How To Distinguish Good Air from Bad with Color Zones

"Anyone with asthma knows that the outdoor air quality can have a big impact on breathing," said writer Selby Bateman. "Since exposure over extended periods of time is worse than shorter periods, keep any unnecessary outdoor exposure short."

When the weather forecaster tells you that tomorrow will be a "Code Red" day he is following the Air Quality Index known as AQI.

For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state and local agencies have combined to offer the AIRNow Web site, airnow.gov.

People with asthma, like myself, or those with other lung diseases are all at particular risk when the AQI is at yellow, not just orange or red.

If the day's code is orange, limit outdoor activities even if you had planned recreation or outside work earlier.

Green means air quality is good and there are no advisories.

Yellow denotes moderate air quality and unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

Orange level is unhealthy for sensitive groups and means that kids, active adults, and people with respiratory disease such as asthma should limit extended outside exertion.

Red dictates the air is unhealthy and means that not only those in the orange group should limit long periods of exerting themselves outdoors but that everyone else should too.

Purple defines the air as very unhealthy and states that those in the orange and red group should limit outdoor exertion along with everyone that doesn't fall into those categories.

Maroon shows that the air is hazardous and that everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors.

According to Bateman, you should also avoid areas that are near high-traffic roadways and not exercise near them.

To be an advocate, let your local officials know that you are concerned about the effects of air pollution on you and your family and that you support stronger pollution control measures.