AirNow API Documentation

<!doctype html> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <title>AirNow API Documentation</title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/lib/blueprint/screen.css" type="text/css" media="screen, projection"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/lib/blueprint/print.css" type="text/css" media="print">  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/font-awesome/4.6.1/css/font-awesome.min.css" type="text/css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/default.css" type="text/css">  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-8FZ16JDJ5Y"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-8FZ16JDJ5Y'); </script> </head> <body> <div id="header"> <div class="left airNowLogo"> <img src="/img/airNowLogo.png" alt="AirNow" /> </div> <div class="right" style="margin: 10px 40px;"> <form class="left"> <a class="button" href="/login">Log In</a> </form> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div id="navContainer"> <ul id="navigation"> <li class="first "><a href="/" title="AirNow Developers - Home">Home</a></li> <li ><a href="/webservices" title="">Web Services</a></li> <li ><a href="/feeds" title="">Data Feeds</a></li> <li ><a href="/files" title="">File Products</a></li> <li ><a href="/faq" title="AirNow Developers - FAQ">FAQ</a></li> <li class="selected" ><a href="/aq101" title="">Air Quality 101</a></li> <li ><a href="/usagestats" title="">Analytics</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="pageTitleContainer"> <h1>AirNow API - Air Quality 101 </h1> </div> <div id="leftColumn" class="left span-5"> <div> <div id="sidebarNav" class="span-5"> <ul> <li> <a href="#aqi">Air Quality Index (AQI)</a> </li> <li> <a href="#aqiColors">AQI colors</a> </li> <li> <a href="#aqObs">Air quality observations</a> </li> <li> <a href="#aqForecast">Air quality forecasts</a> </li> <li> <a href="#dataAveraging">Data averaging</a> </li> <li> <a href="#nowcast">NowCast Values</a> </li> <li> <a href="#actionDays">Action days</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div id="rightColumn" class="left span-18"> <div class="span-24"> <div class="span-20 last serviceOverview"> <a name="aqi"></a> <h2 class="sectionTitle">Air Quality Index (AQI)</h2> <div class="sectionBody"> <p> The EPA developed the AQI, which reports levels of ozone, particle pollution, and other common air pollutants on the same scale. An AQI reading of 101 corresponds to a level above the national air quality standard - the higher the AQI rating, the greater the health impact. </p> </div> </div> <div class="span-20 last serviceOverview"> <a name="aqiColors"></a> <h2 class="sectionTitle">AQI colors</h2> <div class="sectionBody"> <p> The AQI is divided into color-coded categories and each category is identified by a simple informative descriptor. The descriptors are intended to convey information to the public about how air quality relates to public health. The table below defines the AQI categories. <br /> </p> <table class="aqiTable" style="width:600px"> <tr> <th>AQI Numbers</th> <th>AQI Category (Descriptor)</th> <th>AQI Color</th> <th>  Hexadecimal Color Value</th> <th>Category Number</th> </tr> <tr> <td>0 - 50</td> <td>Good</td> <td class="aqi_green">Green</td> <td>  (00e400)</td> <td>1</td> </tr> <tr> <td>51 - 100</td> <td>Moderate</td> <td class="aqi_yellow">Yellow</td> <td>  (ffff00)</td> <td>2</td> </tr> <tr> <td>101 - 150</td> <td>Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups</td> <td class="aqi_orange">Orange</td> <td>  (ff7e00)</td> <td>3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>151 - 200</td> <td>Unhealthy</td> <td class="aqi_red">Red</td> <td>  (ff0000)</td> <td>4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>201 - 300</td> <td>Very Unhealthy</td> <td class="aqi_purple">Purple</td> <td>  (8f3f97)</td> <td>5</td> </tr> <tr> <td>301 - 500</td> <td>Hazardous</td> <td class="aqi_maroon">Maroon</td> <td>  (7e0023)</td> <td>6</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <div class="span-20 last serviceOverview"> <a name="aqObs"></a> <h2 class="sectionTitle">Air quality observations</h2> <div class="sectionBody"> <p> Hourly or daily observations are measured and reported to AirNow by federal, state, local, and tribal air quality agencies. Historical (daily) AQI values are calculated using an averaging method, and real-time AQI values are based on a NowCast calculation. </p> <h3 class="subSectionTitle" style="padding-top:10px">Data averaging</h3> <a name="dataAveraging"></a> The AQI reported for ground-level ozone and fine particles (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) is based on an average of hourly data. For ozone, the AQI is based on the maximum observed 8-hour average from midnight to midnight. For PM<sub>2.5</sub>, the AQI is simply the 24-hour average. For AQI values reported in real-time, before a full day's data are available, the AQI is based on a NowCast calculation. <br /> <br /> <h3 class="subSectionTitle">NowCast Values</h3> <a name="nowcast"></a> Real-time observations are reported using a NowCast AQI value. More information about the NowCast calculations can be found <a href="https://usepa.servicenowservices.com/airnow?id=kb_article_view&sys_id=fed0037b1b62545040a1a7dbe54bcbd4 ">here</a> </div> </div> <div class="span-20 last serviceOverview"> <a name="aqForecast"></a> <h2 class="sectionTitle">Air quality forecasts</h2> <div class="sectionBody"> <p> Many agencies issue air quality forecasts for reporting areas. These forecasts are predictions of the observed daily AQI based on air quality and weather information. These predictions can vary by reporting area, depending on the agency issuing the forecast. Additional information can be found on the FAQ page under <a href="/faq#reportingAreaForecasts">"How can forecasts differ by reporting area?"</a> </p> </div> </div> <div class="span-20 last serviceOverview"> <a name="actionDays"></a> <h2 class="sectionTitle">Action days</h2> <div class="sectionBody"> <p> Action days are usually called when the AQI reaches unhealthy or higher. Different air pollution control agencies call Action Days at different levels. In some places, action days are called when the AQI is forecast to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, or Code Orange. In this case, the groups that are sensitive to the pollutant should reduce exposure by eliminating prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. For ozone this includes children and adults who are active outdoors and people with lung disease, such as asthma. For particle pollution this includes: people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children. Occasionally, an action day is declared when the AQI is Moderate, or Code Yellow, if the levels are expected to approach Code Orange levels. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="footer"> <a href="mailto:dmc@airnowtech.org">Contact Us</a> </div> </body> </html>

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AirNow API Documentation