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The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a system used to communicate about outdoor air quality and health, specifically warning the public when air pollution is dangerous. The AQI was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide a simple, uniform way to report daily air quality conditions. The AQI tracks ozone (smog) and particle pollution (tiny particles from smoke, power plants, factories, vehicle exhaust, and other sources), as well as four other widespread air pollutants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To warn the public when air pollution is dangerous and communicate about outdoor air quality and health |
| Pollutants measured | Ozone (smog), particle pollution (tiny particles from smoke, power plants and factories, vehicle exhaust, and other sources), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and four other widespread air pollutants |
| Pollutant concentration | AQI values are calculated by converting measured pollutant concentrations to a uniform index based on the health effects associated with a pollutant |
| Health concerns | AQI values below 50 represent good air quality, while values over 300 represent hazardous air quality. AQI values above 100 indicate unhealthy air quality, first for sensitive groups of people, then for everyone as values increase |
| Categories | Six color-coded categories, each corresponding to a range of index values |
| Health benchmarks | Established by the EPA through the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and reviewed every five years as mandated by the Clean Air Act |
| Forecasts | Dependent on temperatures, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover |
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Particle pollution
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to communicate outdoor air quality and associated health risks to the public. It is colour-coded, with higher values indicating greater levels of air pollution and health concerns. Particle pollution is one of the six major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act and monitored by the AQI. By tracking AQI levels, individuals can take steps to protect themselves and their families from the harmful effects of particle pollution.
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Ozone pollution
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a system used to warn the public about dangerous levels of air pollution. The AQI is divided into six categories, with an AQI value of 50 or below representing good air quality, and an AQI value over 300 representing hazardous air quality. The AQI tracks five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act, including ozone (smog) and particle pollution.
Ozone (O3) is a gas molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. While the ozone layer found high in the upper atmosphere shields us from much of the sun's ultraviolet radiation, ozone at ground level is a harmful air pollutant due to its effects on people and the environment. Ground-level ozone is formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources chemically react with sunlight. It is most likely to reach unhealthy levels on hot sunny days in urban environments, but can still reach high levels during colder months and in rural areas due to wind.
Ozone is one of the most dangerous and widespread pollutants in the U.S. It is often referred to as smog as it concentrates and mixes with other pollutants. Ozone aggressively attacks lung tissue by reacting chemically with it, causing serious health problems. Studies have shown that the risk of premature death increases with higher levels of ozone exposure, even when other pollutants are present. Certain groups of people are especially vulnerable to the effects of breathing ozone, including those with pre-existing medical conditions such as lung diseases and metabolic disorders, as well as women who may face higher respiratory health risks.
To protect public health, the EPA establishes national air quality standards and designates areas as attainment or nonattainment based on their air quality. States with nonattainment areas must draft a plan to improve air quality and reduce emissions of pollutants that form ground-level ozone. The EPA also provides year-round AQI forecasts and maps that show how pollution levels change throughout the day, helping individuals take steps to protect themselves from unhealthy levels of air pollution.
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Carbon monoxide
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a system used to warn the public about dangerous levels of air pollution. The AQI includes six colour-coded categories, each corresponding to a range of index values. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the more serious the health concern.
Nationally, and especially in urban areas, the majority of outdoor CO emissions into ambient air come from mobile sources. CO can also be formed through photochemical reactions in the atmosphere from methane, non-methane hydrocarbons, other volatile organic compounds, and organic molecules in surface waters and soils. There are also a number of indoor sources of CO that contribute to total exposure, including gas stoves, malfunctioning or improperly vented gas appliances (such as water heaters and clothes dryers), space heaters, fireplaces, tobacco smoke, and car idling in attached garages.
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Sulfur dioxide
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used by the EPA to communicate information about outdoor air quality and health. The AQI measures six pollutants: ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead.
SO2 contributes to acid rain and can cause respiratory problems. Monitoring stations with specialized instruments, such as continuous analyzers, collect real-time data for sulfur dioxide levels in the atmosphere. These stations are part of extensive monitoring networks that provide comprehensive spatial and temporal data on pollutant levels across a region.
The AQI values for sulfur dioxide indicate the level of air pollution and associated health risks. An AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while a value over 300 indicates hazardous air quality. When the AQI value for sulfur dioxide is above 100, it is considered unhealthy, first for sensitive groups and then for everyone as the value increases. Precautionary health warnings are triggered as sulfur dioxide levels rise beyond health standards.
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Nitrogen dioxide
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a system used to warn the public about dangerous levels of air pollution. It is a tool for communicating about outdoor air quality and health. The AQI includes six color-coded categories, with each category corresponding to a range of index values. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the more serious the health concerns.
Exposure to NO2 can irritate the airways, causing a regular cough and difficulty in breathing. It can also lead to shortness of breath and reduced lung function. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the recommended daily guideline for NO2 exposure is 13.29 parts per billion (ppb). However, in some areas, such as London and Northshore, the NO2 levels have been recorded to be significantly below the recommended WHO guideline, indicating healthy and safe air quality for residents.
It is important for individuals to be aware of the AQI levels in their area, especially for those who are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution, such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. By tracking the AQI, individuals can take necessary precautions to protect their health when air pollution levels are high.
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Frequently asked questions
AQI stands for Air Quality Index, a system used to warn the public about dangerous levels of air pollution.
The AQI measures five major air pollutants: ozone (smog), particle pollution (tiny particles from smoke, power plants, factories, vehicle exhaust, and other sources), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
The AQI is calculated by converting measured pollutant concentrations into a uniform index based on the health effects associated with a pollutant. The pollutant with the highest AQI value determines the overall AQI for that hour.
