Part 2: Track air quality over a period of days. Procedure 1. Go to AIRNow at http://airnow.gov. a. If you live in the United States, you will use the main page. b. If you live outside the United States, find the International link at the top. Click either Canada or International, as appropriate. Canada Air Quality shows a map and provincial links. International provides links to air-quality monitoring agencies throughout the world. Adapt the following directions to the information available for your location. If information is not available for your area, you may choose to track air quality in another place that interests you. 2. Determine the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your area. a. Enter your zip code and click Go. b. Examine the tables on the page, labeled Air Quality Forecast, NowCast Air Quality Index graph, Primary Pollutant, Other Pollutants, and Current Air Quality. These give you a color-coded view of the air quality in your zip code, including specific numbers for overall pollution, particle pollution, and ozone pollution. For example, on June 18, 2010, at 9:00 a.m., the air in the 53726 zip code of Madison, Wisconsin, measured a Good (green) number of 30, but the forecast for later in the day showed pollution increasing to the Moderate (yellow) level. C. To the right of the Current Air Quality dial, click on "More Cities In [your state]". A page will open up, showing comparative air-quality numbers and colors for cities in your state. For example, on June 19, 2010, Madison had an Air Quality Index of 30; Milwaukee, a less polluted 29; and Sheboygan, a more polluted 34. d. Write down the Air Quality Index high for the day, either for your zip code or for the city nearest you. 3. Determine the concentration of particulate matter. a. Go to the AQI & Health dropdown menu at the top of the page. Click AQI Calculators. Click AQI to Concentration. The page that opens will enable you to find the concentrations of specific types of pollutants based on your AQI.

Fig: 1