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The Air Quality Index
The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is a daily public report
that the Department of Environmental Quality is required (by EPA)
to make in each metropolitan area with a population of more than
350,000. The AQI is based upon the previous day's monitored concentrations
of the criteria pollutants (i.e. particulate matter, ozone, carbon
monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide). The AQI report
can also be used to predict the levels of the criteria pollutants.
This is important when the pollutants are expected to reach unhealthy
levels because it gives sensitive people time to take precautions.
Cautionary statements for the AQI are pollutant specific and can
be found on the AQI
Explanation Chart.
In Oklahoma, we report the AQI for the Tulsa, Oklahoma
City and Lawton metropolitan areas. You can access the AQI in the upper right corner of almost every air quality web page. Click on the AQI icon then choose a city from the drop-down box. Or access the Oklahoma City AQI by calling 405-702-4234.
Archived AQI data from 2012 through yesterday is now available.
Ozone Watches
Each day from April to November, we check the weather forecast, current ozone levels and available ozone models to try to forecast ozone concentrations across the state. Ozone watches are called on days when tomorrow's ozone levels could reach levels unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse on the Air Quality Index. When an Ozone Watch is issued, a banner will be shown on the DEQ Home Page. Information will be provided there to indicate what parts of the state are forecasted to be affected. The local councils of government will be notified to alert them of any ozone watch issued for their area.
Air Quality Health Advisories
An Air Quality Health Advisory is a graphic email notification which tells the subscriber that air pollution levels are currently unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse. Health Advisories may be issued for any monitored pollutant that reaches unhealthy levels, but usually ozone and inhalable particulate matter are the pollutants of concern. The public is encouraged to sign-up for this service.
Who can use this information?
Anyone interested in air pollution can use this information.
Sensitive individuals may find it very helpful in planning their
outdoor and/or strenuous activities. Sensitive individuals may include
asthmatics, people with heart or respiratory disease, the elderly,
and children. People who work or play a lot outdoors can use it
as well. Groups that could benefit from using the AQI include the
elderly, nursing homes, schools, day cares, as well as athletes
and people who work outside.
The AQI report is the mechanism for calling Air Pollutant Watches (Ozone, PM-2.5 and CO). Everyone is encouraged to do their part to reduce pollution, but especially on Watch days. Follow this link for a list of 10 simple steps to improve air quality.
Page last updated:
March 9, 2015
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