We created the Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA) information tool to advise you about air quality levels. When there is too much fine particle pollution in the air, your health could be at risk. WAQA bases its advice on lower levels of fine particles than EPA's national information tool, the Air Quality Index (AQI). This allows us to alert you earlier about air pollution levels.
What WAQA is used for
WAQA advises you according to measurements of:
To see the current air quality conditions, look at the map below or go to Washington Air Quality Monitoring Network map for a more interactive version. Colors on the map refer to the levels of air pollution and related health warnings.
WAQA vs. AQI
The Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA) is similar to EPA's national information tool, the Air Quality Index (AQI). Both use color-coded categories to show when air quality ranges from good to hazardous. The difference is that WAQA is based on lower levels of fine particle pollution than the federal AQI. This allows us to alert you earlier to protect your health.
Smoke and dust are some examples of fine particles. Studies show that levels of particles in the air that we previously thought were safe can cause illness and death.
Comparison of the WAQA and AQI health-risk levels
Color – Category |
Index Value |
WAQA |
AQI |
|
Concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) (µg/m3) |
Green – Good
|
0–50 |
0–12.0 |
0–12.0
|
Yellow – Moderate
|
51–100 |
12.1–20.4 |
12.1–35.4
|
Orange – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
|
101–150 |
20.5–35.4 |
35.5–55.4
|
Red – Unhealthy
|
151–200 |
35.5–80.4 |
55.5–150.4
|
Purple – Very Unhealthy
|
201–300 |
80.5–150.4 |
150.5–250.4
|
Dark red – Hazardous
|
301–500
|
more than 150.4 |
250.5–500
|