AIRNOW A New Way to Look at the Atmosphere Template Presentation for Regional Toolkit

What is AIRNOW? Cooperative effort between U.S. EPA, NPS, state and local air agencies to collect, quality assure, and transfer real-time and forecast air quality information to the publicCooperative effort between U.S. EPA, NPS, state and local air agencies to collect, quality assure, and transfer real-time and forecast air quality information to the public Utilizes the Air Quality Index (AQI); a national reporting program that links air quality levels to cautionary health messagesUtilizes the Air Quality Index (AQI); a national reporting program that links air quality levels to cautionary health messages Fast and easy access for the media to deliver understandable air quality information that will help the public make good health- based decisions about their daily activitiesFast and easy access for the media to deliver understandable air quality information that will help the public make good health- based decisions about their daily activities

Why Air Quality? Based on air quality data from 2002, “approximately 146 million people live in counties where monitored air was unhealthy…” -- EPA 2002 Status -- EPA 2002 Status and Trends Report and Trends Report Number of People Living in Counties With Air Quality Concentrations above the Level of the NAAQS* in 2002 * National Ambient Air Quality Standards

What’s Available Now? -Real-time ozone animations animations -Next-day AQI forecasts forecasts

How is it being used? On Air -Local/regional coverage coverage -National coverage coverage

… and in Print h

So What’s Next? Expanded Air Quality Index forecasting Your forecast to breathe by

Expanded AQI Forecasting Millions of people Who:Millions of people Year-round monitoring & forecasting air quality What:Year-round monitoring & forecasting air quality Available for cities across the U.S. Where: Available for cities across the U.S. Launched Nationally October 1 When:Launched Nationally October 1 The same familiar 5-color system How: The same familiar 5-color system “Today is forecast to be a code red day. This means that air quality is unhealthy for everyone and everyone should avoid strenuous activities.”

Why: Particle Pollution Microscopic particles in the airMicroscopic particles in the air Also called particulate matter, PM, fine particles or hazeAlso called particulate matter, PM, fine particles or haze Creates atmospheric hazeCreates atmospheric haze Comes from vehicle exhaust, fires, industrial and agricultural processesComes from vehicle exhaust, fires, industrial and agricultural processes Can be breathed deep into the lungs and causes significant health threats…Can be breathed deep into the lungs and causes significant health threats…

The doctor says particle pollution… Aggravates lung disease including asthmaAggravates lung disease including asthma Aggravates heart disease including congestive heart failureAggravates heart disease including congestive heart failure Resulting in:Resulting in: –More premature deaths –More admissions to hospitals –More trips to emergency rooms –More visits to doctors’ offices –More school and work absences –More symptom days

So Who’s at Risk? People with heart or lung diseasePeople with heart or lung disease (including asthma) –Conditions make them vulnerable Older adultsOlder adults –Greater prevalence of heart and lung disease ChildrenChildren –More likely to be active –Breathe more air per pound –Bodies still developing

What can you show?

What do you say? AQI color code Who is affected?What is the significance?What action should people take? Green –Air quality is goodEnjoy activities YellowPeople who are unusually sensitive to air pollution Air quality is a concern for people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution People unusually sensitive to air pollution: Plan strenuous activities when air quality is better OrangePeople with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children Air quality is unhealthy for people in sensitive groups Sensitive groups: Cut back or reschedule strenuous activities RedEveryone, especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children Air quality is unhealthy for everyone Everyone: Cut back or reschedule strenuous activities Sensitive groups: Avoid strenuous activities PurpleEveryone, especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children Air quality is very unhealthy for everyone Everyone: Significantly cut back on physical activities Sensitive groups: Avoid all physical activities

One more time… Particles are a significant health problemParticles are a significant health problem Affect different groups of peopleAffect different groups of people A year-round problemA year-round problem Both indoors and outdoorsBoth indoors and outdoors Day and nightDay and night You can make a difference!You can make a difference!

Get the Tools You Need At-a-glance messagesAt-a-glance messages Health messages and tipsHealth messages and tips Web updates to materials you can use to talk about air qualityWeb updates to materials you can use to talk about air quality National and regional real-time maps and graphicsNational and regional real-time maps and graphics