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Air quality assignment

The document discusses air quality indices (AQI) and their implications, highlighting that AQI values of 0-50 are 'good', 51-100 are 'moderate', and 101-150 are 'unhealthy for sensitive groups'. It notes that California experiences poor air quality, especially between April and September, with particulate matter being a significant pollutant affecting overall AQI readings. Additionally, a comparison of air quality across various cities shows that while most have satisfactory ratings, California's air quality remains a concern due to high AQI values.

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3 views

Air quality assignment

The document discusses air quality indices (AQI) and their implications, highlighting that AQI values of 0-50 are 'good', 51-100 are 'moderate', and 101-150 are 'unhealthy for sensitive groups'. It notes that California experiences poor air quality, especially between April and September, with particulate matter being a significant pollutant affecting overall AQI readings. Additionally, a comparison of air quality across various cities shows that while most have satisfactory ratings, California's air quality remains a concern due to high AQI values.

Uploaded by

samuelnganga0405
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Air quality assignment

Description of the AQI

Most prevalent air quality readings observed fall in the ranges of (0-50) and (51-100).However,

high air quality index (AQI) of (101-150) is noted in a few areas like San Bernadino, Phelan and

Santa Clara.AQI of (0-50) is described as ‘good’ and implies that the air quality is satisfactory

and posses no or minimal risks to life. An index of (51-100) is described as ‘moderate’. It

implies that quality of air is acceptable though other pollutants might pose considerable health

issues to extremely allergic people .Air quality reading between 101 and 150 is described as

USG-unhealthy for sensitive group. Even though the public is generally safe, exposure to

pollutants causes serious health problems to the special population like children and people with

respiratory problems among others (US Environmental Protection Agency, and US

Environmental Protection Agency 3).

From review of the trends in the values of the AQI for the period between May and September

2018, it is evident that the higher the value of AQI, the higher the chances of an extreme event

(fire) occurring. Hence, a higher air quality index value can said to a signal of danger.

Ozone AQI vs the Particulate Matter (PM) AQI

When a particular map is taken and air quality index is observed with reference to the above

pollutants, contradicting air quality color codes are obtained as illustrated in the figures below. If

the map is viewed only for Ozone AQI, the resulting color code reveals a satisfactory air quality

but the color code for the overall reading shows otherwise. This suggests that the particulate

matter is negatively influencing the overall index. In other words, particulate matter increases the

value of the overall air quality reading hence considered to be the leading pollutant.
Figure 1: Figure 2:

Comparison of air quality among US states

Air quality is generally poor in California. Further analysis shows that the number of unhealthy

days is prevalent between the months of April and September as evidenced in the cities of San

Bernadino, Kern, and Talure.

Question 2:

Cities’ Indices for Air Quality.


City Air Quality Current AQI Most Prevalent Possible source of
Rating Value Pollutant pollutant
Nairobi,Kenya Good 24 PM 2.5 Motor vehicle traffic
Tulare, Moderate 61 PM 2.5 Windblown dust and
California,USA wild fires
Foners,Baleares,Spain Good 31 PM 10 Agricultural
Chemicals
Bodibeng, South Good 9 SO 2 Power plants and
Africa Industries
Springfield,Ohio,US Good 15 O3 Greenhouse Gases
A
Kuma,Ehime,Japan Good 9 PM 2.5 Heavy traffic.

Table 1: Source: Author

Comparison

The use of technology is the main source of pollution in all the cities. It is also evident that all

the cities have a considerable air quality rating.

Differences

Air quality in five cities is satisfactory and does not pose any health risk to the population

whereas air quality in one city is acceptable and it poses minimal health threats to people who

are extremely allergic. Particulate matter is the primary pollutant in four cities while Ozone and

Sulpher dioxide are major pollutant in Springfield and Bodibeng respectively.

Poorest Air Quality

Poorest air quality is noted in most parts of California as illustrated by high numerical values of

AQI.
Air Quality Readings

Numerical values of the air quality tend to be low in areas that are considered great. This could

be due to the comprehensive measures and policies put in place by such governments to curb

pollution of any kind.


Works Cited

US Environmental Protection Agency, and US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air

Quality Planning and Standards, Outreach and Information Division. "Air Quality Index:

A guide to air quality and your health." EPA-456/F-14-002. Research Triangle Park,

NC: (2014).

https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.mapcenter&mapcenter=1

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