Uniform air pollution index

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Build. Syst. Des.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6471829

The Federal Task Force on Air Quality Indicators has developed a standard air pollution index to provide nationwide uniformity in pollution readings and increase public understanding. Designed to convert the maximum measured daily air pollution level in a city to a simple number on a scale of 0 to 500, the index is related to levels of carbon monoxide, oxidants, particulates, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. The scale intervals describe pollution levels as being good (0 to 50), moderate (50 to 100), unhealthful (100 to 200), very unhealthful (200 to 300), and hazardous (300 to 500). Thus all pollutants are reported by a single rating system rather than by individual concentrations. The new system also provides health-protection advice for each pollution level. Adoption of the index by metropolitan and state agencies is on a voluntary basis.

• OSTI ID: 6471829
• Journal Information: Build. Syst. Des.; (United States), Journal Name: Build. Syst. Des.; (United States) Vol. 73; ISSN BUSDB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDES
OXIDIZERS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
PUBLIC HEALTH
STANDARDS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES