Air Quality Days: Sample Air Quality Action Day Alerts

The Air Quality Index (AQI) was developed by the EPA to make information about air quality easy to understand.  Air Quality Action Days (or Air Quality Alerts) occur in the Eastern Panhandle when the AQI values are predicted to rise above 100.  This is considered a Orange level alert.  The two higher levels of alerts are Red and Purple.

Children and individuals with existing respiratory problems are at a higher risk during an air quality alert.

During an air quality alert, everyone should be mindful of the amount of time they spend outdoors. For children, the elderly and individuals with existing respiratory problem, an air quality alert can have an immediate affect on their health.  Over time and with repeated exposure, even healthy individuals will feel the affect of excessive ground level ozone pollution.

Listed below are ten actions you can take everyday and especially during an air quality alert, to reduce air pollution and improve air quality.

- Refuel at night.  This reduces the VOC's you put in the air during the critical part of the day.

- Keep your vehicle well maintained.  It will run more efficiently and produce less pollution.

- Explore alternate commuting options.  Can you walk or bike to work?

- Practice trip chaining.  You probably already do this.  Combine many trips into one to save time, money and clean the air.

-Avoid drive-thru windows at banks, fast food restaurants, cleaners, etc.  Park your car and enter the building.  You will save on fuel costs and clear the air.

- Limit driving - walk and bicycle whenever possible.  It is good exercise and helps the environment.

- Postpone mowing your lawn during an air quality alert.   This will reduce pollutants that can create ozone.

- Limit or avoid using charcoal grills.  Charcoal lighter fluid produces VOC's.

- Limit your use of household products.  Aerosol cans, nail polish and oil based paints produce harmful VOC's that can also create excessive ozone.

- Conserve energy at home, work or wherever you can.  You can save money and help the environment - both at the same time.