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How are Ozone and Particulate Matter measured?
The Clean Air Act of 1970 and its 1977 and 1990 amendments were created to enforce air emission standards in order to protect human health and the environment. The EPA ‘polices’ the air by continually monitoring pollutant concentrations with continuous air monitors that are strategically situated across the state. Monitors placed in Sullivan County measure levels of ozone and particulate matter. The continuous air monitors collect and analyze the air for these two pollutants every hour. Once collected, the data are checked for quality and accuracy. Then, an 8-hour average concentration for ozone and a 24-hour average for particulate matter (2.5) are calculated in parts per billion (ppb) and micrograms per cubic meter (
µg/m3) respectively. Finally, readings are used to create forecasts for the following two days. These forecasts are used to assess our community’s air quality. For example, when the forecast for ozone is above the standard, our local Ozone Action Partnership committee will call an Air Action Day (see below for details about this). The forecasted figures are converted into indexes for easy interpretation. The charts below will help you understand the forecasted values.
- Today’s forecast was made yesterday.
- Forecasts are estimated to be 95% accurate.
- Forecasts displayed on our website are updated at midnight, Sunday through Friday.
- Ozone is forecasted April through September.
- PM 2.5 is forecasted throughout the year.
Ozone Forecast
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9/6/2010 |
50 |
Good |
| Best for outdoor activity. No health impacts are expected at this time. |
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9/7/2010 |
64 |
Moderate |
| Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. |
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| Best for outdoor activity. No health impacts are expected at this time. |
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| Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. |
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Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
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| Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. |
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| Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor activity. |
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| Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. |
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PM2.5 Forecast
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9/6/2010 |
48 |
Good |
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9/7/2010 |
52 |
Moderate |
| Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. |
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| Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. |
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Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
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| People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. |
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| People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. |
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| People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. |
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Air Action Days
- Follow the health directive associated with the air quality index indicated
- No open burning – it is illegal on Air Action Days
- Turn thermostat up 2-4 degrees
- Drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle
- Eliminate a trip in your vehicle
- Limit the number of “cold starts”
- Car pool
- Work from home
- Don’t idle at drive throughs
- Put off mowing your yard
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