The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency&rsquo;s air quality index (AQI) shows you when the air is clean or polluted. Find it on your weather app or at <a target="_blank" href=" https://www.airnow.gov/">AirNow.gov</a>. You can use the AQI daily to protect your lungs from things like smog or wildfire smoke.
<img alt="" src="[BASEDOMAIN]/Client_Files/Default/HI/System/Health%20tips/AQI%20Infographic.jpg">
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<h2>ORANGE AND ABOVE = TAKE PRECAUTIONS</h2>
Green. (0&ndash;50) Good. Enjoy the outdoors. 
Yellow. (51&ndash;100) Moderate. Air quality is OK for most people. 
Orange. (101&ndash;150) Unhealthy for sensitive groups. This includes children and those with lung disease. If that&rsquo;s you, keep outdoor activities brief and don&rsquo;t exert yourself. 
Red. (151&ndash;200) Unhealthy. Limit outdoor activities. Avoid exertion if in a sensitive group.
Purple. (201&ndash;300) Very unhealthy. Limit outdoor exertion. Stay indoors if sensitive. 
Maroon. (301+) Hazardous. Everyone should stay inside as much as possible. 
Sources: <a target="_blank" href=" https://www.airnow.gov/">AirNow.gov</a>; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.netreturns.biz/healthinfo/bouncelink.aspx?shortcut=lungusa">American Lung Association </a>
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Do you have COPD? Bad air can trigger flare-ups. <a href="[BASEDOMAIN]/healthinfo/Story.aspx?StoryID=878c23fd-420b-43e3-ae40-0150b9bd4723">Learn the early signs</a> of a flare-up. Doing so may help you stay healthier.
Reviewed 5/17/2023
Sources
<ul>
 <li>AirNow.gov. "Air Quality Index AQI basics." <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/">https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/</a>.</li>
 <li>AirNow.gov. "Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools." <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2018-09/air-quality-and-outdoor-activity-guidance-2014.pdf">https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2018-09/air-quality-and-outdoor-activity-guidance-2014.pdf</a>.</li>
 <li>American Lung Association. "10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Unhealthy Air." <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/10-tips-to-protect-yourself">https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/10-tips-to-protect-yourself</a>.</li>
 <li>American Lung Association. "Air Quality Index." <a target="_blank" href=" https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/air-quality-index">https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/air-quality-index</a>.</li>
 <li>American Lung Association. "What Makes Outdoor Air Unhealthy." <a target="_blank" href=" https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/what-makes-air-unhealthy">https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/what-makes-air-unhealthy</a>.</li>
 <li>American Lung Association. "Who Is at Risk?" <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/who-is-at-risk">https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/who-is-at-risk</a>.</li>
</ul>

Protect your lungs: Check your AQI IQ