What is air quality?It is simply a gauge of the health of the air around you, i.e., how clean or how polluted it is. Often it is measured on a simple numerical scale called the Air Quality Index (AQI) with the lower numbers indicating clean air and higher numbers hinting at polluted air.
Check your local air quality in real-time here. For more information about the air quality data, click the button below.
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How does it impact you?
Causing 6.7 million premature deaths every year, air pollution is one of leading threats to human health (WHO). Poor air quality is associated with increased occurrence of strokes, heart diseases, lung cancer, respiratory ailments such as asthma or infections, etc. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (link) for six criteria air pollutants that are considered to be harmful to human health.
Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide is a colorless and odorless pollutant that is formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. This includes sources such as gasoline, natural gas, and wood. CO is directly harmful to human health as it can reduce the ability of blood to carry oxygen to our organs. In outdoor environments, extremely high concentrations of CO are unlikely but are possible in indoor environments. In such cases, people with chronic heart diseases, breathing problems, anemia, etc. can be susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.
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LeadLead is a heavy metal which can be emitted into air through sources such as mining operations, incinerators, leaded aviation fuel, lead-acid battery manufacturers. Once it inters the environment, it persists and percolates into adjacent ecological systems. Infants and young children are the primary population affected by lead air pollution. It is known to cause learning deficits and behavioral problems.
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Nitrogen DioxideThe primary source of nitrogen dioxide in air is burning of fossil fuels in vehicles and machinery. By itself, it is a respiratory irritant that causes coughing, wheezing, and may contribute to the development of asthma. Nitrogen dioxide, along with other oxidants of nitrogen such as nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O), react with volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere to produce more ozone and particulate matter.
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OzoneAt ground-level, ozone is formed through the reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of light. In humans, it is known to cause breathing problems and exacerbates asthma. Ozone is an oxidant which can harm growing vegetation and hence, affect the crop production.
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Particulate MatterThis criterion includes solid or liquid particles less than 10 microns in diameter. They could be formed due to various chemical processes such as oxidation of VOCs, vehicular and industrial combustion, or through mechanical processes such as emission of dust from construction sites, unpaved roads, etc. Once they are in the atmosphere, they can cause visibility issues (haze). Fine-sized PM can reach deep into your lungs when inhaled and could enter your bloodstream. They are known to aggravate breathing problems and heart conditions.
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Sulfur DioxideSulfur dioxide predominantly enters the atmosphere when fossil fuels with high sulfur content are burnt. In humans, exposure to sulfur dioxide causes breathing difficulties, particularly people with asthma. Like tropospheric ozone, sulfur dioxide also affects the growth of plants and trees. It also contributes to acid rain which damages human infrastructure and further affects plants growth.
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In reality, the sources of pollution extend beyond this list. The atmosphere is dynamic and contains a host of volatile organic chemicals that are released by human activity (for example, use of personal care products, paints, and even cooking) and through natural biogenic processes (for example, plants release millions of tons of compounds throughout their lifetimes). To further complicate matters, factors such as temperature, wind, atmospheric pressure, light, vehicular NO2/NO emissions etc. in combination with the composition and concentration of these chemicals generate secondary pollutants to exacerbate air pollution.
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Air pollution in the NRV: Radford Army Ammunitions Plant as an example
Spread across 4,600 acres of land, the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RAAP) is a U.S. Army munitions manufacturing facility located in Radford, Virginia. The plant produces a wide range of munitions for the U.S. military, including rocket motors, propellants, and explosives. However, the plant has also been associated with air pollution issues, which have been a cause of concern for the local community.
The plant's manufacturing processes release various pollutants into the air, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants have the potential to cause respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and some of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process have been linked to cancer and other long-term health effects. The plant collaborates with local government officials and the community to address air pollution concerns. RAAP has participated in public meetings and has shared information about its operations and emissions.
Apart from issues with air quality, activities at the RAAP are harmful to the water and soil around the plant. Learn more about the environmental concerns around the RAAP below.
The plant's manufacturing processes release various pollutants into the air, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants have the potential to cause respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and some of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process have been linked to cancer and other long-term health effects. The plant collaborates with local government officials and the community to address air pollution concerns. RAAP has participated in public meetings and has shared information about its operations and emissions.
Apart from issues with air quality, activities at the RAAP are harmful to the water and soil around the plant. Learn more about the environmental concerns around the RAAP below.