Https://www. epa. gov/outdoor-air-quality-data/air-da ta-aqi-plot In this lab, you will compare Air Quality Index (AQI) values for multiple pollutants for two different cities in the United States for the years 1980 and 2020. Ideally, we would use more than two years for comparison, but this exercise will give you a good sense of how air quality has changed over time in two locations, as well as how air quality compared between two parts of the country that have different size populations, types of industries, and geographic settings.

1. Go to the AQI Plot Link on the EPA’s air data website, AQI explained well here.

2. Select first pollutant, second pollutant, and year (1980 for example). You can choose any pollutants you wish; just use your knowledge of pollution sources and what you know about cities to yield a measurable change between years. You may want to use the same pollutants for each city or different pollutants.

3. Select Geographic area. Choose a big city close to you. (It may be in another state – that’s ok).

4. Hit the button “plot data”

5. The numbers on the right side of the chart show you how many days the city had AQI values for five different categories, ranging from good to very unhealthy. Record the number of days for each pollutant in the table below. Be sure to indicate the pollutant type (CO, NO2, etc) in each column header below the year.

6. As you work, snip/cut, copy and paste each AQI chart from the site at the end of this document. This will preserve your raw data. It will also help you to respond to some of the questions below.

7. Repeat steps 1-6 for City #1 in 2020 and then again for City #2 for 1980 and 2020.

AQI Category Days Per Year by Site and Pollutant Type
City #1
1980 City #1
2020 City #2
1980 City #2
2020 pollutant A? pollutant B?
Very Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy “Sensitive”
Moderate
Good
EPA Air Quality Index Data

Analysis - PLEASE RECORD YOUR ANSWERS IN A DIFFERENT COLOR FONT! Feel free to use a search engine to find out why air quality index looks different now than it did 20 years ago.

1. Using your completed data table, make at least two quantitative comparisons between city #1 and city #2. Example: “In 1980, Cleveland had XX fewer days than Los Angeles on which the AQI for CO was >50”.


2. What does the data reveal about how air quality has changed in city #1 between 1980 and 2020? Use data to support your response.


3. What do the data reveal about how air quality has changed in city #2 between 1980 and 2020? Use data to support your response.


4. Which city has better air quality in 2020? Again, support your response with data.