DEQ has updated its Air Quality Index to better serve the public and put more data at users’ fingertips. The color-coded tool categorizes air quality at more than 37 stations around Oregon. To use the index, simply click on a dot on the map to see what air quality is like at a station near you. The dots on the map change color depending on the current air quality readings at each station. You’ll notice that some dots on the map are larger, which indicates an area has multiple monitors.
The updated Air Quality Index includes a number of new features:
- Meteorological data
- Historical data that can be downloaded
- Tools to analyze data
- Information on air quality conditions in Lane County
The video tutorials below will walk you through how to use the new Air Quality Index:
The index tells you how clean the air you breathe is and what health effects one may experience when air quality is at given levels. Air pollution can be a particular concern to the elderly, children and those with respiratory conditions, but high levels of pollution can affect everyone. The higher the value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. For example, a value of 50 or below represents good air quality with little potential to affect even those with respiratory conditions, while a value over 300 represents hazardous air quality and is likely to affect even healthy individuals
For more information on the AQI and how it is calculated visit
A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health on the AirNow Web site.