By Joe Edwards
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Residents near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, faced potentially harmful levels of air pollution on Friday morning, a live map from AirNow showed.
The map showed levels of fine particle (PM2.5) pollution in the "unhealthy" category spanning communities east and south of Baton Rouge, including over Gonzales, Albany, Donaldsonville, Killian, Independence, Montpelier, and Pine Grove.
AirNow is a partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other agencies.
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Why It Matters
Experts caution that deteriorating air quality heightens health risks for vulnerable populations, such as older adults, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses.
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What To Know
When air quality reaches the "unhealthy" category for air pollution, the EPA advises sensitive groups to avoid long or intense outdoor activities, and to consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.
The rest of the population should reduce long or intense activities, and take more breaks during outdoor activities, according to the agency.
The Air Quality Index measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 301:
- 0—50 (Green): Good — air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- 51—100 (Yellow): Moderate — air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
- 101—150 (Orange): Unhealthy for sensitive groups — members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
- 151—200 (Red): Unhealthy — some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
- 201—300 (Purple): Very unhealthy — health alert. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
- 301 and higher (Maroon): Hazardous — health warning of emergency conditions. Everyone is more likely to be affected.
What People Are Saying
Jonathan Grigg, a professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary University of London, previously told Newsweek that there are "very clear links" between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
He added: "There are vulnerable groups and classically they are children because they've got an extra issue to do with their lungs developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults."
What Happens Next
AirNow's map is updated frequently.
Regional forecast updates are issued by the National Weather Service on its website and social media channels.
Update 10/17/2025, 9:45 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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