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Air Quality Forecast > FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I be alerted when Air Quality is forecast to be poor? Yes, you can. EPA created EnviroFlash an automated zip-code based air quality alert email notification system. EnviroFlash covers the entire state of Maine and allows the subscriber to decide at which Air Quality Index (AQI) level to receive email notification. DEP's Air Quality Meteorologists submit the forecast to EPA's AIRNOW system every day of the year. EnviroFlash will review the forecast in AIRNOW at 4:00 each afternoon and when tomorrow's forecast in your location matches the criteria you set up an email will be sent to you. Let EnviroFlash help you 'Keep an eye on the AQI'. Go to: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/enviroflash.htm for more information about EnviroFlash and how to subscribe then click on the map to initialize the subscription process for EnviroFlash! 2. Why does MEDEP issue air quality forecasts year-round? MEDEP Air Quality Meteorologists issue Air Quality Forecasts every day of the year because air quality is not just seasonal. Ozone is a photochemical pollutant which means it requires strong sunlight. That is why ozone levels are only a problem in Maine during the warmer months. However, particle pollution levels can climb at any time of the year in Maine. During the summer months particle pollution levels can rise due to regional events. During the winter particle pollution levels can climb due to a combination of factors including winter heating needs. For more information about why this is the case, go to: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/woodsmoke/woodsmokeinME.htm or http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/meteorology/airqualitytrends/partannualtrend.htm . 3. Why was Maine broken into the eight Air Quality Forecasting regions? For years we had three forecast regions: Coastal, Interior and Northern. As we learned more about how Ozone and Particle Pollution behaved in Maine it became apparent that the three regions were not adequate. They were fairly good for Ozone, but not good at all for Particle Pollution. So we refined and subdivided the former regions using the monitoring data for both pollutants and our best judgement. We created seven major forecast regions which display in the table as well as on the forecast maps. This gives us more flexibility in issuing a graphical forecast and better descriptive and consistent regional terms to use in the text and hot line messages. Of course, it also pushes us to do better and refine our forecasting knowledge. Who knows, in the years to come we may realize these seven major regions need to be revised, especially as we learn more about how pollution behaves in our northern areas. In addition to the seven major forecast regions, we've added a region called 'High Elevation'. This region includes the ozone monitor on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. The High Elevation forecast region only displays in the table because it would have been a tiny dot on the map which would have been hard to display properly. 4. The Air Quality Forecast for a pollutant is different than what the current data shows. Why is that? You are viewing the data during a small part of the day, yet values will be higher during another part of the day and that data is what the forecast is based on.
The Air Quality Trends pages have hourly and other trends for ozone and particle pollution. 5. I live on the border between two (or more) forecast regions. When they have different forecasts, which should I follow? In the atmosphere political boundaries do not exist and neither do forecast regional boundaries. The forecast regional boundaries were positioned based on years of monitoring information and our best judgement. It is a good idea to view the borders as a transition between regions rather than a sharp difference. If you are sensitive to the pollutant in question and live or expect to be along the border between two differing forecasts assume the higher forecast category from the regions will prevail in your area. This will enable you to take appropriate precautions to safeguard your health. We strive to give you the information you need to protect your health. While the new forecasting regions allow us to issue a forecast that more accurately portrays what we believe will happen, there are more border areas. 6. What is the difference between particle pollution and coarse particles mentioned in your winter forecast discussions? Particle pollution is a term that refers to very small particles that can be carried deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. These particles are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter and so small that they can remain airborne for a relatively long time. Thus, particle pollution is often referred to as PM2.5 where ‘PM’ stands for particulate matter. Particles larger than 2.5 micrometers in diameter can be filtered by the breathing passages and also settle out of the atmosphere more readily. These particles are now referred to as coarse particles and most often the size is between 2.5 to 10 micrometers. Thus coarse particles may also be referred to as PM10 or PM2.5to10. 7. I don't see information about fine particle monitoring in Aroostook County in Northern Maine on these web pages. How do you know what to forecast for this area? There is a continuous fine particle monitor run by the Aroostook Band of MicMacs in Presque Isle, Maine. They display this data at: http://www.micmacenvironmental.com/air/cfm/airdata.cfm . In addition, this data is submitted to EPA's AIRNOW website. I can view the data through AIRNOW's technical website for forecasters and monitoring personnel. The general public can also view current fine particle data in Maine (including the Presque Isle fine particle current value) by going to AIRNOW's local page: http://cfpub.epa.gov/airnow/index.cfm?action=airnow.fcsummary&stateid=23 8. Does ozone behave differently with height? Yes. We've studied years of ozone data from the Cadillac Mountain monitor. We've learned that:
For information on how ozone differs from one part of Maine to another, from one year to another and during the day please use the Air Quality Trends link in the blue column to the left. 9. I can see pollution in the air, is it ozone? Ozone is a colorless pollutant. You cannot see ozone. You may be looking at fog or mist. If you are seeing pollution in the air, it is particles. Particle pollution affects the lungs and so much more. Check out the Particle Pollution health message by going to: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/pm_health.htm. Check out the Ozone health message by going to the following link: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/ozone_health.htm. 10. MEDEP and EPA warn about Ozone yet it has been touted as a great indoor air cleaner. Why is that? Ozone in the lower atmosphere is a pollutant. There is no doubt about that. While ozone is able to clean the air, one needs to monitor its use very closely to avoid unhealthy levels. This is a very complicated process and not easily accomplished without sophisticated monitoring equipment and continuous vigilance. 11. Does MEDEP have any information about winds in Maine? Yes, we do. At: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/air_quality/ (it is also listed in the blue column as 'More Air Quality Data') you can find near real-time wind information from MEDEP monitoring locations where meteorological instruments are sited. In addition, MEDEP Air Quality Meteorologists have provided access to images (called wind roses) of wind data for sites around the state at: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/meteorology/Windrosehome.html If you have never seen a wind rose there is a web page of information about how to read a wind rose and understand what it means. It is important to realize that a wind rose is specific to that location and may not be an accurate representation of winds even a few miles away depending on several factors including topography. |
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