Have you ever checked the Air Quality Index (AQI) and shared it because the number looked alarming? Well, AQI is more than just a number, it’s a warning about the air you’re breathing.
The AQI tells us how polluted the air is, on a scale from 0 to 500, where higher numbers mean greater health risks.
The AQI is calculated using key pollutants, including:
- PM2.5 and PM10 (tiny particles that can enter your lungs and bloodstream).
- Ozone (O₃) at ground level, which can irritate your respiratory system.
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), harmful gases that irritate airways.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO), a gas that reduces oxygen flow in the body.
When the AQI hits “unhealthy” or “hazardous” levels, it’s not just a fact to share rather a sign to take action.
But here’s the problem too often, people treat AQI as a trend, snapping screenshots or casually mentioning it, without realizing how it affects them. Breathing polluted air is a silent danger. So why not take it seriously? Wear a mask, stay indoors when it’s bad, and encourage others to do the same.
Let’s stop treating AQI like just another number. It’s a reflection of the air we’re all breathing and clean air is something we all deserve.