MWCOG.org - Air Quality Forcast

D O Y O U R S H A R E F O R C L E A N E R AIR

VERY
UNHEALTHY

•	Hot (mid 90s to 100s), hazy, and humid
•	Stagnant air, little or no wind
•	Little chance of rain
•	Stationary high pressure system with sunny skies
•	Multi-day event with high pollutant levels

Actions to Protect Your Health:

•	People with respiratory or heart ailments, children, and older adults should avoid outdoor physical activities.
•	Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Actions to Reduce Air Pollution:

•	Limit driving and engine idling. Refuel cars after dark.
•	Share a ride, telework from home, use transit, or drive only the best maintained, most fuel-efficient vehicle.
•	Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.
•	Avoid mowing lawns with gas-powered mowers.
•	Put off any painting until later.
•	Don’t use aerosol consumer products.

UNHEALTHY

•	Hot (mid 90s to 100s), hazy, and humid
•	Stagnant air, little or no wind
•	Little chance of rain
•	Stationary high pressure system with sunny skies

Actions to Protect Your Health:

•	Children should reduce outdoor activities.
•	Healthy individuals should limit strenuous outdoor work or exercise.
•	Individuals with respiratory or heart ailments should limit their outdoor activities.

Actions to Reduce Air Pollution:

•	Limit driving and refuel cars after dusk.
•	Share a ride, telework from home, use transit, or drive only the best maintained, most fuel-efficient vehicles.
•	Avoid mowing lawns with gasoline-powered mowers.
•	Put off any painting until later.
•	Don't use aerosol consumer products.

UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS

•	Temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s
•	Light winds
•	Slow moving high pressure system with sunny skies

Actions to Protect Your Health:

•	Sensitive Groups – children and active adults, people with respiratory disease, such as asthma and emphysema and heart aliments should limit prolonged outdoor physical activity.

Actions to Reduce Air Pollution:

•	Limit driving and refuel cars after dusk.
•	Avoid using aerosol consumer products.
•	Share a ride, telework from home, use transit, or drive only the best maintained, most fuel-efficient vehicles.

MODERATE

•	Mid summer temperatures (upper 70s to mid 80s)
•	Light to moderate winds (15 knots or less)
•	High pressure system with partly cloudy or sunny skies.

Actions to Protect Your Health:

•	Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Actions to Reduce Air Pollution:

•	Consolidate trips and errands.
•	Limit car idling when possible.
•	Conserve electricity and set air conditioners to 78 degrees F°.

GOOD

•	Cool summer temperatures (mid 70s to low 80s)
•	Windy conditions (15-20 knots or higher)
•	Heavy steady rain
•	Passing cold front carries pollution out of area

Actions to Protect Your Health:

•	No health effects are associated with this range.

Actions to Reduce Air Pollution:

•	Carpool, use public transit, bike, or walk.
•	Keep cars and boats tuned.
•	Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products.

METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

777 North Capitol Street, NE • Suite 300 • Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202.962.3200 • Fax: 202.962.3201