The Air Quality Index (AQI) is used for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you.The AQI focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.
The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. For example, an AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while a son AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality.
Calculation of AQI:
Our air quality index is calculated based on averages of all pollutant concentrations measured in a full hour, a full 8 hours, or a full day. To calculate an hourly air quality index, we average at least 90 measured data points of pollution concentration from a full hour (e.g. between 09:00 AM and 10:00 AM).
The following Table showing AQI value and Associated Health Impacts:-
(i) Good:(0–50):Minimal Impact
(ii) Satisfactory:(51–100)
May cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.
(iii) Moderately polluted:(101–200)
May cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disease such as asthma, and discomfort to people with heart disease, children and older adults.
(iv) Poor:(201–300)
May cause breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure, and discomfort to people with heart disease
(v) Very Poor:(301–400)
May cause respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure. Effect may be more pronounced in people with lung and heart diseases.
(vi) Severe:(401-500)
May cause respiratory impact even on healthy people, and serious health impacts on people with lung/heart disease. The health impacts may be experienced even during light physical activity.
Particles are defined by their diameter for the air quality
regulatory purposes.There are two types of air particles:
Fine particles PM 2.5 and Coarse particles PM 10.
PM 2. 5 those less than 2.5 µm,PM10 includes particles less than 10 µm in diameter.
The smaller particles(PM2.5) are lighter and they stay in the air longer and travel farther. PM10 (big) particles can stay in the air for minutes or hours, while PM
2. 5 (small) particles can stay in the air for days or weeks. Particulate matter (PM) includes microscopic matter suspended in air or water. Airborne particles are called aerosols.
PM 2.5:-
Fine particulate matter is defined as particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM 2. 5).
Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) is an air pollutant that is a concern for people's health when levels in air are high. PM 2.5 are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated.Thus its high level reduces visibility of air.
Fine (smaller) particles, called PM 2.5, are more dangerous because they can get into the deep parts of your lungs — or even into your blood.
PM10:-
Those with a diameter of 10 microns or less (PM 10) are inhalable into the lungs and can induce adverse health effects.
Coarse (bigger) particles, called PM 10, can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat. Dust from roads, farms, dry riverbeds, construction sites, and mines are types of PM 10.
PM10 are very small particles found in dust and smoke. They have a diameter of 10 micrometres (0.01 mm) or smaller. PM10 particles are a common air pollutant.
Technically, there isn't a safe level of PM10, as any amount of particulate matter in your air isn't a good thing. Keeping your exposure to PM10 concentrations below 54.0 µg/m³ is the best way to prevent any short or long-term health effects from developing. Exposure to high concentrations of PM10 can result in a number of health impacts ranging from coughing and wheezing to asthma attacks and bronchitis to high blood pressure, heart attack, strokes and premature death.PM10 (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less): These particles are small enough to pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs.
Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects.
•Long term exposure to particulate matter invites heart and lung problems. •Also studies have shown that it harms most likely to children and older adults.
•Particulate matter exposure can be linked to below mentioned health issues:
•Increased respiratory symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, coughing and irritation etc.
•Decreased lung capacity
•Chronic Bronchitis
•Asthma
•Heartbeat irregularities
•Heart attacks
•Most importantly Premature Death.
The steps to reduce Particulate Matter PM 2.5 and PM 10 are as follows:
•We can reduce the usage of Household products which create particulate matter
•Not to burn wood, leaves or any yard waste.
•Stop smoking especially indoor.
•Diesel vehicles are major source of particle pollution, it can be reduced by replacing older engines with new engines
•Walk, cycle or use public transport or share vehicle wherever possible
•Pay attention to your maintenance of your vehicle to reduce particulate matter
•Use Indoor Air purifiers to reduce particulate matter in homes and offices. Cleanse Your Home With an Air Purifier:
Your HVAC air filters can trap dust pretty effectively, but they're no match for microscopic particulate matter. To scrub away these problematic particles, you need the high-performance filtration of a dedicated air purifier.
•Conserve energy by using solar energy, bio-gas, rainwater harvesting etc. to control pollution from particulate matter.
Together we can reduce Particle pollution to make Earth better place for next generation.
Air quality becomes worse at night because, as the temperature drops during the nighttime hours, the atmosphere traps car emissions, CO2, and other pollutants in the house and down near the ground – and the effect is much worse if spaces inside the home are poorly ventilated.
Chrysanthemum morifolium is the plant that purifies air naturally.
Florist's chrysanthemums or “mums” are ranked the highest for air purification. These plants are shown to eliminate common toxins as well as ammonia.
Finland has the cleanest air in the world:
Air quality in Finland is the best in the world according to data released by the World Health Organisation, WHO. The level of airborne particles in Finland is on average 6 micrograms per cubic metre – the lowest level for any individual country.
Countries with the best Air Quality are Puerto Rico;New Caledonia;US Virgin Islands;Cape Verde;Bonaire;
Sweden;Finland;Norway; Grenada;Bahamas; Australia;
Estonia;New Zealand etc.
(A)The top ten list of the world's least polluted countries as of 2021 is follows.The figure indicates 2.5 PM per Cubic metre:
(1) New Caledonia – 3.8 µg/m³
(2) US Virgin Islands – 4.5 µg/m³
(3) Puerto Rico – 4.8 µg/m³
(4) Cape Verde – 5.1 µg/m³
(5) Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba – 5.1 µg/m³
(6) Finland – 5.5 µg/m³
(7) Grenada – 5.5 µg/m³
(8) Bahamas – 5.5 µg/m³
(9) Australia – 5.7 µg/m³
(10) Estonia – 5.9 µg/m³
(B)The top ten list of the world's most polluted countries as of 2021 is as follows.The figure indicates 2.5 PM per Cubic metre.
(1) Bangladesh – 76.9 µg/m³
(2) Chad – 75.9 µg/m³
(3) Pakistan – 66.8 µg/m³
(4)Tajikistan – 59.4 µg/m³
(5) India – 58.1 µg/m³
(6) Oman – 53.9 µg/m³
(7) Kyrgyzstan – 50.8 µg/m³
(8) Bahrain – 49.8 µg/m³
(9) Iraq – 49.7 µg/m³
(10) Nepal – 46 µg/m³
Bangladesh is the world's top highest polluted country.
(C)Air pollution by Carbon dioxide:
There are both natural and human sources of carbon dioxide emissions.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) comes from both natural sources including volcanoes, the breath of animals and plant decay, decomposition, ocean release and respiration.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) comes in atmosphere from
human sources primarily the burning of fossils fuels like coal, oil and natural gas to generate energy.
The major sources of carbon emissions created by human activity: Human sources come from activities like cement production, deforestation as well as the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas.Human activities that lead to carbon dioxide emissions come primarily from energy production, including burning coal, oil, or natural gas.
Globally, the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions are electricity and heat (31%), agriculture (11%), transportation (15%), forestry (6%) and manufacturing (12%). Energy production of all types accounts for 72 percent of all emissions.
Top ten countries in world with highest CO2 pollution :
(1) China, with more than 10,065 million tons of CO2 released.
(2) United States, with 5,416 million tons of CO2
(3) India, with 2,654 million tons of CO2
(4) Russia, with 1,711 million tons of CO2
(5) Japan, 1,162 million tons of CO2
(6) Germany, 759 million tons of CO2
(7) Iran, 720 million tons of CO2
(8) South Korea, 659 million tons of CO2
(9) Saudi Arabia, 621 million tons of CO2
(10) Indonesia, 615 million tons of CO2.
Information compiled by:
Dr. Bhairavsinh Raol
