Air Pollution Indices: A Compendium and Assessment of Indices Used in the United States and Canada

This report presents the findings of a detailed survey of air pollution indices that are presently utilized or available. The survey included a review of the existing literature on air pollution indices, telephone discussions with personnel from the 55 largest air pollution control agencies in the United States and Canada, and a case study of a three-state region in which an attempt is being made to develop a uniform air pollution index. These three data sources have enabled the preparation of the most extensive compendium of air pollution index material currently in existence. Two general types of air pollution indices have been developed: short-term and long-term. This study provides the first systematic analysis of the short-term indices that are used routinely by local agencies and news media across the Nation to provide the public with simple guides for assessing the severity of local air pollution. Of the 55 metropolitan air pollution control agencies surveyed in the United States, 33 routinely used some form of short-term air quality index. The diversity of air pollution indices creates potential confusion, raises questions about their technical validity, and prevents the indices from being used to give a national picture of air pollution problems. Frommore » the case study and agency comments, it was possible to identify general criteria which would need to be met by a standardized index. These criteria were then used to formulate two examples of possible standardized air quality indices. To evaluate the feasibility of establishing a standardized index, it is recommended that a Federal Interagency Task Force on Air Pollution Indicators be established.« less