What's the Daily Air Quality Report?
The Bureau provides information about its monitoring activities in the Daily Air Quality Report, which can also be accessed by phone at (423) 643-5971. This information, also reported to the media and doctors' offices each morning, includes:
Air Quality Index - The Air Quality Index (AQI) was designed by the EPA to provided a standardized, national method of measuring air quality. It classifies air quality concentrations as good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous, based on a scale of 0-500.
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's scale for rating air quality:
Quality Rating
Air Quality Index (AQI)
PM2.5 24-hour Average (micrograms/m3)
8-hour Ozone Concentration (ppm)
GOOD
0-50
0-15.4
0-0.064
MODERATE
51-100
15.5-40.4
0.065-0.084
UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS (UFSG)
101-150
40.5-65.4
0.085-0.104
UNHEALTHY
151-200
65.5-150.4
0.105-0.124
VERY UNHEALTHY
201-300
150.5-250.4
0.125-0.155
HAZARDOUS
>300
>250.4
>0.155
For more information, check out EPA's Air Quality Index brochure here. In Hamilton County the daily air quality level is determined by either the ozone or the particulate concentration, depending on which is higher on that day. Since the early 1980s most days have been in the good range.
Forecast - The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Air Pollution Control department gathers information from monitors all over the state. This information is then used to predict air quality for the next 48 hours. The Daily Air Quality Report includes both an actual reading from the day before and a forecast for the next day, based on TDEC's prediction.
Pollen and Mold Spore Counts - The Air Monitoring Department uses a pollen monitor to count the pollen grains and mold spores in the air. Both counts and types of pollen and mold spores are reported according to a scale that indicates the severity of the pollutant.
The Fall Scale for pollen is initiated when the first significant readings of grass or ragweed pollen occur on the monitors. The Spring Scale is initiated at the first significant readings of hardwood pollen. Grass pollens are typical in the summer and early fall months; hardwood pollens show up in late winter and continue through the summer.
Pollen, Fall Scale
Pollen, Spring Scale
Mold Spore Scale
Burning Status - Burning is allowed in Hamilton County between October 1 and April 30 with the appropriate permits. The burning status is determined by the predicted daily air quality. You can also find out the day's burning status by calling the Info Line at (423) 643-5971.
A seasonal burning ban is in effect from May 1 - September 30. The burning of garbage, trash, treated lumber, paper and cardboard is not legal at any time.
To learn more about seasonal burning or to obtain a burning permit, click here.
