APCD posts the current Air Quality Index (AQI) on www.airnow.gov, based on raw monitoring data. Residents can also get hourly AQI updates by calling (502) 574-3319.
The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted your outdoor air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you. The AQI focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. EPA calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. For each of these pollutants, EPA has established national air quality standards to protect public health. The table below shows the levels of the AQI along with the corresponding index range and health concerns for each level.
| AQI Level |
Value |
Related Health Concerns |
| Good |
0-50 |
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. |
| Moderate |
51-100 |
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. |
Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups |
101-150 |
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. |
| Unhealthy |
151-200 |
Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. |
| Very Unhealthy |
201-300 |
Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects. |
| Hazardous |
> 300 |
Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. |
APCD uses the current conditions along with meteorological data to forecast air quality as far as four days ahead. See air quality forecasting for more information on this topic.