Speak out in support of clean air. Community leaders need to hear from people who are concerned about the toll air pollution is taking on the health of our children. Every day during the summer ozone season, air quality data is collected and made available to the public by your state or local air pollution control agency. Often these agencies will also provide a forecast for the next day. Air quality information may be included as part of the weather forecast on TV and radio, or printed in the newspaper.
Many states have websites on the Internet where they post ozone forecasts.
Ozone air pollution levels are reported to the public using what is usually called the Air Quality Index or Pollutant Standard Index, which gives a number value from 1 to 500 for the amount of ozone in the air. Number values are lumped into categories from Good all the way up to Hazardous. Many local areas also use colors to correspond with the categories. Note that the index does vary somewhat from place to place, and may be slightly different than pictured below. The chart below gives some general guidance about how various ozone levels might affect you and your family, but it is important to keep in mind that individuals vary greatly in how sensitive they are to air pollution.