Air Monitoring Data & AQI

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Ozone and PM2.5 Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast

Issued: Thursday, December 7, 2023, 2:30 PM

Thursday, numerous agricultural fires across Louisiana will contribute to increased particle levels in some areas. Furthermore, light southerly to south-southeasterly winds will reduce pollutant dispersion. These conditions will yield low-Moderate AQI levels in most cities. Friday, a morning temperature inversion will trap pollutants at the surface. However, moderate southerly winds will develop by the afternoon, promoting low-level mixing and dispersion as a cold front approaches from the west. Therefore, AQI levels will be high-Good statewide. Saturday, as the front gradually passes over the state, scattered rain showers and moderate winds will enhance mixing and dispersion. As a result, AQI levels will be Good.

Baton Rouge

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 37 - Good 39 - Good 38 - Good
PM25 55 - Moderate 50 - Good 38 - Good

Alexandria

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 34 - Good 36 - Good 32 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 46 - Good 29 - Good

Lake Charles

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 37 - Good 39 - Good 35 - Good
PM25 61 - Moderate 50 - Good 33 - Good

Lafayette

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 33 - Good 35 - Good 34 - Good
PM25 55 - Moderate 50 - Good 33 - Good

Monroe

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 33 - Good 35 - Good 28 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 42 - Good 25 - Good

New Orleans

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 35 - Good 37 - Good 36 - Good
PM25 53 - Moderate 46 - Good 38 - Good

Shreveport

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 37 - Good 38 - Good 30 - Good
PM25 57 - Moderate 50 - Good 25 - Good

Thibodaux

 Thursday Friday Saturday
Ozone 34 - Good 36 - Good 35 - Good
PM25 50 - Good 42 - Good 33 - Good

More Information About Understanding AQI Information

The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or unhealthy your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern. The AQI focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing unhealthy air. The following chart provides information regarding the AQI determinations:

Category AQI Value What This Means
Good 0-50 Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Moderate 51-100 Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101-150 Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Unhealthy 151-200 Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Very Unhealthy 201-300 Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
Hazardous 301-500 Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.

Any questions about interpreting this monitoring data should be directed to the DEQ Customer Services Section at 1-866-896-5337.

TO REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, INCLUDING ODORS, CONTACT THE DEQ SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT (SPOC) - 225-219-3640 or Toll Free 1-888-763-5424. In the event of an environmental emergency, citizens are encouraged to first contact their local authorities - police, sheriff, fire department, etc. Otherwise citizens and the regulated community can contact the SPOC line to report environmental concerns during business hours, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the number listed above. To report a concern outside of business hours call 225-342-1234 or the toll free number. Concerns include spills, releases, odors, fish kills, open burning, waste tires and any other types of environmental incidents. Citizens can report the incident online.

The data has not been quality reviewed or validated. Continuous PM2.5 readings shown are not NAAQS comparable.