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Air Quality in the Flathead Valley

GOOD: Visibility >11.25 Miles  Particulate Level guideline: 0.0-40.0µg/m³
No restrictions necessary.

Air pollution levels will vary throughout the county and reliance upon health department monitoring information may not be prudent in some cases. Since there is a strong correlation between air pollution particulate levels and reduction in visibility, we suggest that the following information be utilized to determine potential health effects and subsequent activity levels associated with particulate air pollution.

HAZARDOUS: Visibility < .9 Miles  //Particulate level guideline:  greater than or equal to 500.1 µg/m³
Serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; serious risk of respiratory effects in the general population. Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors.

VERY UNHEALTHY: Visibility .9-1.49 Miles Particulate level guideline: 300.1µg/m³-500.0µg/m³

Significant aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; significant risk of respiratory effects in the general population. People with respiratory and heart disease and the elderly and children should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion.

UNHEALTHY: Visibility 1.50-2.56 Miles:   Particulate level guideline: 175.1µg/m³-300µg/m³. Increased aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly, increased respiratory effects in the general population. People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion.

UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS: Visibility 2.57-5.61 Miles:   Particulate level guideline:   80.1µg/m³-175.0µg/m³ Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly. People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion.

MODERATE: Visibility 5.62 - 11.24 Miles Particulate level guideline:   40.1µg/m³-80.0µg/m³
Possibility of aggravation of heart or lung disease among persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly.

GOOD: Visibility >11.25 Miles  Particulate Level guideline: 0.0-40.0µg/m³
No restrictions necessary.

We will be updating information as necessary. Further information may be found on our web site at www.flatheadhealth.org or the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s web site at www.deq.state.mt.us.

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Last Updated 4/25/03