Airveda always strives to provide the most accurate and reliable data to citizens. In this regard we are making available this powerful tool that provides accurate and real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) calculations, helping you make informed decisions about your environment.

What is AQI?

The Air Quality Index is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms, which are easy to understand. It transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number (index value), nomenclature and color.

Understanding Indian AQI

Indian AQI defines six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. Each of these categories is decided based on ambient concentration values of air pollutants and their likely health impacts (known as health breakpoints). AQ sub-index and health breakpoints are evolved for eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which short-term (upto 24-hours) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.

Based on the measured ambient concentrations of a pollutant, sub-index is calculated, which is a linear function of concentration (e.g. the sub-index for PM2.5 will be 51 at concentration 31 µg/m3 , 100 at concentration 60 µg/m3 , and 75 at concentration of 45 µg/m3 ). The worst sub-index (or maximum of all parameters) determines the overall AQI. AQI categories and health breakpoints for the eight pollutants are as follows:

Understanding US AQI

US AQI defines 6 AQI categories - Good, Moderate, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy and Hazardous. Each of these categories is decided based on ambient concentration values of air pollutants and their likely health impacts (known as health breakpoints). AQ sub-index and health breakpoints are evolved for six pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, O3, CO, SO2, NO2) measured for different time intervals.