Air Quality

    The Snoqualmie Tribe does not currently have an Air Quality Program and is in the process of developing one.  This webpage is put together to put information out there regarding air pollution.  The following are links within this page to help you navigate:

• What is air pollution?

• Where does air pollution come from?

• What are the effects of air pollution?

• What can I do to reduce air pollution?

• Activities to better understand air pollution

• Current air quality conditions

• Air resources

• Global warming

• Other Pacific Northwest tribal environmental websites

What is air pollution?

    Contamination of the air that endangers our health.  This can come in the form of gases and particles. Air quality can be separated into indoor and outdoor, otherwise known as ambient, air quality. Since we spend most of our time indoors, we should be aware of where pollution comes form.

    In this part of the United States, Particulate Matter and Ozone are the biggest concerns.  Particulate matter is made up of particles so small that we cannot see them with our eyes.  They are measured in micrometers (µm), which are one millionth of a meter in diameter or 10^-6.  When these particles are inhaled, they may make breathing difficult for those with existing respiratory conditions and may exacerbate asthma attacks.

Figure 1. The size of particulate matter 10 µm and 2.5 µm in diameter compared to the size of a human hair (www.epa.gov).

     Ozone that is in the upper atmosphere protects us from the ultraviolet radiation that comes from the sun.  That ozone occurs naturally and is not harmful to us.  When ozone at a ground level combines with fine particles we get smog.  The ground level ozone is the ozone that is harmful to us.

Figure 2. The location of ozone in the atmosphere determines whether it is unhealthy for us (adapted from Ozone: good up high, bad nearby: www.epa.gov).   

    Another common form of air pollution comes from mold growing in your home.  Mold grows when moisture is present and is very common outdoors.  If you have a mold problem in your home and would like to clean it up, read a brief guide to mold, moisture, and your home.

    Lead has been known in the past to be a leading threat to the health of children.  We are exposed to lead through air, drinking water, food, contaminated soil, deteriorating paint, and dust.  SO this is considered a type of air pollution.  To learn more about lead, read the EPA's site on lead.

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Where does air pollution come from?

    There are many sources of air pollution.  The main sources of indoor air quality are the result of poor ventilation of the home.  Without proper ventilation air becomes stagnant, giving you poor air quality indoors.  Another source of indoor air pollution comes from attached garages, the emissions from cars may seep into the home.

    The main contributors to outdoor air pollution is emissions from power plants, factories, and vehicles.  What many people do not realize is that some sources may occur naturally in the environment.  Lucky for us, there are things that we can do to reduce the amount of pollution we contribute to the air.

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What are the effects of air pollution?

    The effects of air pollution vary, depending on the amount and concentration that people are exposed to.  It has been shown through scientific studies that air pollution has a negative effect on the health of individuals and may even lead to death.  Many people suffer from respiratory diseases, such as asthma.  The following are examples of the effects that air pollution has on us and the environment:

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What can I do to reduce air pollution?

• walk with your family to local place, such as the grocery store

• carpool to work with co-workers

• ride a bike when it is possible

• if you need to go a longer distance, utilize public transportation

• if you do drive, keep your car tuned up

• reduce the amount of aerosol products used in the home

• turn off lights when not is use

• do not burn plastics

• reduce the amount of time your vehicle idles

• if you know air quality is bad, don't exercise too much outdoors

• plant a tree

• use green cleaning recipes for around the house cleaners

• do not allow smoking in or near your home

• avoid buying particleboard and plywood furniture

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Activities to better understand air pollution

    The Environmental Education Outreach Program, under the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals has an air quality curriculum project page on the activities that you can use to teach children about air pollution. 

    The Environmental Protection Agency has "Project A.I.R.E." and "Tools for Schools" that includes warm up exercises, activities and reading material for teachers and students to better understand  air quality.

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Where can I go to learn more about air quality?

    Before looking at and understanding the current air quality conditions, you have to know what the Air Quality Index means.  The following table can be used as a guide when looking at the following links on the current air quality conditions.

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Current air quality conditions

North Bend monitor
	This site gives you up to date readings from North Bend for ozone and PM2.5 and how that reading is rated on the air quality index.
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
	This site contains information on current state of Washington air quality.  Ranks air good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, and unhealthy.  Useful information for those suffering from respiratory illnesses.  Also informs you of current burn bans and smog watches in the state of Washington.
Air Watch Northwest
	This site contains information on current state of Washington and Oregon air.  You can choose what county you live in and get data from all monitors in that county.
Air Now
	This site contains a national forecast for pollutants such as: ozone and pollutants.  Also includes nationwide news dealing with air quality and explains the air quality index.

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Air resources

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Global warming

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Other Pacific Northwest Tribal environmental websites

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