The Air Quality Index is a standardized measure that communicates how clean or polluted the air is. Understanding AQI helps you make informed decisions about outdoor activities and health protection.
AQI Scale
The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500. 0-50 is Good (green), 51-100 is Moderate (yellow), 101-150 is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange), 151-200 is Unhealthy (red), 201-300 is Very Unhealthy (purple), and 301-500 is Hazardous (maroon). Each level has specific health implications and activity recommendations.
Pollutants Measured
AQI measures several key pollutants: PM2.5 (fine particles that penetrate deep into lungs), PM10 (coarse particles like dust and pollen), Ozone (forms from vehicle emissions and sunlight), Carbon Monoxide (from combustion), Sulfur Dioxide (industrial emissions), and Nitrogen Dioxide (vehicle emissions). The AQI reports the worst reading among these pollutants.
Health Recommendations
At Good levels (0-50), enjoy normal outdoor activities. At Moderate (51-100), sensitive individuals may want to limit prolonged exertion. At Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), children, elderly, and those with respiratory conditions should reduce outdoor activity. At Unhealthy and above, everyone should limit or avoid outdoor exertion.