TV Weather - Talking Points for Meteorologists

Section I - Ozone

Ozone Yellow

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is moderate (yellow).

Primary pollutant: Ozone

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is a concern for people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

If you are unusually sensitive to air pollution:

• Try to plan your strenuous outside activities when air quality is better.
• You might want to go for a walk instead of a jog.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing or chest discomfort.

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]

Ozone Orange

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is unhealthy for sensitive groups (code orange).

Primary pollutant: Ozone

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is unhealthy for people in sensitive groups.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

If you are in a sensitive group, including people with lung disease (such as asthma), active adults and children:

• You might want to go for a walk instead of a jog.
• Try to cut back your strenuous outside activities or reschedule them when air quality is better.
• Coaches, it's a good idea to rotate your players, especially if any have asthma.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing or chest discomfort.
• You may want to reschedule strenuous activities to avoid ozone during the afternoon and early evening hours.
• If you work outside, try to plan strenuous activities for the morning.

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]

Ozone Red

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is unhealthy for everyone (code red).

Primary pollutant: Ozone

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is unhealthy for everyone.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

Everyone:

• Try to cut back your strenuous outside activities or reschedule them when air quality is better.
• You might want to go for a walk instead of a jog.
• Coaches, it's a good idea to rotate your players.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing or breathing difficulty.

• You should plan your strenuous outside activities for another day when air quality is better.
• You should avoid strenuous outside activities today.
• Avoid strenuous work or exercise outside during afternoon or early evening hours.

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]

Ozone Purple

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is very unhealthy for everyone (code purple).
Ozone is at very unhealthy levels.

Primary pollutant: Ozone

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is very unhealthy for everyone.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

Everyone:

• You should significantly cut back on outside physical activities during the afternoon and early evening hours today.
• Coaches, you should reschedule your game when air quality is better.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing or breathing difficulty.

• You should avoid all outside physical activities today and plan them for another day when air quality is better.

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]

Section II -- Particle Pollution

Particles Yellow

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is moderate (code yellow).

Primary pollutant: Particles

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is a concern for people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

If you are unusually sensitive to air pollution:

• Try to plan your strenuous activities when air quality is better.
• You might want to go for a walk instead of a jog.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing or chest discomfort.

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]

Particles Orange

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is unhealthy for sensitive groups (code orange).

Primary pollutant: Particles

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is unhealthy for people in sensitive groups.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

If you are in a sensitive group, including people with heart or lung disease (such as asthma), older adults and children:

• You might want to go for a walk instead of a jog.
• Try to cut back your strenuous activities or reschedule them when air quality is better.
• Coaches, it's a good idea to rotate your players, especially if any have asthma.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing or chest discomfort.

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]

Particles Red

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is unhealthy for everyone (code red).

Primary pollutant: Particles

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is unhealthy for everyone.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

Everyone:

• Try to cut back your strenuous activities or reschedule them when air quality is better.
• You might want to go for a walk instead of a jog.
• Coaches, it's a good idea to rotate your players.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing or chest discomfort.

• You should plan your strenuous activities for another day when air quality is better.
• You should avoid strenuous activities today.

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]

Particles Purple

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is very unhealthy for everyone (code purple).

Primary pollutant: Particles

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is very unhealthy for everyone.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

Everyone:

• You should significantly cut back on physical activities today.
• Coaches, you should reschedule your game when air quality is better.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing or chest discomfort.

• You should avoid all physical activities today and plan them for another day when air quality is better.

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]

Section III -- Ozone and Particle Combinations

Use this grid when both pollutants are at unhealthy levels (orange, red, or purple). Always refer to the message for the higher-level pollutant.

For example, if the forecast is ozone orange/ particles red, refer to the red message.

Ozone Orange/Particles Orange

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is unhealthy for many people (code orange).

Primary pollutant: Ozone and Particles

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is unhealthy for many people.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

If you are in a sensitive group, including active adults, people with heart or lung disease (such as asthma), older adults, and children:

• Try to cut back your strenuous activities or reschedule them when air quality is better.
• You might want to go for a walk instead of a jog.
• Coaches, it's a good idea to rotate your players, especially if any have asthma.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing or chest discomfort.

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]

Ozone Red/Particles Orange
Ozone Orange/Particles Red
Ozone Red/Particles Red

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is unhealthy for everyone (code red).

Primary Pollutant: Ozone and Particles

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is unhealthy for everyone.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

Everyone:

• You should plan your strenuous activities for another day when air quality is better. This is especially important for people with heart or lung disease.
• You should avoid strenuous activities today.
• Coaches, you should consider rescheduling your game when air quality is better.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing or chest discomfort.
  

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]

Ozone Purple/ Particles Orange
Ozone Orange/ Particles Purple
Ozone Purple/Particles Red
Ozone Red/ Particles Purple
Ozone Purple/ Particles Purple

Key On-Air Message

The air quality forecast for tomorrow is very unhealthy for everyone (code purple).

Primary Pollutant: Ozone and Particles

Health Message/ What is the Significance?

Air quality is very unhealthy for everyone.

Supporting Message/ What Action Should People Take?

Everyone:

• You should plan your physical activities for another day when air quality is better. This is especially important for people with heart or lung disease.
• You should avoid physical activities today.
• Coaches, you should reschedule your game when air quality is better.
• Take precautions if you experience any unusual coughing or chest discomfort.

Additional Information:
For more real-time information on air quality, go to our Web site at [enter Web site] or [Other Web sites are to the state/local agency or EPA's site at http://epa.gov/airnow.]