Air Quality

Protecting Air Quality 

SmartCommute@rtp and many RTP companies are members of the Triangle Air Awareness Coalition.  The Coalition is a partnership of businesses, organizations and government agencies who share concerns about our local air quality.  The Coalition provides leadership that educates and mobilizes individuals to reduce their contribution to air pollution and to protect their health on days when air quality is not as good as it should be.  

The Triangle Air Awareness Program website enables students, teachers, individuals and businesses to quickly access information about air quality in the region.  The program’s goal is to help everyone in the area learn how to take action, be informed and help reduce air pollution to keep our air clean and healthy for everyone.

Air Quality Forecast

The N.C. Division of Air Quality issues daily air quality forecasts (for ozone and particle pollution) for the Triangle and other metropolitan areas of the state.  The forecasts are part of the N.C. Air Awareness Program, a voluntary effort aimed at reducing ozone in the state's major metropolitan areas.  

An Air Quality Action Day occurs when ozone levels reach the point where it is considered unhealthy to breathe outside, particularly among sensitive groups.  The forecasters use a color code system based on the EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to advise the public about ozone exposure.  The AQI runs from 0-300 and the higher the value, the greater the health concern. Air Quality Action Days occur when ozone levels are Code Orange, Red or Purple.

Do you know what color your air is today?

If you would like to receive daily air quality forecasts, you can easily subscribe to AirNow Enviroflash emails which will deliver important health and air quality forecasts right to your inbox!  Or you can check out the forecast online each day.

Many RTP companies post large signs (during peak ozone formation time during the summer) at campus entrances with the daily forecast to inform employees about our local air quality.  

What can you do?

As part of this program, air quality officials are asking residents of the Triangle and surrounding counties to help reduce air pollution, especially on Air Quality Action Days.  Here’s how:

  • Limit driving by riding the bus, carpooling, biking or walking to your destination If you drive, avoid idling for long periods of time, stay within speed limits, combine errands to reduce the number of small trips, make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure, and use vehicles with higher fuel economies.  Also, don’t refuel your car until after 6 pm to reduce emissions during the peak daylight hours when ozone formation is most likely.  
  • Take your lunch to work (so you aren’t driving to lunch during the hours when ozone formation is most likely) and when you’re at work, turn off lights in areas that aren’t being used and use the energy saving mode on your computer and other office equipment.
  • At home, you can choose energy efficient appliances (www.energystar.gov), replace your air filters monthly to increase efficiency, use compact fluorescent light bulbs, conserve electricity by setting thermostats at the highest comfortable temperature and turning off/unplugging appliances that are not in use, avoid using harsh chemicals that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reduce mowing by landscaping with natural areas, and use hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment whenever possible (or wait until after 6 pm if you must use gas-powered equipment.