Air Quality Forecast

This page provides forecast information on New Hampshire's air quality. The information can be used to help you plan your daily activities and protect your health. You can also learn what the current air pollution levels are in your area by clicking on the Current Air Quality link.

Air Quality Forecast
The pollutant of concern for the period:
Range for Ozone: 0 to less than 60 parts per billion. Range for Fine Particles: 0 to less than 15.5 micrograms per cubic meter. Range for Ozone: 60 to less than 76 parts per billion. Range for Fine Particles: 15.5 to less than 35.5 micrograms per cubic meter. Range for Ozone: 76 to less than 96 parts per billion. Range for Fine Particles: 35.5 to less than 55.5 micrograms per cubic meter. Range for Ozone: 96 to less than 116 parts per billion. Range for Particles: 55.5 to less than 140.5 micrograms per cubic meter.


Relative Pollutant Levels Chart Comparison map


The air quality forecast for New Hampshire is also available on the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services' Air Quality Information Line at (800) 935-SMOG.

The forecast is made for two different air pollutants:  ground-level ozone and particle pollution.  The pollutant whose concentration is highest relative to federal standards is shown in the table above.  An Air Quality Action Day is issued when unhealthy levels are forecast for either pollutant.

Ground-level ozone, more commonly called summertime smog, is formed when pollutants (nitrogen oxides and volative organic compounds) react chemically in the presence of sunlight.   Since ground-level ozone is a summertime pollutant, air quality forecasts for ozone are provided from April through September.

Fine Particle Pollution consists of both solid and liquid particles that are less than 2.5 microns in diameter (a micron is a millionth of a meter).  Exposure to particle pollution is associated with numerous serious health effects.  Air quality forecasts for particle pollution are provided year-round.


Air Quality Guide for Ozone and Particle Pollution

Air Quality Descriptor

Populations Affected & Recommended Actions

Ozone

Particle Pollution
(fine particles)

GOOD

No health impacts expected in this range.

No health impacts expected in this range.

MODERATE

Unusually sensitive people* should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. Unusually sensitive people* should consider limiting prolonged exertion.

UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS

Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. 

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
UNHEALTHY Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.  Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

VERY UNHEALTHY

 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion. Everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors.  Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
HAZARDOUS Everyone should avoid all outdoor exertion. Everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low.

* Unusually sensitive refers to individual people who are highly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.

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