Language
Country/Area
No result found
The Mystery of the Air Quality Index: How to measure the air pollution around us?
With the acceleration of global urbanization, the problem of air pollution is becoming increasingly serious. To address this challenge, many countries and regions have developed air quality indexes (AQI) to help the public understand the degree of pollution in the surrounding air. As a simple and intuitive indicator, AQI can reflect the current air quality and provide relevant health advice. However, how is this index calculated? What are the data and methods it relies on? This article will take you to deeply explore the AQI calculation process and the scientific principles behind it.
The concept and calculation method of AQI
AQI is an indicator developed by government agencies to communicate to the public how polluted the air is. Different countries have different calculation methods for AQI, but the key point in common is that it is calculated based on concentration data of a series of air pollutants. Calculating AQI requires selecting appropriate pollutants and a specific averaging period. This data is usually obtained from air monitoring stations or mathematical models.
The Air Quality Index measures the dose of air pollution by specified concentration and time.
When the concentration of a certain pollutant exceeds the established safety standard, the AQI will also increase. Typically, the AQI value range is divided into multiple levels, each level has a corresponding color representation and public health advice. For example, "good" (0-50) to "severely polluted" (300 and above), which directly correlates to the severity of the health effects.
International AQI index
The definitions and calculation standards of AQI are not consistent across the world. The following are examples of AQI systems in several countries:
Australia
Australian states and territories are responsible for monitoring air quality and publishing data in line with national environmental protection (ambient air quality) measures. The AQI for each region is determined based on the maximum local concentration of pollutants and is calculated using a simple linear criterion.
Canada
Air quality reporting in Canada uses the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). This index is evaluated based on the minimum emission standards of pollutants and provides health risk recommendations for sensitive groups.
China
China's air quality and health index is managed by the environmental protection department, covering a variety of major meteorological pollutants, and the AQI index is calculated based on these data to provide health tips to the public.
Europe
Europe introduced the Common Air Quality Index (CAQI) in 2006, which is simple and easy to understand and aims to increase public awareness of air pollution.
The impact of AQI and countermeasures
As AQI rises, governments often publish relevant health advice, such as advising vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children, to reduce the time spent outdoors. In cases of very poor air quality, governments may trigger contingency plans to require heavy-emitting industries to reduce emissions to reduce harm to public health.
When the AQI is forecast to be higher, the government encourages citizens to reduce outdoor activities to protect their health.
For example, during wildfires, the government will recommend that citizens wear masks, such as N95 masks, and use air purifiers indoors to filter harmful substances in the air.
Global AQI monitoring and data sharing
With the advancement of technology, more and more government agencies are beginning to use Internet technology to share real-time air monitoring data. A new website allows government agencies around the world to submit their air quality data and display it in a unified AQI standard, increasing international understanding of air quality.
Conclusion
As an important tool to measure air pollution, the Air Quality Index not only reflects the current environmental status, but also profoundly affects people's daily life and health. With the global pursuit of clean air, AQI systems in different countries are constantly evolving and improving. At any time, we should pay attention to air quality to prevent the invisible hand of invisible pollution from affecting our health. Do you know what your city’s AQI level is?
