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Learning About Air Quality

The AIRMAP research project is a collaborative multi-institutional effort run primarily through the EOS-Climate Change Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, and funded by primarily by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The project has two primary research focuses:

  • The collection and analysis of real time and historic meteorological data, specifically physical atmospheric components such as temperature, precipitation and extreme events, to examine the causes that drive climate change.
  • The collection and analysis of real time chemical atmospheric data relevant to air quality, including ozone and other fine respirable aerosols, in an effort to investigate and predict regional air quality levels and changes.

The goal of the project is to establish understanding of the correlation between air quality and weather and the causes of regional climate change, as well as to develop decision relevant information and adaptive management strategies for citizens and stakeholders in New England regarding changes regional air quality and climate.

As part of the effort to monitor and analyze regional air quality, AIRMAP presents real time data from four sites across New Hampshire (as well as links to similar data elsewhere in New England). These sites have been selected carefully to provide relevant air quality data throughout New Hampshire, and include:

The data highlight levels of three of the most significant atmospheric pollutants, and is color-coded according to the standards Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index. The real time data include:

 

Check out data from these stations and use the following table to assess air quality in your area, and what precautions you can take to minimize potential health risks.

Index Values Levels of Health Concern Cautionary Statements
0-50 Good None
51-100* Moderate Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
101-150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
151-200 Unhealthy Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Everyone else, especially children, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
201-300 Very Unhealthy Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion. Everyone else, especially children, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
301-500 Hazardous Everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors.

 

Following from the results of AIRMAP, The New England Integrated Sciences and Assessments project is developing INHALE (Integrated Human Health and Air Quality Research), a study to further understand how air quality and climate changes are effecting human health in New England. The study aims include:

  • Engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the development of a strategic plan to investigate the link between pulmonary health and air quality; and
  • Apply the results to create informed public policy and guide the development of the AIRMAP air quality forecasting research effort.

For more information or to get involved with the New England Integrated Sciences and Assessments project, please contact:

Cameron Wake
NEISA Project Director, Climate Change Research Center, EOS
e-mail address: cameron.wake@unh.edu

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