Idaho DEQ Air Quality Forecast and Caution is Lifted

DEQ is lifting an Air Quality Forecast & Caution Date/Time Issued: Tuesday, September 23, 2014/10:00 a.m. Next Update: No further updates

Air quality conditions have returned to the Good or lower Moderate category as a result of last night’s precipitation.  The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is lifting the Air Quality Forecast and Caution for the following areas (off the Nez Perce Tribal Reservation) in Latah, Nez Perce, Idaho, Lewis, and Clearwater Counties.  Air quality is currently in the GOOD category and is forecast to remain in the Good to lower Moderate category for the next few days.  DEQ will continue to monitor smoke and fire activity throughout the region. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is good, air quality is considered satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.

Outdoor Burning Restrictions

Currently there are no outdoor burning restrictions.  Open burning is allowed in accordance with the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.600-624).

Contact

For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Lewiston at (208) 799-4370. For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov. For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com.

Air Quality Index (AQI):

Range Category Meaning 0 to 50 Good Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk 51 to 100 Moderate Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. 101 to 150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. 151 to 200 Unhealthy Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. 201 to 300 Very Unhealthy Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. 301 to 500 Hazardous Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.

For more information on the AQI, read EPA’s AQI brochure at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf.

* Sensitive groups for particulate matter include those with heart and lung disease, older adults, and children. Sensitive groups for ozone include those with lung disease, older adults, and children.