Air Quality Index (AQI)

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a scale used to communicate how clean or polluted the air is and what associated health effects might be of concern for the public. It ranges from 0 to 500, where lower values indicate good air quality, while higher values signify worsening pollution levels. Different pollutants, such as particulate matter and ozone, contribute to the AQI, with color-coded categories helping people understand the air quality quickly—from green for healthy air to maroon for hazardous conditions. Monitoring the AQI helps individuals protect their health, especially those with respiratory issues.