How bad is 300 air quality?

Category: science environment
4.6/5 (230 Views . 18 Votes)
From 201 to 300, the air is judged to be very unhealthy; children, asthmatics and people with heart or lung conditions should avoid the outdoors and all others should reduce their outdoors exertion. When the Air Quality Index exceeds 300, it is “hazardous” for everyone and may prompt emergency condition alerts.



Hereof, what happens if the air quality gets to 500?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, levels between 301 and 500 are “Hazardous,” meaning people should avoid all outdoor activity. The World Health Organization has standards that judge a score above 500 to be more than 20 times the level of particulate matter in the air deemed safe.

Additionally, what do you do when air quality is unhealthy? 10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Unhealthy Air
  1. Check daily air pollution forecasts in your area.
  2. Avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high.
  3. Always avoid exercising near high-traffic areas.
  4. Use less energy in your home.
  5. Encourage your child's school to reduce exposure to school bus emissions.
  6. Walk, bike or carpool.
  7. Don't burn wood or trash.

Similarly one may ask, what is very unhealthy air quality?

Understanding the AQI

Air Quality Index (AQI) Values Levels of Health Concern Colors
When the AQI is in this range: ..air quality conditions are: as symbolized by this color:
151 to 200 Unhealthy Red
201 to 300 Very Unhealthy Purple
301 to 500 Hazardous Maroon

What are the six levels of air quality?

These six pollutants are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, particle pollution (often referred to as particulate matter), and sulfur oxides.

32 Related Question Answers Found

What city has the worst air quality?

Top 10 Most Ozone-Polluted Cities
  • Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif.
  • Visalia, Calif.
  • Bakersfield, Calif.
  • Fresno-Madera-Hanford, Calif.
  • Sacramento-Roseville, Calif.
  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, Calif.
  • Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.
  • San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, Calif.

How can you tell if air pollution is affecting you?

Health Effects from Specific Pollutants
  • Aggravated respiratory disease such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma.
  • Lung damage, even after symptoms such as coughing or a sore throat disappear.
  • Wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache or nausea.
  • Reduced resistance to infections.
  • Increased fatigue.

Where is the best air quality in the world?

Here are the top five major cities with the cleanest air in the world:
  • Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Halifax, Canada.
  • Anchorage, Alaska.
  • Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Brisbane, Australia.

Why is the air so bad today?

Air pollution has been linked to higher rates of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory diseases such as asthma. In the U.S. nearly 134 million people—over 40 percent of the population—are at risk of disease and premature death because of air pollution, according to American Lung Association estimates.

Why is air quality so bad today?


Air quality affects the air we breathe. There are many factors that can lead to poor air quality, but the two most common are related to elevated concentrations of ground-level ozone or particulate matter. Per EPA, ozone can cause a number of health problems, including coughing, breathing difficulty, and lung damage.

What is the highest AQI ever recorded?

In the global hall of shame, Delhi was on top with its 1,200-plus AQI, followed by Lahore at 163, Dhaka at 157 and Kolkata at 156.

What's today's air quality?

Delhi Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
Current Min
PM2.5 AQI 180 72
PM10 AQI 121 36
O3 AQI 4 1
NO2 AQI 19 15

How do you test air quality in your home?

To test the air quality in your home, purchase an air quality monitor to check the levels of dust, allergens, chemical pollutants, and humidity in your home. Additionally, install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor to alert you to high levels of carbon monoxide.

Why does my weather say unhealthy air quality?

Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms. "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" Air Quality Index (AQI) is 101 to 150.

What is the most air polluted city in the world?


Linfen, China. Twelve years ago, Linfen was the most polluted city in the world, but even then, Beijing was making efforts to curb the city's coal-burning addiction.

Can air quality cause headaches?

A very common symptom that many people have during times of poor air quality is headaches. Along with the irritation of the lungs and respiratory system, pollution can cause the eyes to burn, making it hard for some people to avoid ending up with a headache.

What causes unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups?

At 101 to 150, the air is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups: The elderly, children, and people with lung disease are vulnerable to the effects of ozone pollution; and the elderly, children and those with heart and lung disease are at risk from particulate matter.

What causes air quality alerts?

Two things contribute to air pollution that can cause an air quality alert: Ground-Level Ozone – High-levels of ground-level ozone are frequently the cause of air quality alerts. Ground-level ozone is created by pollutants such as car exhaust and industrial fumes mixing with oxygen.

How do you measure air quality?

Air quality is measured with the Air Quality Index, or AQI. The AQI works sort of like a thermometer that runs from 0 to 500 degrees. However, instead of showing changes in the temperature, the AQI is a way of showing changes in the amount of pollution in the air.

What does AQI stand for?


air quality index

What are the effects of bad air quality?

Poor air quality can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause shortness of breath, aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions, and affect the heart and cardiovascular system. Breathing polluted air for long periods of time can cause more serious problems.

How can you protect yourself from unhealthy air quality?

To limit pollution in the home, follow these recommendations:
  1. Consider purchasing an indoor air purifier.
  2. Avoid air fresheners and candles.
  3. Keep filters on air conditioners and heaters clean.
  4. Vacuum often.
  5. Wash sheets and stuffed toys to get rid of dust mites.
  6. Wash mold and mildew off hard surfaces.