http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/healthdepa_285.mp3
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department now has a new way of monitoring the local air quality.
KSMU's Matt Petcoff tells us how the Health Department's new equipment may help you breathe easier...
You probably know there's more in the air around us than just the oxygen we breathe in each day.
But, you might not know the air circulating around Springfield could contain harmful materials.
So the Springfield-Greene County Health Department is working to better monitor Springfield's air quality.
And, the health department is now using a Fine Particulate Monitor which measures the air quality in hourly levels of pollution.
Doug Neidigh is the Air Quality Control Coordinator with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.
He says the monitor tests for pollutants which come from a variety of sources in the area.
The Fine Particulate Monitor collects samples of air and filters out everything except the pollutants.
It then measures the level of pollutants and sends the data the Environmental Protection Agency.
The E-P-A uses this information to calculate the current Air Quality Index, which indicates how clean the air is in a certain area.
The index lists the air quality in one of six categories which range from good to hazardous.
Neidigh says what's important to understand is the precautions you should take when the A-Q-I reaches a certain level.
To find out what the community can do to improve air quality, the health department has formed the Springfield Air Quality Commission.
The commission is made up of local government leaders, business owners and community activists interested in bettering our air.
Neidigh says the commission is trying to get officials from neighboring communities to participate.
And, he hopes the commission will be able to begin an internship program this summer that would allow students to work on air quality projects throughout the area.