Action Days

Air Quality Action Days l 10 Ways to Help Clear the Air | Code Orange Actions

Air Quality Action Days

Local air quality affects how we live and breath. During the months of May through September, air quality in the Northern Shenandoah Valley may occasionally reach unhealthy levels due to high concentrations of ground level ozone. Regional pollution monitors and air quality models help state and local environmental agencies predict when unhealthy concentrations may occur. As a result, Air Quality Action Days are designated to urge citizens to take voluntary action to protect their health and reduce ground-level ozone. The Northern Shenandoah Valley is just one of hundreds of communities nationwide to adopt the Action Days program.

Air Quality Action Days are designated for the City of Winchester and Frederick County when ground-level ozone concentrations are forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, or Code Orange on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Air Quality Action Day alerts are distributed to the local media and announced on this website. Additionally, if you would like to be notified of Air Quality Action Days by e-mail, please contact us.

When you are alerted to an Air Quality Action Day, consult the AQI and Action Guide below, as well as our individual action tips, to find out what you can do to protect yourself and the air we breathe. And if you are a member of our local business community, please consider learning about how your organization can take part in the Action Days effort through our business outreach and promotions program, The Valley AIRCorps. If we work together, we can ensure the air quality in our area remains healthy. Do your share to preserve our air. Individuals and employers alike can take easy and effective actions to to reduce production of and exposure to air pollution.

On 46 occasions since 1992, Winchester-Frederick County has exceeded safe concentrations of ground level ozone.

On Air Quality Action Days, air quality is expected to reach Code Orange or higher on the AQI. The AQI is a handy graphic representation rating air quality by color, ranging from green (good), through yellow, orange, and red (unhealthy).

The Air Quality Index

CODE RED
Air Quality: Unhealthy
Recommended Action: Everyone, especially children, should limit heavy or prolonged outdoor exertion.

Limit driving and refuel cars after dusk.
Avoid mowing lawns with gas-powered mowers.
Put off any painting until later.
Don't use aerosol consumer products.
Barbecue only with propane gas

CODE ORANGE
Air Quality: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
Recommended Action: Active children and adults, people who have trouble breathing or have respiratory disease such as asthma, should limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

Limit driving and refuel cars after dusk.
Avoid using aerosol products
Share a ride, use transit, or drive only their best maintained, most fuel-efficient vehicle.

CODE YELLOW
Air Quality: Moderate
Recommended Action: Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged exertion.

Consolidate trips and errands.
Limit car idling when possible.
Conserve electricity and set air conditioners to 78° F.

CODE GREEN
Air Quality: Good
Recommended Action:

Carpool, use transit, bike, or walk.
Keep cars and boats tuned.
Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products.