:: Section 7
Health Effects of Atmospheric Aerosol
III. Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution
The air quality index (AQI) tells you how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health
effects might be a concern for you. The following table shows how the AQI level was set based on particle concentration.
| AQI |
PM2.5 24-hr (µg/m3) |
PM10 24-hr (µg/m3) |
| 50 |
15 |
50 |
| 100 |
40 |
150 |
| 150 |
65 |
250 |
| 200 |
150 |
350 |
| 300 |
250 |
420 |
 |
Definition |
|
| PM2.5: Particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 µm |
| PM10: Particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 µm |
Below lists the air quality index/color code/health advisory for particle pollution.
| Air Quality |
Air Quality Index |
Health Advisory |
| Good |
0 - 50 |
None |
| Moderate |
51 - 100 |
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
101 - 150 |
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. |
| Unhealthy |
151 - 200 |
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. |
| Very Unhealthy (Alert) |
201 - 300 |
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. |
There are also other air quality indices such as for ozone, CO, etc. Click here for more information on air quality index.
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