VISIBILITY RANGE AS A TOOL FOR ESTIMATING AIR QUALITY
Visibility (AQI) Local Landmark Level of Health Concern Visibility Example
Visibility >10 miles Air quality is considered
Slide Mountain satisfactory, and air pollution
Good = 0-50 poses little or no risk
Air quality is acceptable;
however, for some pollutants
Visibility 6 to 10 miles
there may be a moderate health
Snow Valley Peak
concern for a very small number
Moderate = 51-100
of people who are unusually
sensitive to air pollution.
Visibility 3 to 5 miles Members of sensitive groups may
experience health effects. The
Prison Hill
Unhealthy for Sensitive general public is not likely to be
Groups = 101-150 affected.
Everyone may begin to
Visibility 1.5 to 2.75 miles experience health effects;
Mouth of Ash Canyon members of sensitive groups may
Unhealthy 151-200 experience more serious health
effects.
Visibility 1 to 1.25 miles Health alert: everyone may
C Hill experience more serious health
Very Unhealthy 201-300 effects.
Visibility <1 mile Health warnings of emergency
No visible landmarks conditions. The entire population
Hazardous 301-500 is more likely to be affected.
This guidance was developed by the Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection Bureau of Air Quality Planning.
The AQI table and visibility conversions were adapted from the” Wildfire
Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials” (Rev. July 2008 with 2012 AQI
updates.
VISIBILITY TOOL FOR ESTIMATING AIR QUALITY - GUIDANCE
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection does not operate continuous air quality monitoring in
all Nevada communities. In areas that do not have monitors, visibility can serve as a quick way to
estimate air quality during times of elevated smoke or dust levels. The attached visibility table can be
used to estimate the air quality index (AQI). The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It
indicates how clean or polluted the air is, and what the associated health effects might be. Higher AQI
values indicate higher levels of air pollution, which correspond to greater health concerns. For more
information about the AQI visit https://www.airnow.gov/.
The attached visibility table can be used to estimate the air quality in your area; make sure to take the
following steps:
Face away from the sun;
Determine the limit of your visibility range by looking at something at a known distance (miles).
The visibility range is the point at which even high-contrast objects (e.g. a dark mountain against
the sky at noon) totally disappear;
After determining the visibility in miles, use the table to identify the level of health concern and
the associated protective actions recommended.
As a general rule of thumb, if you can see and/or smell smoke or dust, you may be at risk for exposure to
unhealthy levels of particulate matter. The more smoke or dust you see and smell, the more unhealthy
your exposure. When air quality is poor, stay indoors and reduce levels of outdoor activity.
Smoky or dusty conditions can be unhealthy, especially for sensitive groups, which include young
children, the elderly, those with heart conditions, and anyone with respiratory ailments such as asthma,
emphysema, and bronchitis. Although all residents should use common sense to reduce exposure to
unhealthy levels of smoke and dust, members of sensitive groups in particular are urged to take
precautions whenever smoke or dust is present.
Keep in mind that air quality can change rapidly at different times during the day, depending on fire and
wind conditions. It is important to monitor smoke or dust levels in your area throughout the day and
make outdoor plans accordingly. Air quality is expected to be affected in localized areas until the
wildfire is under control and extinguished or the wind event is over.
Please contact a member of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Bureau of Air Quality
Planning Ambient Air Monitoring Group with any air quality questions (775) 687-9349. If you have
questions about your health, please contact your local health department and/or your health care
provider.
This guidance was developed by the Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection Bureau of Air Quality Planning.
The AQI table and visibility conversions were adapted from the” Wildfire
Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials” (Rev. July 2008 with 2012 AQI
updates.
