Air Quality Index
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a standardized measurement that tells you how clean or polluted the air is and what health effects you might experience. It combines multiple pollutant measurements into a single, easy-to-understand number.
AQI scale
| AQI | Level | Health implications |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50 | Good | Air quality is satisfactory, little or no risk |
| 51-100 | Moderate | Acceptable; some pollutants may affect unusually sensitive people |
| 101-150 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | Sensitive groups may experience health effects |
| 151-200 | Unhealthy | Everyone may begin to experience health effects |
| 201-300 | Very Unhealthy | Health alert: significant health effects for everyone |
| 301-500 | Hazardous | Emergency conditions: serious health effects for entire population |
How AQI is calculated
The AQI takes readings of multiple pollutants:
- PM2.5 — Fine particulate matter
- PM10 — Coarse particulate matter
- NO2 — Nitrogen dioxide
- O3 — Ground-level ozone
- SO2 — Sulfur dioxide (where measured)
- CO — Carbon monoxide (where measured)
The pollutant with the highest individual index becomes the overall AQI. This ensures the index reflects the most significant health risk at any moment.
Using AQI in AirScape
AirScape displays AQI values:
- On the heat map as color-coded zones
- In place cards for specific locations
- In historical charts showing trends over time
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