Understanding how air quality affects your health and learning how to protect yourself and your family.
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Air quality is acceptable; however, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.
Long-term exposure to poor air quality can lead to chronic respiratory diseases, reduced lung function, and increased risk of lung cancer.
Air pollution can cause heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems by affecting blood vessels and heart function.
Children exposed to poor air quality may experience reduced lung development, cognitive problems, and increased risk of asthma.
Studies show that long-term exposure to air pollution can reduce life expectancy by several years.