Understanding "Unhealthy" AQI
When the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranges from 151-200, the air quality becomes unhealthy for all.
Sensitive groups are particularly susceptible to more health impacts. Sensitive groups include:
- Children
- The elderly
- Pregnant people
- People with cardiac and pulmonary diseases.
When air quality is categorized as “unhealthy,” the general public, and especially sensitive groups, might start experiencing health effects. It's a clear signal to reduce outdoor activities altogether.
Protective Measures for Unhealthy Air Quality
Unhealthy AQI measurements mean that there is an increased likelihood of lung and heart aggravation as well as health impacts among the public, particularly for sensitive groups.
Everyone should avoid outdoor exposure and wear a pollution mask outdoors if they must go outside.
It is advisable to keep track of AQI fluctuations and adapt your activities accordingly.
How can I protect myself from unhealthy air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts and consistently monitor your air quality.
- Help increase the amount of ground-level monitors by becoming an air quality contributor. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Note that “Unhealthy” pollution levels require a mask even when indoors.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter pollutants, particles, gases, and other contaminants.
How to best protect from air pollution?
Reduce your air pollution exposure
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When air quality is "Unhealthy"
When air quality is "Unhealthy"