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Pollutants - the main offenders

The AirScape AQI measures four of the pollutants that have adverse health effects:

  • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) - a toxic gas produced from burning fuels, including traffic and gas boilers. It inflames the lining of your lungs and reduces your immunity to chest infections. It's particularly harmful for asthmatics.

  • Ozone (O3) - ground level 'summertime smog' where pollution reacts with sunlight. It can cause breathlessness and irritation to the nose and throat.

  • Particulate Matter:

    • PM10 - airborne particles <10μm/m³ (micrometers, one-millionth of a meter per meter cubed) of dust, smoke, pollen and carbon emissions.
    • PM2.5 - smaller particles <2.5μm/m³, you can't see. They settle deep into your lungs, enter your bloodstream and can cause long term and potentially life-threatening health issues. Coronaviruses fall into this category.