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Labette Health

Protect your lungs: Check your AQI IQ

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s air quality index (AQI) shows you when the air is clean or polluted. Find it on your weather app or at AirNow.gov. You can use the AQI daily to protect your lungs from things like smog or wildfire smoke.

 

ORANGE AND ABOVE = TAKE PRECAUTIONS

Green. (0–50) Good. Enjoy the outdoors.

Yellow. (51–100) Moderate. Air quality is OK for most people.

Orange. (101–150) Unhealthy for sensitive groups. This includes children and those with lung disease. If that’s you, keep outdoor activities brief and don’t exert yourself.

Red. (151–200) Unhealthy. Limit outdoor activities. Avoid exertion if in a sensitive group.

Purple. (201–300) Very unhealthy. Limit outdoor exertion. Stay indoors if sensitive.

Maroon. (301+) Hazardous. Everyone should stay inside as much as possible.

Sources: AirNow.gov; American Lung Association

Do you have COPD? Bad air can trigger flare-ups. Learn the early signs of a flare-up. Doing so may help you stay healthier.

Reviewed 5/20/2024

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