What is Air Quality Index (AQI)?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a system used to measure and report the quality of the air in a specific area. It’s designed to help people understand how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become.
It's like a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500, with higher numbers indicating greater levels of air pollution and health concern. An AQI of 50 or below is considered good, while an AQI above 300 is considered hazardous.
The AQI takes into account five major air pollutants: ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Each pollutant has specific health effects, and the AQI considers the pollutant with the highest concentration to determine the overall air quality.
The AQI is divided into six categories, each with a corresponding color code:
- Good (0-50): Green
- Moderate (51-100): Yellow
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150): Orange
- Unhealthy (151-200): Red
- Very Unhealthy (201-300): Purple
- Hazardous (301+): Maroon
The AQI is a valuable tool for understanding the health risks associated with air pollution. It can help you make decisions about whether to limit outdoor activity, especially for children, older adults, and people with respiratory problems.
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