index values are divided into ranges, and each range is assiged a descriptor and a color code. Standardized public health advisories are associated with each AQI range. An agency might also encourage members of the public to take public transportation or work from home when AQI levels are high.
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News tagged with air quality
States call on EPA for tougher air pollution regulations
Nov 06, 2009 |
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Twelve states and the District of Columbia urged the Environmental Protection Agency Thursday to adopt more rigorous national policies so they can meet federal air pollution reduction requirements for the region.
Common plants can eliminate indoor air pollutants
Nov 04, 2009 |
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Air quality in homes, offices, and other indoor spaces is becoming a major health concern, particularly in developed countries where people often spend more than 90% of their time indoors. Surprisingly, indoor ...
Researchers discover links between city walkability and air pollution exposure
Nov 02, 2009 |
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A new study compares neighborhoods' walkability (degree of ease for walking) with local levels of air pollution and finds that some neighborhoods might be good for walking, but have poor air quality. Researchers involved ...
Massive monitoring project to identify dairy air quality parameters
Oct 19, 2009 |
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Optimizing expertise and equipment to get solid answers both producers and government agencies can use was the goal of a massive two-week air quality monitoring project at an eastern New Mexico dairy, according to project ...
Air quality improvements over the last decade may be a factor in fewer ear infections
Oct 07, 2009 |
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Strides in improving the nation's air quality over the past ten years may be a factor in fewer cases of ear infections (otitis media) in children. These results are according to new research presented at the 2009 American ...
For safer emergencies, give your power generator some space (w/ Video)
Oct 06, 2009 |
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To subdue the steaming heat of hurricanes or to thaw out during a blizzard, gasoline-powered, portable generators are a lifeline during weather emergencies when homes are cut off without electricity. But these generators ...
Pollution from California Wildfires Spreads Across the United States (w/ Video)
Space & Earth / Earth Sciences
Sep 04, 2009 |
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Beginning August 26, 2009, and continuing into September 2009, a large wildfire in the Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles known as the Station Fire burned more than 140,000 acres through September ...
Carbon monoxide linked to heart problems in elderly
Aug 31, 2009 |
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Exposure to carbon monoxide, even at levels well below national limits, is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for the elderly with heart problems, according to a study published today in Circulation: Jo ...
They're alive! Megacities breathe, consume energy, excrete wastes and pollute
Aug 18, 2009 |
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A scientific trend to view the world's biggest cities as analogous to living, breathing organisms is fostering a deep new understanding of how poor air quality in megacities can harm residents, people living ...
Wildfires set to increase 50 percent by 2050
Space & Earth / Earth Sciences
Jul 28, 2009 |
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The area of forest burnt by wildfires in the United States is set to increase by over 50% by 2050, according to research by climate scientists.
Improved air quality during Beijing Olympics could inform pollution-curbing policies
Jul 24, 2009 |
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The air in Beijing during the 2008 Olympics was cleaner than the previous year's, due to aggressive efforts by the Chinese government to curtail traffic, increase emissions standards and halt construction in preparation for ...
Study advises Chinese government to change fuel in millions of households
Jun 19, 2009 |
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Scientists in China are recommending that the Chinese government consider phasing out the direct burning of traditional chunks of coal in millions of households. It suggests that the government substitute ...
London bids to be world's greenest by 2012: mayor
May 18, 2009 |
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Mayor Boris Johnson outlined plans to make London "the cleanest, greenest city on earth" by the 2012 Olympics and called for commitments from other world cities at a climate change conference.
Report: Most Americans in areas with unhealthy air
Apr 29, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Sixty percent of Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels, despite a growing green movement and more stringent laws aimed at improving air quality, the American Lung Association ...
Researchers apply new statistical test: Particulate matter reaches downtown Pittsburgh
Mar 17, 2009 |
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Carnegie Mellon University's Cliff I. Davidson, Joseph B. Kadane and Nanjun Chu have found that polluted air in the highly populated East End areas of Pittsburgh are more affected by major sources to the city's southeast ...
