Weather Tidbits: The Air Quality Index

This edition of Weather Tidbits will be discussing the air quality index. The air quality index, or AQI, is a scale used to report daily air quality with associated health effects. An AQI of 0-50 indicates good air quality, while an AQI between 50 and 100 indicates moderate air quality. With moderate air quality, only a few unusually sensitive people may have a few health concerns. When the AQI is between 101-150, air quality is unhealthy for some, including those with heat or lung disease, along with older adults and children who should limit outdoor activities. An AQI between 151 and 200 is unhealthy, and everyone should limit outdoor activities, while unusually sensitive people remain indoors. An AQI between 201 and 300 is very unhealthy, and all should avoid prolonged exposure. AQI over 301 is hazardous and negatively impacts everyone’s health even for non-sensitive people.