Virginia DEQ - DEQcast - Air quality health alerts

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to Resume Ozone Air Quality Forecasts via E-mail on Monday, April 15th

Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov (Dan Salkovitz) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:34:58 EDT

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to Resume Ozone Air Quality Forecasts via E-mail on Monday, April 15th

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will resume ground-level ozone air quality forecasts in addition to the currently-issued particle pollution forecasts via e-mail on Monday, April 15th. Air quality forecasts will be issued for Roanoke, Hampton Roads, Winchester and Richmond. Forecasts will be issued through Friday, September 27th. If you know someone else who would like to receive these forecasts, please have them sign up to receive the daily forecasts and/or air quality health alerts at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/ConnectWithDEQ/NewsFeeds.aspx.

DEQ will issue forecasts for the following day by 3:10 pm EDT. An Air Quality Health Advisory will be issued for any region of Virginia where unhealthy levels occur. Beginning April 15th, color-coded air quality forecasts and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for each area will be available on the DEQ web site at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Air/AirQualityForecasting.aspx. Air quality forecasts are also available via an RSS feed at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/lists/?action=rss_list&id=16 and via the EPA AIRNow web site at http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid=48&tab=0. Additionally, air quality health alerts are available via an RSS feed at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/lists/?action=rss_list&id=15. Generally, our qualitative forecast accuracy is around 80 percent correct in each location.

The AQI may peak well after 6:00 pm in most areas when ozone is the dominant pollutant. It may peak overnight or in the early morning hours in the Shenandoah National Park. The particle pollution AQI is usually higher than the ozone AQI in the morning hours due to the diurnal pattern of ozone formation. Particle pollution levels may stay elevated all day and/or night whereas ozone levels peak in the afternoon and early evening hours. Animated air quality maps for "North Carolina/Virginia" will be found at http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid=48&tab=0. These maps are updated hourly. Maps such as these are also available from weather service data providers such as WSI, Weather Central Inc., and others for on-air use. Television stations are urged to use the air quality maps regularly in conjunction with the DEQ air quality forecasts to inform the public about daily air quality in their area.

DEQ uses a color-code forecast scheme:

Code Green indicates good air quality is expected the following day with either PM2.5 or ozone in the healthy range. Air quality is considered satisfactory with little or no risk.
Code Yellow indicates moderate air quality is expected the following day with either PM2.5 or ozone in the moderate range. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities.
Please note: An Air Quality Action Day will begin at the Code Orange level. A Code Orange Air Quality Action Day indicates unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups air quality is expected the following day. Active children and adults and people with cardio or respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities.
A Code Red Air Quality Action Day indicates unhealthy air quality is expected the following day. Active children and adults, and people with cardio or respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema should avoid prolonged strenuous outdoor activities. Everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged strenuous outdoor activities.
A Code Purple Air Quality Action Day indicates very unhealthy air quality is expected the following day. Active children and adults, people unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), and older adults should avoid all outdoor strenuous activities. Everyone else should limit strenuous outdoor activities.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Bill Hayden, Communications Manager, DEQ Public Information and Outreach at William.Hayden@deq.virginia.gov or (804) 698-4447, Mike Kiss, DEQ Meteorologist at Michael.Kiss@deq.virginia.gov or (804) 698-4460,, Kristen Stumpf, DEQ Meteorologist at Kristen.Stumpf@deq.virginia.gov or (804) 698-4414, or me, Dan Salkovitz, DEQ Meteorologist at Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov or (804) 698-4404 (usually 6:30 am-3:15 pm).

Dan Salkovitz
Meteorologist
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218
Street address: 629 E. Main St., 8th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 698-4404 Fax: (804) 698-4510
Phone toll-free in Virginia: (1-800) 592-5482 ext. 4404
Work e-mail: Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov
Other e-mail: dsalkovi@yahoo.com
Air Quality Forecast Webpage:
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Air/AirQualityForecasting.aspx
Office of Air Quality Assessments Webpage:
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Air/AirQualityAssessments.aspx

Seasonal suspension of daily ozone forecasts as of 9/28; Daily particle pollution forecasts continue year-round

Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov (Dan Salkovitz) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:39:29 EDT

Seasonal suspension of daily ozone forecasts as of 9/28; Daily particle pollution forecasts continue year-round

As we enter fall, days grow shorter and temperatures cool. And ground-level ozone concentrations remain in the good or, at worst, moderate range. As a result, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will suspend daily ground-level ozone forecasts for Richmond, Hampton Roads, Winchester and Roanoke as of September 28th. The last ozone forecast for the season will be issued on September 27th. However, daily air quality forecasts for particle pollution will continue through the fall, winter and spring for Richmond, Hampton Roads, Roanoke and Winchester. They will continue to be emailed daily and posted at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Air/AirQualityForecasting.aspx. Ozone forecasts for Richmond, Roanoke, Winchester and Hampton Roads will resume in Spring 2013 when warmer, ozone-conducive weather returns.

Dan Salkovitz
Meteorologist
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
8th floor, Air Division
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218
Street address: 629 E. Main St., Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 698-4404 Fax: (804) 698-4510
Phone toll-free in Virginia: (1-800) 592-5482 ext. 4404
Work Email: Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov
Other Email: dsalkovi@yahoo.com
Access the Air Quality Forecast Webpage:
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Air/AirQualityForecasting.aspx (new link)
Access the Office of Air Quality Assessments Webpage:
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Air/AirQualityAssessments.aspx (new link)

Code Orange air quality in the Richmond area as of 1:00 pm, Wednesday, July 18th

Kristen.Stumpf@deq.virginia.gov (Kristen Stumpf) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:35:56 EDT

As of 1:00 pm, Wednesday, July 18th, the estimated Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Richmond area based upon the current ground-level ozone concentrations is in the Code Orange range (http://vadeq.ipsmtx.com/cgi-bin/air_quality_forecast.pl). Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit strenuous outdoor activities through this evening.

DEQ recommends that people take these voluntary steps:
-- Avoid unnecessary car trips. Combine errands.
-- Share a ride or use public transportation.
-- Limit or halt use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment and solvents.
-- Avoid excessive engine idling.
-- Telecommute.
-- Conserve electricity.
-- Avoid burning yard debris or brush.

Kristen Stumpf
VADEQ Meteorologist

Code Orange air quality in the Richmond area as of 1:00 pm, Tuesday, July 17th

Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov (Dan Salkovitz) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:22:04 EDT

As of 1:00 pm, Tuesday, July 17th, the estimated Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Richmond area based upon the current ground-level ozone concentrations is in the Code Orange range (http://vadeq.ipsmtx.com/cgi-bin/air_quality_forecast.pl). Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit strenuous outdoor activities through this evening.

DEQ recommends that people take these voluntary steps:
-- Avoid unnecessary car trips. Combine errands.
-- Share a ride or use public transportation.
-- Limit or halt use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment and solvents.
-- Avoid excessive engine idling.
-- Telecommute.
-- Conserve electricity.
-- Avoid burning yard debris or brush.

Dan Salkovitz
VADEQ Meteorologist

Code Orange air quality in the Richmond area as of 5:00 pm, Sunday, July 8th

Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov (Dan Salkovitz) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 17:47:35 EDT

As of 5:00 pm, Sunday, July 8th, the estimated Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Richmond area based upon the current ground-level ozone concentrations is in the Code Orange range (http://vadeq.ipsmtx.com/cgi-bin/air_quality_forecast.pl). Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit strenuous outdoor activities through this evening.

DEQ recommends that people take these voluntary steps:
-- Avoid unnecessary car trips. Combine errands.
-- Share a ride or use public transportation.
-- Limit or halt use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment and solvents.
-- Avoid excessive engine idling.
-- Telecommute.
-- Conserve electricity.
-- Avoid burning yard debris or brush.

Dan Salkovitz
VADEQ Meteorologist

Code Orange air quality in the Hampton Roads area as of 2:00 pm, Friday, July 6th

Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov (Dan Salkovitz) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:29:24 EDT

As of 2:00 pm, Friday, July 6th, the estimated Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Hampton Roads area based upon the current ground-level ozone concentrations is in the Code Orange range (http://vadeq.ipsmtx.com/cgi-bin/air_quality_forecast.pl). Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit strenuous outdoor activities through this evening.

DEQ recommends that people take these voluntary steps:
-- Avoid unnecessary car trips. Combine errands.
-- Share a ride or use public transportation.
-- Limit or halt use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment and solvents.
-- Avoid excessive engine idling.
-- Telecommute.
-- Conserve electricity.
-- Avoid burning yard debris or brush.

Dan Salkovitz
VADEQ Meteorologist

Code Orange air quality in the Roanoke area as of 1:00 pm, Tuesday, July 3rd

Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov (Dan Salkovitz) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:24:55 EDT

As of 1:00 pm, Tuesday, July 3rd, the estimated Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Roanoke area based upon the current ground-level ozone concentrations is in the Code Orange range (http://vadeq.ipsmtx.com/cgi-bin/air_quality_forecast.pl). Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit strenuous outdoor activities through this evening.

DEQ recommends that people take these voluntary steps:
-- Avoid unnecessary car trips. Combine errands.
-- Share a ride or use public transportation.
-- Limit or halt use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment and solvents.
-- Avoid excessive engine idling.
-- Telecommute.
-- Conserve electricity.
-- Avoid burning yard debris or brush.

Dan Salkovitz
VADEQ Meteorologist

Code Orange air quality in the Richmond area as of 12:00 pm, Tuesday, July 3rd

Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov (Dan Salkovitz) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:06:34 EDT

As of 12:00 pm, Tuesday, July 3rd, the estimated Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Richmond area based upon the current ground-level ozone concentrations is in the Code Orange range (http://vadeq.ipsmtx.com/cgi-bin/air_quality_forecast.pl). Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit strenuous outdoor activities through this evening.

DEQ recommends that people take these voluntary steps:
-- Avoid unnecessary car trips. Combine errands.
-- Share a ride or use public transportation.
-- Limit or halt use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment and solvents.
-- Avoid excessive engine idling.
-- Telecommute.
-- Conserve electricity.
-- Avoid burning yard debris or brush.

Dan Salkovitz
VADEQ Meteorologist

DEQ web page current conditions display is erroneous

Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov (Dan Salkovitz) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 09:08:30 EDT

As of Saturday morning, June 30th, the DEQ web air quality page (http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Air/AirQualityForecasting.aspx) indicates erroneous "current conditions". The "current conditions" are still indicating the code orange and code red conditions that were occurring Friday, June 29th. We are unable to address the apparent problem at an external-to-DEQ web server until Monday. Please use http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid=48&tab=0 for the duration of the weekend to view current air quality conditions. However, it appears that the air forecasts are updated correctly.

Dan Salkovitz
VADEQ Meteorologist

Code Red air quality in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas as of 5:00 pm, Friday, June 29th

Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov (Dan Salkovitz) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:11:38 EDT

As of 5:00 pm, Friday, June 29th, the estimated Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas based upon the current ground-level ozone concentrations has reach the Code Red range (http://vadeq.ipsmtx.com/cgi-bin/air_quality_forecast.pl). Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should avoid strenuous outdoor activities through this evening. Everyone else, especially children, should reduce strenuous outdoor activities through this evening.

The air quality forecast for both areas is Code Orange for Saturday.

DEQ recommends that people take these voluntary steps:
-- Avoid unnecessary car trips. Combine errands.
-- Share a ride or use public transportation.
-- Limit or halt use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment and solvents.
-- Avoid excessive engine idling.
-- Telecommute.
-- Conserve electricity.
-- Avoid burning yard debris or brush.

Dan Salkovitz
VADEQ Meteorologist