Last week we celebrated National Air Quality Awareness Week. Today, the air in Oregon is “good,” according to the air quality index. That wasn’t always the case. Even outside of wildfire season, there have been times throughout Oregon’s history when the air was hazardous to breathe. In fact, in 1980, only 30% of Oregonians lived in clean air areas that met national health standards for air pollution. Today, all areas in Oregon meet these standards. Understanding this historical context is crucial to appreciating the progress we’ve made.
Protecting and monitoring the quality of Oregon’s air is one of DEQ’s priorities. There are more than 60 monitoring stations around the state that collect information about the quality of the air in Oregon. The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is a color-coded tool for communicating about outdoor air quality based on the information collected at these monitoring stations. The index considers five main pollutants: particle pollution, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide and offers a health-based risk-assessment on a scale of 0-500.
DEQ uses AQI readings when working with other agencies to determine if we should issue an air quality advisory. This advisory warns people when the air is so bad they need to take precautions to protect themselves. Many homes, schools and businesses use the AQI to understand what the air quality will be so they can decide for themselves on participation in sports or other outdoor activities that day. This information may be particularly important for individuals who are sensitive to poor air quality, such as people with asthma, emphysema, lung disease or other respiratory illnesses.
As wildfire season approaches, getting in the habit of checking the AQI becomes increasingly important. Fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke can quickly change the quality of the air, shifting it from good to hazardous, based on the size and location of fires and prevailing wind conditions. You can check the AQI in Oregon and stay informed about your local air quality by visiting the OregonAQI website or by searching for the free OregonAir app in your smartphone app store.
By Chris Varley, public affairs specialist