Whether you are concerned about wildfire smoke from Canada or other pollutants that make the air less breathable, it’s a healthy habit to always check the air quality index on your phone. Yes, it’s one more thing to do as you grab your keys and run out the door, but the knowledge can help you decide if those quick errands can wait until things clear up a bit.
It’s scary to look out your window and see an alien orange haze, but the particles you can’t see can also negatively impact your health. Here’s some crucial information about what the air quality index actually is, how to see the levels in your area, and a few tips for taking care of yourself when the outside air is high in pollutants.
What is the air quality index?
The AQI is a scale from the Environmental Protection Agency that ranges from 0 to 500 based on the level of air pollution in a city. The top pollutants tracked by the AQI are sulfur dioxide, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate pollution. For wildfire smoke, it is especially important to keep an eye on the amount of particulate pollution in the air.
Urban centers are required to measure and report daily pollution levels to the EPA. If you live in a more rural area, comprehensive air quality data may not be available to you. Check with local leaders to see what information is being measured and available in your municipality.
How do these AQI numbers break down? An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered a good baseline with few health risks from breathing the air. A score between 51 and 100 means that there is more pollution in the air and that this can affect sensitive people.
From 101 to 150, children and older adults should use caution and limit time outdoors. When it gets between 151 and 200, the high levels of pollution are likely to have a detrimental effect on everyone. An AQI above 200 indicates even more intense pollution and a value above 300 is considered hazardous.
How do I check it on my phone?
There are several free apps you can download to keep an eye on the AQI. An option preferred by members of the WIRED staff is an app called AirCareand it is quite easy to set up.
First download the app on your smartphone. Then open the app and give it access to your location data. The main screen of the app displays an AQI number based on the pollution in your area.
Tap this number to see why the AQI is that score. For example, the AQI in San Francisco at the time of writing is 48. Looking closer at the data, I see that ozone levels are the main pollutant contributing to this score.
Curious about the air quality elsewhere? Use the search bar at the top of the app to view the AQI in other locations. When I checked the AQI for New York City, it was a terrifying 152. The ozone levels were similar to the SF readings, but the amount of small particles from the wildfires was dangerously high.
My lungs are important! What steps can I take?
The The New York Department of Health recommends that people wear a mask over their mouth and nose if they go outside when the air quality is poor. Even though you may have some cloth masks in your home due to the height of the coronavirus pandemic, more substantial protection is needed for wildfire smoke.
According to the Centers for Disease ControlWhile a cloth mask prevents the spread of your respiratory droplets, it doesn’t prevent all the tiny particles of wildfire smoke from traveling to your lungs when you breathe polluted air. One of your best options is a cozy N95. Need more high-quality masks? Here’s our rundown of where to get N95s online.
It is critical to stay at home, with all windows closed, whenever possible during high levels of air pollution. Consider using an air purifier to keep indoor air clean. My household uses the Blueair Pure 411 Auto. Check out our tested list of the best air purifiers to discover options that work well in your home.
