May 09 2010
NAAQS and the AQI
So…did you laugh at my memory-trick email about the six compounds the EPA must track under the Clean Air Act? If you missed, it here is is again:
Q: How do you remember the 6 air pollutants covered under NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards)?
A: NOSCLP
NOx
Ozone
SO2
CO
Lead
PM
So, get it? You need a NOSeCLiP to protect yourself from the NOSCLP pollutants! Now, click on this link to study using an neat interactive “The Nitty Gritty on the 6 Most Harmful Pollutants.”
You guys are most familiar with this monitoring system when you see the ozone alert days here in Charlotte. This is part of the AQI (Air Quality Index) system used to notify the public when ozone and particulates reach levels that can cause harm-especially for those who already have compromised lungs.
Have you noticed this in the paper or on the news?
Image Source: http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi
