Do you know the quality of the air you breathe today? How is air quality measured? Free smartphones apps and many websites provide the Air Quality Index (AQI) to optimize your travel, especially by bike, all around the world wherever you live. Make the invisible visible. Track the main air pollutants, including fine particles PM2.5, PM10 and main gaseous pollutants Ozone, NO2 , CO2 and SO2.
How is air quality monitored?
Air quality is measured through several indicators, called "pollutants", which can vary depending on the region and local standards. Here are the main pollutants monitored and the methods used to measure air quality:
The main air pollutants:
- Fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5) : Measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), these particles are tiny droplets or solid particles suspended in the air. PM10 are smaller than 10 micrometers, and PM2.5 are smaller than 2.5 micrometers, which are more dangerous because they can penetrate deeper into the respiratory tract.
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) : Measured in µg/m³, this gas comes mainly from motor vehicle emissions and industrial activities. It is monitored because it can cause respiratory problems.
- Tropospheric ozone (O3) : Measured in µg/m³, it is produced by a photochemical reaction between other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, under the effect of sunlight. It is an irritant to the respiratory tract.
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) : Also measured in µg/m³, it comes mainly from industries using fossil fuels. This irritating gas can affect the respiratory tract.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) : Measured in milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m³), it is an asphyxiating gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) : This group of pollutants includes substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, etc., which can have health effects.
Air Quality Index (AQI):
The pollutant concentration data is then translated into an air quality index, the AQI. This index is a standardized value that summarizes air quality for easy understanding by the general public. The AQI for a specific location depends on characteristics such as the time of day, the concentration of pollutants, and the type of pollutants in the air. Since there is a time factor involved, the AQI is usually grouped into ranges. Each of these ranges is assigned a descriptor, a color code, and a standardized public health advisory such as Good, Fair, Poor, Unhealthy, and others.
What are the tools to monitor air quality?
- Fixed monitoring stations : Local or national authorities have networks of measuring stations equipped with specific sensors for each pollutant. These stations provide data in real time.
- Portable and mobile sensors : These allow air quality to be measured over larger areas, even on the move, and can be used for one-off studies or real-time air monitoring.
- Computer modeling : In addition to measurements, mathematical and computer models simulate the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere and estimate air quality at different locations.
- Satellite and remote monitoring: Satellite data can also provide information on air quality on a larger scale (regional or global), in particular by measuring the presence of certain pollutants or greenhouse gases.
What applications measure air quality?
IQair
This app claims to have the world's largest air quality database.
The AirVisual tool combines datasets from government agencies, AirVisual sensors and satellite imagery to provide the most comprehensive picture of global air quality, country by country, city by city in real time and also via 7-day forecasts.
An alert system sends you a notification when the outdoor air quality does not meet your criteria.
By controlling a sensor, the application also provides information on the air quality inside your home.
Plume labs
Plume, a French application gives fairly detailed real-time data on the level of pollution in many French cities. It indicates the ozone levels and compares them with the annual average and the days of peak pollution. The user can thus know if the pollution detected is exceptional or if it is ultimately in line with the average of other days.
Plume's interest is also to give recommendations. A small cursor allows you to navigate through the hours of the day to know if it is appropriate to go cycling, jogging or even sit on a terrace.
It also provides pollution alerts through notifications and air quality reports.
Plume also sells a portable sensor. It offers the most accurate readings and up-to-the-minute updates. Plus, you can pair them with your phone to check the quality wherever you are.
Air Matters
Some pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, can aggravate allergies. The Air Matters application has the dual benefit of managing pollution data but also displaying the presence of the most common allergens (grasses, mugwort, olive, alder, ragweed and birch).
Air Matters collects this data in more than 50 countries
This app can also be connected to Philips air purifiers which will be able to react according to the level of pollution detected in your home.
Sh**t! I Smoke
More unusual! The Sh**t! I Smoke app lets you see how many cigarettes you smoke, by equivalence, simply by breathing the air.
For example, in Paris on Friday, July 27, residents inhaled, according to the application, the equivalent of four cigarettes, passively, as far as fine particles are concerned. The application specifies, in English, how this calculation was made.
Air for Mac
If you want to stay up to date with air quality updates on your Mac or iPhone, download the Air app from the Applestore. It's a simple utility that displays the air quality in your zip code in the menu bar. Air automatically determines your location.
Additionally, its menu bar background even adapts to conditions, such as displaying a bright red for unhealthy environments. Other than that, you don't have many options except to manually choose a zip code.
Air quality
On Windows, the best air quality app is Airqualiter. This is a standard AQI app that displays all the information you would expect. You can add multiple cities, browse the world view, plan your days with hourly forecasts, and more.
BreezoMeter or Aqicn
If you don't want to install a dedicated AQI measurement app, you can also check the air quality from your browser. There are many websites that offer a similar set of features without installing anything.
There are two you should try: BreezoMeter and Aqicn. Both provide largely accurate results. In fact, Aqicn actually stems from a social enterprise project called The World Air Quality Index Project.
How to protect yourself from poor air quality?
With increasing pollution levels in many regions, it is likely that none of these applications will bring us good news. However, it is still wise to know the quality of the air we breathe in order to make the best decisions before going out of home. I can only recommend that you always ride your bike with an efficient respiratory mask, at least to the FFP2/N95 standard like the Frogmask antipollution masks.
