Air quality in northwest Indiana counties prompts alert for Canadian wildfire smoke
Parts of northwest Indiana are forecast to face air quality alerts Thursday due to smoke and elevated ozone levels caused by the Canadian wildfires.
Jasper, Lake, Porter and Newton counties are among the areas that will be under the National Weather Service alert, which goes into effect just after 12 a.m. Thursday
The NWS recommend those with chronic respiratory issues to limit outdoor exposure as the smoke and ozone levels can be dangerous for them.
The ongoing inferno, which has tainted air quality in multiple states over the past few months, had over 1,000 reported fires just last week with 600 out of control, according to the New York Times.
Map of the entire US: Where is wildfire smoke and air quality at its worst?
Air quality map for Northwestern Indiana
US Air Quality Index map
How does AQI work?
The AQI is measured on a scale of 0 to 500. The higher the AQI values, the greater the level of air pollution and health concern there is, according AirNow.gov. Conversely, the lower the AQI values, the air quality is more satisfactory and the health risks are lower.
The EPA determines the AQI values based on five major air pollutants which are regulated by the Clean Air Act:
- Ground-level ozone
- Particle pollution (also known as particulate matter)
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
According to the National Weather Service, ground-level ozone and airborne particles present the greatest health threat to humans.
The AQI is measured in six levels:
- 0 to 50
- 51 to 100
- 101 to 150
- 151 to 200
- 201 to 300
- 301 and higher
Each has a different "level of concern" in relation to the air pollutants. It ranges from "good" to "hazardous." This is based on how someone would be affected after breathing in polluted air for a few hours or days.
Each level is also assigned a corresponding color, with green representing "good" ranging to maroon representing "hazardous."
If the AQI values are at or are below 100, air quality is generally deemed as satisfactory. However, once the AQI goes above that value, it is unhealthy. This impacts certain sensitive groups of people first, but will affect everyone as the AQI values increase.
Contributing: Olivia Munson