Taking AIRNow and the Taking AIRNow and the AQI YearAQI Year--RoundRound

2003 Air Quality Workshop2003 Air Quality WorkshopApril 24, 2003April 24, 2003

Research Triangle Park, NCResearch Triangle Park, NC

Chet WaylandChet WaylandU.S. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning & StandardsU.S. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards

Research Triangle Park, NCResearch Triangle Park, NCwayland,richard@epa.govwayland,richard@epa.gov

AIRNOW: Then & NowAIRNOW: Then & Now

2732733535AQI Forecast AQI Forecast CitiesCities

50 for Ozone50 for Ozone10 for PM10 for PM2.52.5

5 for Ozone5 for OzoneAQI MapsAQI Maps

~1200 ~1200 –– OzoneOzone~ 230 PM~ 230 PM2.52.5

~ 40 PM~ 40 PM1010

~300 ~300 –– OzoneOzoneMonitorsMonitors

79791717AgenciesAgencies

44 States44 States6 Canadian Provinces6 Canadian ProvincesMexico (3 sites)Mexico (3 sites)National Park Service (29 sites)National Park Service (29 sites)

14 States14 StatesParticipantsParticipants

2002200219981998MetricMetric

AIRNOW: Then & NowAIRNOW: Then & Now

98.8% (3628 hrs/3672 hrs)98.8% (3628 hrs/3672 hrs)UnknownUnknownReliability of Reliability of AIRNOW Data AIRNOW Data Management CenterManagement Center

Weather Central, WSI, Weather Central, WSI, Meteorologix, AccuWeather, Meteorologix, AccuWeather, WeatherBank (AP), Weather WeatherBank (AP), Weather Underground, Inc., Underground, Inc., USAToday, Weather.com, USAToday, Weather.com, The Weather Channel, CNNThe Weather Channel, CNN

NoneNoneMedia & Weather Media & Weather Service Provider Service Provider partnerspartners

Hourly (8am to 10pm)Hourly (8am to 10pm)Some areas 24 hrs/daySome areas 24 hrs/day

7 times per day7 times per dayPolling frequencyPolling frequency

10 to 45 minutes10 to 45 minutes2.5 hours2.5 hoursMeasurement to Measurement to public delivery turnpublic delivery turn--around timearound time

2002200219981998MetricMetric

Results: National AQI Forecasts in Results: National AQI Forecasts in 273+ Cities273+ Cities

Results: National Media CoverageResults: National Media Coverage

hh

Results: National AwarenessResults: National Awareness““Yes”Yes”

ResponseResponse2002 Green Gauge Reports 2002 Green Gauge Reports

by RoperASWby RoperASWHave you ever heard of ozone action days or code orange / code red air quality days? 52%Of those that responded “Yes” above, have you Of those that responded “Yes” above, have you changed your daily activities to reduce air pollution changed your daily activities to reduce air pollution (e.g., car pool, drive less)?(e.g., car pool, drive less)?

Of those that responded “Yes” above, have you Of those that responded “Yes” above, have you changed your daily activities to reduce your changed your daily activities to reduce your exposure to air pollution (e.g., modifying outdoor exposure to air pollution (e.g., modifying outdoor exercise / work habits)?exercise / work habits)?

37%(19%)

46%(24%)

What are we missing?What are we missing?

What happens after October 1 every year?What happens after October 1 every year?Are we giving the public the complete air Are we giving the public the complete air quality message?quality message?Does the public have an air quality tool to use Does the public have an air quality tool to use everyday to help protect themselves?everyday to help protect themselves?

especially those with heart & lung disease, older adults, especially those with heart & lung disease, older adults, childrenchildren

Support for PMSupport for PM2.52.5 NAAQS Implementation: NAAQS Implementation: Are local governments (mayors, elected officials) aware?Are local governments (mayors, elected officials) aware?

AQI Forecasting for ParticlesAQI Forecasting for Particles

PMPM2.52.5 is a serious health concernis a serious health concernForecasting particles provides yearForecasting particles provides year--round round coverage and better health protectioncoverage and better health protectionMany agencies already forecasting for PMMany agencies already forecasting for PM2.52.5

EPA effort focusing on 36 major cities across EPA effort focusing on 36 major cities across the U.S. (coincides with USA Today 36 cities)the U.S. (coincides with USA Today 36 cities)Over $800K allocated to develop PMOver $800K allocated to develop PM2.52.5forecast tools for State and Local Agenciesforecast tools for State and Local AgenciesTarget:Target: PMPM2.52.5 forecasts for the public for all forecasts for the public for all 36 cities by October 1, 200336 cities by October 1, 2003

USAToday 36 CitiesUSAToday 36 Cities

Current Forecast Current Forecast Status for October 1Status for October 1

Definite Likely Doubtful

AtlantaBostonCharlotteColumbusDetroitLas VegasMemphisMinneapolisNashvilleOrlandoPhiladelphiaPittsburghPortlandSacramentoSan DiegoTampaWashington, DC

ClevelandKansas CityNew OrleansSt. Louis

CincinnatiChicagoDallasDenverHonoluluHoustonIndianapolisLos AngelesMiamiNew York CityPhoenixSalt Lake CitySan FranciscoSeattle

RealReal--Time Reporting & Mapping of Time Reporting & Mapping of ParticlesParticles

Over 240 continuous PMOver 240 continuous PM2.52.5 monitors monitors reporting data to AIRNow Data Management reporting data to AIRNow Data Management Center (currently on “private” website)Center (currently on “private” website)Work underway to make continuous data Work underway to make continuous data FRM “like”FRM “like”Mapping particle data under developmentMapping particle data under developmentRealReal--time data is key for air quality time data is key for air quality forecasting programsforecasting programsTarget:Target: Maps for the public by October 1, Maps for the public by October 1, 2003 2003

AIRTomorrowAIRTomorrow

“Someone doing it often interrupts the person saying it cannot be done.”

---Anon