Outdoor Air Quality

Outdoor Air Quality

Outdoor air quality can play a major role in asthma management. When it's too hot, too cold, and any day the air outside is thick with pollution, those with asthma are at a greater rish to experience an asthma attack. 

Indiana has two programs that work to monitor air quality every day, throughout the state.

Smogwatch, a program of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), is a website with daily alerts regarding outdoor air quality throughout the various regions in Indiana. 

And Knozone is an Indianapolis-specific project, alerting the vast population of the metro air to problematic air quality days, and taking the extra initiatives to broadcast air quality alerts to the public each day, through email, local news media, and on electronic highway signs throughout the metro area.

When action days or air quality alerts are issued, it's because the Air Quality Index (AQI) has hit a certain level of risk. For those with asthma, and AQI range of 101 or higher means you are at a greater risk for an asthma attack.  On these days, it's recommmended that you stay inside, in a well-controlled temperature environment with good ventilation. 

Good     0 - 50
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.

Moderate     51 - 100
Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be moderate health concerns for a very small number of people (such as those sensitive to ozone).

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups    101 - 150
Members of sensitive groups (such as those with asthma, lung disease, or heart disease) may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected when the AQI is in this range.

Unhealthy     151 - 200
At this level, nearly everyone may begin to experience the effects of air pollution. Plus, members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Very Unhealthy      201 - 300
At levels this high, everyone may experience serious health effects.

Hazardous     300 and up
Here, air pollution is at emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

. . .

The general population is asked to do several things to help the AQI on days when it reaches 101 or higher:

• Leave early to avoid morning rush-hour
• Carpool to work, lunch or school
• Bring your lunch rather than drive to lunch
• Use public transport like IndyGo whenever possible
• Use a programmable thermostat
• Avoid vehicle idling, such as restaurant or bank drive-thrus
• Don't burn trash or leaves
• Turn your lights off when not in use
• Instead of a Sunday drive, go for a walk or bike ride
• Bike to work, the store or the bus stop
• Refuel your vehicle and mow after 6 p.m.
• Reducing the use of chemicals or pain that contain volatile organic compounds