The Air Quality Index (AQI) for Dane County was in the orange level this past Saturday and Sunday, meaning the air was categorized as "unhealthy for sensitive groups" by the U.S. EPA and the Wisconsin DNR. People in sensitive groups are those with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. The health advisory is also intended for people who are not in sensitive groups but who are engaged in strenuous activities or exposed for prolonged periods of time.
An AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard for the pollutant, which is the level that the U.S. EPA has set to protect public health. AQI values below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. The AQI in Dane County on Saturday and Sunday was 130 - 135 most of the day. http://cfpub.epa.gov/airnow/index.cfm?action=static.aqi The DNR has announced that the advisory will remain in effect until 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 27, 2006 (see forwarded message below). Mike Neuman ---------------- Forwarded Message ---------------- On Sun, 26 Nov 2006 18:16:36 -0600 "Urbanski, Anne - DNR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Madison, Wis. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is issuing an air quality health advisory for most of southern and central Wisconsin. The advisory will remain in effect until 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 27, 2006. This advisory covers 39 counties, including: Buffalo, Trempeleau, Jackson, Wood, Portage, Waupaca, Outagamie, Brown, LaCrosse, Monroe, Juneau, Adams, Waushara, Marquette, Green Lake, Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Vernon, Crawford, Richland, Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Grant, Iowa, Dane, Jefferson, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Lafayette, Green, Rock, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha. The advisory is being issued because of persistent elevated levels of fine particles in the air. These fine particles come primarily from combustion sources, such as utilities, factories and other industrial sources, vehicle exhaust, fireplaces and wood stoves. A stagnant air mass has led to this advisory. Air quality is expected to gradually improve for the affected area beginning Monday morning. The Air Quality Index is currently in the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for people in sensitive groups and others, including people who are not in sensitive groups but who are engaged in strenuous activities or exposed for prolonged periods of time. People in those sensitive groups include those with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. When an air quality health advisory is issued, people in those groups are advised to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities. People with lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis and heart disease should pay attention to cardiac symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms like coughing, wheezing and discomfort when taking a breath, and consult with their physician if they have concerns or are experiencing symptoms. To receive air quality health advisories by e-mail, visit http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/newsletters/ There are several actions the public can take to reduce their contributions to this regional air quality problem. Reduce driving when possible and dont leave vehicle engines idling. Postpone activities that use small gasoline and diesel engines. Minimize the use of woodburning fireplaces, stoves, boilers and outdoor fires. Practice electrical energy conservation. For more information: Federal interagency air quality web site, for information on the Air Quality Index and nationwide air quality forecasts and air quality conditions, http://www.epa.gov/airnow DNRs statewide air quality monitoring web page, http://maps.dnr.state.wi.us/imf/dnrimf.jsp?site=wisards For local DNR air management program contacts, http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/staff/regions.htm _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
