Air Quality Index (AQI): a critical factor for our health

The air we breathe is essential to life. Good air qualityAir quality refers to the state of the air we breathe and its composition in terms of pollutants present in the atmosphere. It is considered good when poll...
Read more makes us feel better and protects our health. The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures the pollutants present in the air and their levels, providing valuable information to prevent the effects on our bodies.

What is the Air Quality Index?

It is a tool that provides information about the state of air quality in a particular place. The AQI measures different pollutants such as fine particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, tropospheric ozoneTropospheric ozone (O3) or ground-level ozone is a gas found in the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, the troposphere, which extends up to 10 kilomet...
Read more and carbon monoxide. The higher the concentration of these chemicals, the worse the air quality, therefore the greater the possible effects on health.

AQI is based on the values of up to six key pollutants (O₃, NO₂, CO, SO₂, PM₁₀, PM_2.5) to determine the degree of air pollution at the location of each device. The index corresponds to the poorest level of any of the six pollutants based on the following ranges.

The AQI is based on concentration data collected in real-time by monitoring stations. It can be consulted at the World’s Air Pollution Real-time Air Quality Index. For data on our continent, we have the European Air Quality Index.

Legend AQI USEPA

Coloured markers represent the geographical position of the devices. The colour indicates the level of air quality based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) at a given moment indicated by the temporal scroll located at the bottom of the page.

AQI is based on the values of up to six key pollutants (O₃, NO₂, CO, SO₂, PM₁₀, PM_2.5) to determine the degree of air pollution at the location of each device. The index corresponds to the poorest level of any of the six pollutants based on the following ranges.

The colour scheme is provided to give information on the status of the Kunak devices.

The grey markers indicate the stations for which insufficient data have been reported or data has not been reported to calculate the index.

The AQI is either defined in six categories (good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous) or expressed on a numerical scale, usually from 0 to 500, according to levels set by legislation and assessed annually to protect health and the environment. By contrast, lower values indicate excellent air quality, while higher values indicate poor quality and potential health hazards.

Health Effects

Breathing polluted air can have serious health consequences, especially for people suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, as well as for children and the elderly. 

These conditions are aggravated by exposure to air pollutantsAir pollution caused by atmospheric contaminants is one of the most critical and complex environmental problems we face today, both because of its global r...
Read more over a long period of time.

Prolonged exposure to poor air quality can lead to health problems such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic lung disease and even lung cancer.

Equally, there are many benefits to enjoying clean, good-quality air. Breathing in a clean and healthy environment improves lung function, reduces the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular disease and contributes to a better overall quality of life.

Components that Determine Air Quality

The main pollutants that affect the quality of the air we breathe are:

• Particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5): small solid or liquid particles that remain in the air and can enter the respiratory system, causing health problems.
• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂): a gas that comes mainly from fossil fuels and has serious effects on the respiratory system and ecosystems.
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂): a toxic gas produced by fossil fuels and industry that contributes to the formation of smogSmog, beyond that dense fog Smog is a mixture of air pollutants that accumulate in the atmosphere, especially in urban areas. This phenomenon is character...
  Read more in urban areas. It is an air pollutant that causes a smog of smoke and particulate matter that is very harmful to health.
• Tropospheric ozone (O₃): a molecule that is beneficial at low levels, but when present in high concentrations in the atmosphere we breathe it can cause respiratory problems and, in contact with pollutants, becomes a highly toxic element in the air.
• Carbon monoxide (CO)The carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible gas (colorless and odorless) that, at the same time, is a silent killer because in just a few minutes it exhibits ...
  Read more: an odourless gas that can be fatal when inhaled in high concentrations and whose main source is the incomplete combustion of fuels.

Protecting our health through good air quality means keeping the levels of each of these pollutants as low as possible.

Monitoring and Information Access

To find out about the quality of the air you breathe, you can easily access a variety of digital resources such as websites and mobile applications that provide up-to-date AQI information for a geographical area. These services use cookies to collect data and provide personalised information based on location.

Being informed about air quality allows you to make good decisions to protect your health, such as avoiding outdoor activities when pollution levels are high or taking extra precautions if you have a respiratory condition.

If air quality is an essential factor in our health and well-being, then maintaining a clean and pollution-free environment is everyone’s responsibility.

It is up to you to find out about the ICA in your area and follow the health recommendations to prevent damage to your health.

Air quality information provided from the Google Maps application.