Indicator 3:	Good air quality days
	Trend
	vs. Georgia

What does it measure?
This indicator measures the percent of days on which the daily maximum hourly Air Quality Index (AQI) was in the “Good” range. The measured pollutant concentration in the air is converted to a number from 0 to 500. A “Good” air quality index rating is defined as less than 50 on this scale. AQI from 51 to 100 means that there is a moderate level of air pollution but it will be safe for most people. When AQI is from 101 to 150, the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as older adults, younger children and those with respiratory sensitivity. The air is unhealthy when AQI is from 151 to 200, and very unhealthy from 201 to 300. When AQI is over 300, the air is hazardous and the entire population is likely to be affected.
 

Why is it important?
Good air quality improves the quality of life of the people living in a community. The Air Quality Index is a nationally standardized measure of daily air quality conditions in relation to its effects on health. The pollutants measured daily are ground level of ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. An unhealthy level of these air pollutants caused by an increasing amount of motor fuels or factory exhaust generates health problems and harms the environment. It especially endangers the health of sensitive groups such as asthmatics, children, or elderly people. Therefore it is essential for a community to regularly monitor the level of air pollution and develop policies to meet or exceed federal standards for air quality.

How are we doing?
In 2011 the percent of “Good” air quality days in Savannah decreased to 64.1% from 74.5% (2010).  The reduction of “Good” days was reflected by an increase in the percent of “Moderate” and “Worse than Moderate” days.   Although there was a decrease in the percentage of “Good” days, Savannah’s air quality continues to be better than that of Georgia’s urban areas.  The seven metropolitan areas are Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, North Georgia, and Savannah.  Across Georgia, the percent of “Good” days decreased from 56.1% (2010) to 51.2% (2011).  There was an increase in percent of days under Moderate, Worse than Moderate, and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in Georgia’s urban areas from 2010 to 2011.
        
 

AIR QUALITY INDEX IN SAVANNAH Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SAVANNAH	Good	Moderate	Worse than Moderate	Unhealthy for sensitive groups	Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy	Not Available
2000	87.4%	12.3%	0.3%	0.3%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
2001	91.5%	7.1%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	1.4%
2002	92.9%	5.8%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	1.4%
2003	84.9%	14.8%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.3%
2004	64.5%	33.9%	1.4%	1.4%	0.0%	0.0%	0.3%
2005	48.5%	46.8%	1.6%	1.4%	0.0%	0.3%	3.0%
2006	44.1%	54.8%	1.1%	0.5%	0.0%	0.5%	0.0%
2007	54.0%	40.8%	3.0%	2.5%	0.5%	0.0%	2.2%
2008	66.4%	33.3%	0.3%	0.3%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
2009	79.7%	17.8%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	2.5%
2010	74.5%	23.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	2.5%
2011	64.1%	29.6%	2.7%	2.5%	0.3%	0.0%	3.6%

Note: “Worse than Moderate” includes unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy and very unhealthy.

                                           
                                              AIR QUALITY INDEX IN GEORGIA
                                 Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources

GEORGIA	Good	Moderate	Worse than Moderate	Unhealthy for sensitive groups	Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy	Not Available
2000	63.4%	12.1%	3.7%	2.9%	0.7%	0.1%	20.9%
2001	61.2%	12.5%	1.4%	1.3%	0.1%	0.0%	24.9%
2002	62.3%	12.8%	2.5%	2.2%	0.3%	0.0%	22.4%
2003	58.9%	26.5%	1.4%	1.2%	0.2%	0.0%	13.3%
2004	52.3%	40.4%	2.9%	2.8%	0.0%	0.0%	4.4%
2005	46.0%	47.3%	3.2%	3.1%	0.1%	0.0%	3.4%
2006	44.4%	51.9%	3.3%	2.7%	0.5%	0.1%	0.5%
2007	49.7%	43.1%	4.5%	3.7%	0.8%	0.0%	2.7%
2008	55.5%	39.3%	2.4%	2.2%	0.2%	0.1%	2.7%
2009	60.9%	32.8%	1.0%	0.9%	0.1%	0.0%	5.3%
2010	56.1%	39.1%	2.0%	1.7%	0.2%	0.0%	2.8%
2011	51.2%	42.0%	2.9%	2.7%	0.1%	0.0%	3.9%

Note: “Worse than Moderate” includes unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy and very unhealthy.