Email: Dan Salkovitz or Kristen Stumpf or Mike Kiss
Forecasts updated October 1, 2013 1:43 pm EDT.
Region | Current conditions as of October 1, 2013 6:39 pm EDT |
Forecast for October 1, 2013 | Forecast for October 2, 2013 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Estimated Air Quality Index | Primary Pollutant |
Forecast | Primary Pollutant |
Forecast | Primary Pollutant |
|
Richmond | Good - 40 | O3 | Good | PM2.5 | Good | PM2.5 |
Hampton Roads | Good - 41 | O3 | Good | PM2.5 | Good | PM2.5 |
Northern Virginia | Good - 37 | O3 | Moderate | PM2.5 | Moderate | PM2.5 |
Roanoke | Good - 30 | O3 | Good | PM2.5 | Good | PM2.5 |
Winchester | Good - 47 | PM2.5 | Moderate | PM2.5 | Moderate | PM2.5 |
Virginia DEQ monitors level of ozone and particle pollution from stations around Virginia. Both of these are pollutants that, at high levels, may raise health concerns in some people.
Ground-level ozone is the main ingredient in smog. It is a colorless gas formed by the reaction of sunlight with vehicle emissions, gasoline fumes, solvent vapors, and power plant and industrial emissions. Ozone formation is most likely in hot, dry weather when the air is fairly still.
Particle pollution monitoring is now available on the web for select areas in Virginia. Particle pollution is made up of particles found in soot, dust, smoke, and fumes. The burning of coal, oil, diesel, and other fuels produces these particles. The particles are small enough to enter deep into the lungs and cause health problems.
Ozone and particle pollution have been linked to short-term health concerns, particularly among children, asthmatics, people with heart or lung disease, and older adults. The effects of these pollutants can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise when levels are high. You can use the forecast for the following day to plan your activities during the summer months. More information on the health effects of air pollutants is available from AirNow.
PLEASE NOTE: This data has not been verified by the Virginia DEQ and may change. This is the most current data, but it is not official until it has been certified by our technical staff. Data is collected from Virginia DEQ ambient monitoring sites and may include data collected by other outside agencies. This data is updated hourly. All times shown are in local standard time unless otherwise indicated.