The Air Quality Index (AQI) serves as a vital tool for understanding daily air pollution levels and their potential health impacts. It helps individuals and...
The AQI is a standardized measure used by government agencies to communicate current and forecast air quality to the public. It indicates how clean or polluted the air is and what associated health effects might be a concern.
AQI is calculated based on concentrations of five major air pollutants: ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. The highest index value among these determines the overall AQI.
AQI values are categorized into levels with associated colors and health advisories. For instance, 0-50 (green) is 'Good,' while 101-150 (orange) is 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,' indicating increasing health risks.
Monitoring AQI is crucial as it helps individuals, especially sensitive groups, make informed decisions about outdoor activities. It provides vital information to protect against adverse health impacts like respiratory and cardiovascular problems caused by air pollution.