Description of the Indicator
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to measure and communicate air quality based on five major pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. AQI values from 0–50 are considered good, 51–100 moderate, 101–150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 unhealthy, 201–300 very unhealthy, and values above 300 hazardous. The charts below show the number of unhealthy AQI days and the median AQI reported for the region. Data for Wayne County were unavailable.
Why is it important?
Monitoring air quality helps protect public health and supports efforts to identify pollution trends and reduce exposure to harmful pollutants. Poor air quality can have a greater impact on children, older adults, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
How is the region doing?
Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties have generally reported few unhealthy AQI days in recent years. Recent data for Luzerne County are limited, while Wayne County data are unavailable. Median AQI values for the available counties have remained within the “Good” range in the most recent years.