Springfield’s Air Quality Index will continue to report at “moderate” and “good” conditions as smoke from Canadian wildfires descends on the United States, primarily affecting Northeastern states this week.
What does this mean for Springfield residents? A small number of people with air pollution sensitivities or allergies may want to take precautions, such as limiting time outdoors or opting for air recirculation in the car. However, a “moderate” AQI means the air quality is generally “acceptable,” according to Springfield Environmental Services.
- Air quality is based on five pollutants in the air: carbon monoxide, ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide, according to Springfield Environmental Services.
- A ranking from 0 to 50 is considered “good,” while a ranking from 51 to 100 is “moderate.” Ratings from 101 to 150 are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, and an AQI score above 150 is unhealthy.
The AQI will remain at “moderate” levels Friday but improve to receive a “good” rating for the next five days, according to IQAir, a Swiss air quality company that measures and reports conditions across the globe.
Recent rains are partly to thank for the satisfactory air quality this week, said Angelica Soria, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Springfield.
“Since we've gotten some welcome rain over the past couple days, that helps to kind of wash out some of the smoke in the air,” Soria said. “So, the areas that have seen rain probably don't have to worry as much as going into this weekend.”
With more rain and a cold front in the Springfield forecast for June 11, Soria said the traveling smoke is “not a huge concern for us down here in Springfield.”
If air conditions worsen, the National Weather Service will notify the public with an air quality alert.
