Air quality index also referred to as the AQI, is an agreed system developed and decided by international meteorological bodies for warning individuals of the level of air pollution they might be exposed to in their environments. The air quality index tracks particle pollution and the ozone, pollen, soil dust, vehicle exhaust, power plants, and factories, among other widespread air pollutants. Particle pollution measured by the air quality index includes tiny particles from ash and smog from the ozone. The air quality levels are reported by television networks, radio, and weather websites such as Accuweather. The index values of air quality range from 0 to 500. The index is further divided into six color codes that indicate the purity of air. The first index value ranges from 0-50 and means good air quality. No advisory is given on good air quality, and no caution needs to be taken by the public. The second index value ranges from 50-100 and indicates moderate air quality. The category is given the yellow color code, and all the unusually sensitive public are advised to avoid spending prolonged durations outside the house. The third tier of index value ranges from 100-150 and is represented by an orange color code. The air quality rated at this range is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups and is advised to minimize exposure to such environments. The exposed groups may include individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma, active adults, and children. Unhealthy air quality is represented by a red color code and an index range of between 151 and 200. Every individual is advised to avoid prolonged exposure to unhealthy air quality environments. The purple color code indicates very unhealthy air quality, with index values ranging between 201- 300. The last tier of hazardous air quality falls between the index of 301-500 ad every member of the public is urged to avoid all outdoor activities. Air pollution might harm everyone, including the most vulnerable groups such as individuals with respiratory complications, children, and the elderly. The most affected groups include individuals who work outdoors or have diabetes. Individuals with cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure or who have suffered a stroke are also affected. It is crucial to change the activities that someone partakes in during bad air days to minimize harm. This paper discusses and compares the air quality and trends for pollutants that affect people with asthma or other lung diseases in Miami Dade, San Bernadino County, and Saint Louis Minnesota.
Air Quality in Miami-Dade
The air quality in the Miami-Dade area falls between 0-50 throughout the year and is considered good. A couple of times within the year, the Miami Dade Air Quality Index falls below the excellent range. Individuals with respiratory conditions and those aged above 65 years are cautioned to minimize outdoor exposure ( Air Compare | epa.gov, 2021 ). The county has an Air Quality Notification Service that individuals rely on to customize their needs to protect themselves and their families from bad air quality. The Miami-Dade air quality is mainly affected by the Saharan Dust. The Saharan Dust mainly consists of dusty and arid air that flows over Miami in late June ( Miami Air Quality Index (AQI) and Florida Air Pollution | AirVisual . Iqair.com, 2021 ). The graph below indicates the number of unhealthy days for asthma or other lung diseases in Miami-Dade, Florida. Miami-Dade, Florida, experiences good air quality for most days of the year. Therefore, individuals with asthma and other lung diseases would not have any difficulties with the region. The particulate matter remains the primary pollutant in the area and only occurs for less than five days a year.
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Air Quality in San-Bernadino County
San Bernardino experiences a moderate range of air quality throughout the year. The region recorded at least 32% of the total days in 2020 within the moderate range. The number of days fell below the number of days registered in 2019 when the region recorded 48% of days falling within the moderate scope of air quality. The county experienced more than 22% off in 2020 with good quality air compared to only 15% days in the previous year. The county shares one in five days of air quality considered unhealthy for sensitive groups ( San Bernardino Air Quality Index (AQI) and California Air Pollution | AirVisual . Iqair.com, 2021 ). 20% of days in the year 2020 were supposed to be of unhealthy air quality. This increased from 15% recorded the previous year. The number of days with very unhealthy air quality grew from 2% to 6% in 2020. The graph shown below illustrates the Air Quality in San Bernadino County between 2011 to 2020. Individuals with asthma and other lung diseases must take precautionary measures before considering visiting or residing in San Bernadino. The region has several days a year with inferior air quality. More than 40% of the air quality in San Bernadino lies below moderate air quality.
Air Quality in Saint Louis, Minnesota
The average air quality in the Saint Louis region is categorized as good. The area experiences a few days a year of moderate air quality. The air quality in the region is twice better as the World Health Organization exposure recommendation. Between the years 2009 to 2018, the area experienced three years with good average air quality. The years that experienced 100% good air quality included 2009, 2013, 2014, and 2017 ( Saint Louis Air Quality Index (AQI) and Missouri Air Pollution | AirVisual . Iqair.com, 2021 ). The rest of the years had a single day with moderate air quality except for 2018 which recorded two days of moderate air quality. The graph presented below indicates the number of days with moderate air quality. Saint Louis experiences zero days a year with unhealthy air quality on average. Individuals with asthma and lung diseases should feel comfortable visiting or residing in the region. Saint Louis records more days of good air quality than 90% of all the states in the United States. 2018 recorded the highest number of days with moderate air quality ( Air Compare | epa.gov, 2021 ). Persons aged 65 years and older and other special category individuals such as children should find an easy time spending most time outdoors in Saint Louis.
The air quality index tracks particle pollution and the ozone, pollen, soil dust, vehicle exhaust, power plants, and factories, among other widespread air pollutants. Saint Louis has the best air quality of the three regions discussed in this study. San Bernadino has the poorest air quality of the three areas. Saint Louis experienced a total of 7 days of moderate air quality in the last decade. Miami-Dade had 27 days of moderate air quality in the past ten years. As opposed to the two regions, the San-Bernadino region experienced more days of poor air quality. More than 40% of the air quality in the area over the last ten years falls below moderate air quality. Exceptional category individuals such as those with asthma and other lung diseases should preferably reside in Saint Louis and Miami-Dade. The individuals who live in San Bernardino must beware of the air quality within specific periods to ensure they spend minimal time outdoors during the highly unhealthy air quality in San Bernardino. Poor air quality leads to adverse effects on individuals within the special categories.
References
Air Compare | epa.gov (2021). Retrieved 17 July 2021, from http://www.epa.gov/aircompare/index.htm
Miami Air Quality Index (AQI) and Florida Air Pollution | AirVisual . Iqair.com. (2021). Retrieved 17 July 2021, from https://www.iqair.com/usa/florida/miami .
Saint Louis Air Quality Index (AQI) and Missouri Air Pollution | AirVisual . Iqair.com. (2021). Retrieved 17 July 2021, from https://www.iqair.com/usa/missouri/saint-louis .
San Bernardino Air Quality Index (AQI) and California Air Pollution | AirVisual . Iqair.com. (2021). Retrieved 17 July 2021, from https://www.iqair.com/us/usa/california/san-bernardino .
