The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure of the quality of air based on its ability to support life. The AQI focuses on the health effects that result from breathing polluted air. It tells you how clean or polluted your air is and the associated health effects. Here are five parameters for measuring AIQ.
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide is a gas produced by combustion, such as burning fossil fuels. It’s a major component of smog and can cause respiratory problems and aggravate asthma. Diesel engines, power plants, and industrial boilers also produce nitrogen dioxide.
The AQI for nitrogen dioxide reflects how much of this pollutant you are exposed to in the air you breathe daily. For example, if you live in Los Angeles (an area with high levels of nitrogen oxides), your exposure will be higher than someone who lives in rural Montana, where fewer sources are producing it.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. It’s produced by incomplete combustion of fuels, such as wood or coal. The main sources of carbon monoxide are fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, boilers and fireplaces, motor vehicles, tobacco smoke, and portable generators used during power outages.
Carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea at high levels. However, it is not considered toxic since it doesn’t affect the body after exposure stops, unlike other gases like hydrogen sulphide, which can kill you if inhaled at low concentrations for long periods. For help combating this gas and its effects, contact Mybiosource.com.
Ground-level ozone
Ground-level ozone is a colorless gas that forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight. It can cause breathing difficulties and chest pain, as well as damage plants and crops.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses a scale of 0 to 500 to measure how much ground-level ozone is in the air at any given time. The higher the number on this scale, the more likely you will experience adverse health effects if you’re outside for long periods.
Sulphur Dioxide
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. It’s produced by the combustion of Sulphur-containing fossil fuels and other industrial processes and can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, causing breathing difficulties. It damages vegetation by reducing plant growth rates through its acidity effects on leaves.
The amount of SO2 in the atmosphere is usually measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an average of no more than 15 µg/m3 over a 24-hour period.
Particulate matter
According to Chiang Rai Times News, Particulate matter is made up of a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. It can come from burning fossil fuels, wood, garbage and other materials.
When you breathe it in, particulate matter can be dangerous to your health because the particles are so small that they can get into your lungs and bloodstream. This can cause serious health problems like heart disease or lung cancer, especially if you have asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
Conclusion
The Air Quality Index is a number that represents the current air quality and is calculated based on the levels of the above pollutants. If you suspect poor air quality is to blame for your home’s health issues, call a professional to perform an air quality test and recommend an appropriate solution.
