Kids Air Quality Index
Have you checked out the weather reports on TV or in your local news paper lately? If so, you may have noticed that air pollution levels seem higher. Don't worry. Our air isn't getting worse. In June, the Valley Air District started using the Air Quality Index (AQI) instead of the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) to let people know when the air is good or unhealthy. The AQI measures air pollution over a longer period of time so it gives us a better picture of how bad it is for our bodies when we breathe dirty air.
Take a look at the chart below with an adult. Then call 1(800) SMOG-INFO to find out what the air quality is today in your area. (you can also check for it on this website). When the AQI goes over 100, you should slow down or play indoors especially if you have asthma.
| Index Values | Air
Quality Description
(Color Description) |
Health Cautionary Statement |
| 0-50 | Good
(Green) |
No limitations
|
| 51 - 100 | Moderate
(Light Yellow) |
Extremely sensitive children and adults, especially with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should consider limiting outdoor exertion. |
| 101 - 150 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
(Orange) |
Sensitive children, adults and especially those with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. |
| 151 - 200 | Unhealthy
(Red) |
Sensitive children and adults should avoid outdoor exertion and everyone else should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during peak ozone periods. |
| 201 - 300 | Very Unhealthy
(Purple) |
Sensitive children and adults should avoid outdoor activities and remain indoors. Everyone else should avoid outdoor exertion. |
| Over 300 | Hazardous
(Deep Purple) |
Everyone, especially children, should avoid outdoor activities and remain indoors. |
