News & Notices

Wildfire Smoke Update: Tuesday, September 15, 2020: On a positive note…..The 24-hour average PM2.5 (wildfire smoke) concentration yesterday (Monday) was 357.5 micrograms with a corresponding 24-hr average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 406, which is lower than Sunday’s record. Still way above the 24-hour, health-based standard of 35 micrograms and still in the hazardous range,…

What’s the difference between the Current AQI and the Daily (24-hour) AQI ? First – some quick basics about the AQI The U.S. Air Quality Index, or AQI, was developed by EPA as a tool for communicating daily air quality. Pollutant concentrations are converted to the AQI scale. The higher the AQI value, the greater the…

Monday, September 14, 2020 Fine particle pollution measured in Spokane’s air yesterday (24 hour average) was 468.6 micrograms/cubic meter of air. This is more than 13 times the national, health-based standard of 35 micrograms/cubic meter of air, 24 hour average, midnight to midnight. Concentrations of fine particles are converted to an Air Quality Index scale…

According to the Washington State Department of health, “This wildfire season will be especially challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is concern about the health impacts of wildfire smoke overlapping with COVID-19 because both impact respiratory and immune systems. COVID-19 restrictions limit how we can reduce our reduce exposure to wildfire smoke.” Because of this,…

We think learning how to take care of the environment is important. With the Spokane EnviroKids’ Club, students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Spokane County can team up to explore all parts of the environment: air, water, weather, garbage & recycling, plants & animals.  “The EnviroKids’ Club is a great way for students to…

Ground-level ozone is a harmful, invisible air pollutant most prevalent in Spokane during the hot months of July and August.  What is ozone and why is it a summer air pollution problem? Ozone can be "good" or "bad" depending on its location in the atmosphere. In the upper atmosphere,"good" ozone is produced naturally and protects…