Air Quality Index
How do you use the Air Quality Index? | What does the AQI mean for your health? | What is an air pollution health alert?What is The Air Quality Index (AQI)
The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It is an indication of how clean or polluted the air is, the associated health effects and the impact on sensitive groups.
The AQI is a quick and easy tool to let you know:
- Air pollution levels in your community
- Tomorrow's air quality forecast - to help you plan your day
- Who is at risk from air pollution
- Simple steps you can take to protect yourself
How do you use the Air Quality Index?
Use the AQI to plan your outdoor activities and reduce your risk of exposure to air pollution.
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What does the AQI mean for your health?
Each category in the AQI corresponds to a different level of health risk:
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Very Good and Good: The AQI value is between 0 and 66. Air quality is considered good, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
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Fair: The AQI is between 67 and 99. Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a health concern for very sensitive people.
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Poor: When AQI values are between 100 and 149, this means the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. For example, people with lung disease are at greater risk from exposure to ozone, while people with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to particle pollution. The general population is not likely to be affected when the AQI is in this range.
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Very Poor: When AQI values are between 150 and 200, everyone may begin to experience health effects. People from sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
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Hazardous: AQI values greater than 200 means everyone may experience more serious health effects. In Sydney, the AQI only reaches this level during major bushfires.
What is an air pollution health alert?
A health alert is issued when the AQI is likely to be above 100 the next day.
When the AQI is in the poor range the health alert targets the groups known to be sensitive to that type of pollution. The alert also provides advice to watch for symptoms, have reliever medicine nearby, and seek medical advice if the symptoms get worse even after using reliever medication and resting. The alert also states whether remaining indoors will help to reduce exposure.
If the AQI is in the very poor and hazardous ranges, the health alert is relevant to everyone. For sensitive groups the advice given in the poor alert still applies, but additionally it includes advice on staying indoors and limiting exercise.
A health alert will be issued at 4pm for the next day from the Department of Environment and Climate Change and Bureau of Meteorology. When the predicted AQI is Poor to Hazardous
The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) also provides local air quality forecasts and hourly air quality updates.
You can also subscribe to alerts that will be sent to you via SMS or email when your local air quality reaches unhealthy levels.
Some news services report the health alert during the weather forecast.
Contact the NSW DECC Environment Line on 131 555 if you have limited internet access.