Air Quality Index
EPA's Air Quality Index Gives Citizens Critical Information to Take Necessary Health Precautions, Including a Category for Those With Special Health Conditions Like Asthma. The Air Quality Index provides a uniform format nationwide as well as health messages for sensitive groups, such as children with asthma. This index is used by local weather forecasters throughout the country to provide improved information about levels of local air pollution and the precautions people should take to protect themselves on days when air pollution exceeds health standards and poses threats to public health. This effort is part of the EPA's longstanding commitment to expand the public's right to know about environmental conditions in their communities. The features of the Air Quality Index include:
- A category that provides specific warnings for sensitive groups, like children with asthma and others with special respiratory conditions.
- Detailed warnings about how all people should protect themselves and their families from harmful levels of air pollution.
- Warnings based on the most up-to-date scientific information on the known health effects of air pollution levels.