"Good" AQI is 0 to 50. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
"Moderate" AQI is 51 to 100. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms.
"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" AQI is 101 to 150. Although the general public is not likely to be affected at this AQI range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air.
"Unhealthy" AQI is 151 to 200. Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.
"Very Unhealthy" is AQI is 201 to 300. This would trigger a health alert signifying that everyone may experience more serious health effects.
"Hazardous" AQI is greater than 300. This would trigger health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
LEARN MORE: Smog alerts in Atlanta: Understanding code red, code orange air quality warnings | Check today’s Air Quality Index for Atlanta
UPDATE: Atlanta is under a code red smog alert, according to WSB Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns.
“Please avoid outdoor activities as ozone will damage lungs, especially young and elderly,” Burns said.
ORIGINAL STORY:Temperatures will reach the 90s each day this week through Friday — which isn't positive news for the already unhealthy air quality in metro Atlanta.
A code orange smog alert was issued for Monday, and air quality had already turned unhealthy for sensitive groups in the metro area as of 1 p.m., according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The hotter it gets outside, the greater the risk.
Smog forms when certain pollutants combine with heat and sunlight. They produce ground-level ozone, which mixes with fine particulate matter.
Children, teenagers, the elderly and people with lung disease or asthma are encouraged to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
“Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath,” according to a post from the EPA.
Monday’s expected high is 95 degrees, according to Channel 2 Action News. That will drop to 92 degrees Tuesday and 90 Wednesday.
Temperatures were 95 degrees in Atlanta, 88 in Blairsville and 94 in Griffin just before 7:20 p.m.
“We’ll be in the low-90s even through 7 o’clock this evening,” Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said. “Now, your five-day forecast shows temperatures not quite as hot in the days ahead, but still low-90s as we’ll have a few more clouds and better rain chances.”
There is a 20 percent chance of rain Monday, a 40 percent chance Tuesday and a 60 percent chance Wednesday.
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