Air Quality
Air Quality when and where you need it
Air quality is often called a silent killer. Poor air quality has a wide range of negative effects and is killing millions of people every year which is why we decided to choose air quality as one of the main display options for the launch of our AWE Tiles.
On your phone air quality information competes with other apps for attention and will probably be pushed from your awareness until the next time you read an article about the many negative effects of air pollution. You might decide to use push notifications to keep warning you, but even here it competes, and who wants another source of disruptions to your work or your time to relax?
It does not have to be this way. With AWE Tiles, air quality can be integrated into your life without disruption. A constant but unintrusive reminder to increase your awareness of this silent killer. Placing the tiles where you need it, never competing for attention with red indicators on dozens of other apps. Never leave the house without knowing the air quality in the park where you play soccer, or the street your kids go to school. To enable you to adjust your behavior. Delaying your run in the park, placing air purifiers in your school, closing the windows, or even wearing a mask, and over time influencing your decisions about where to live.
Your AWE Tile can display the location, time period, and air quality measure you care about most. The general air quality around your house and around the park where you exercise. Or a forecast for the next 24 hours or the next 5 days. Or the pm2.5 in Lahore to appreciate how bad it can get, or Honolulu where you are planning to spend the summer. All that is possible. For some one tile can be enough, while others might prefer a couple, to build a full dashboard combining multiple measures or locations. While general air quality measures would be sufficient for most, AWE allows you to select specific pollutants. Below a further short introduction of their meaning.
Air pollution display meaures and guidelines
Air pollution is common and very damaging for short- and long-term health. AQI and PM2.5 are considered the main air quality indicators. An AQI that exceeds 50 and a PM2.5 that exceeds 15 are considered unhealthy. When they are even higher and exceed 100 for AQI and 50 for PM2.5 you might consider buying an air purifier, reduce outside activities, close the windows, and wear a special mask.
AWE Tiles can display some of the most important air pollution measures including AQI, PM2.5, PM10, Ozone (O3), and Carbon Monoxide (CO). Other common pollutants are lead (Pb), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). The tile can display forecasts and the current value. Below are the recommended values according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Air quality guidelines for different pollutants according to the WHO.
As you can see from the table above, the WHO distinguishes between long-term average exposure and short-term exposure. Short-term exposure limits are a little higher as long as the exposure is limited to a few days a year.
Furthermore, most countries use a combined air quality measure called AQI. Countries and institutions can differ a little on how they calculate AQI but the system used by the EPA in the US is one of the most common. Below the table:
| Pollutant | Averaging period | World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines (AQGs) |
|---|---|---|
| PM10 | 1 day* | 45 µg/m³ |
| PM10 | Calendar year | 15 µg/m³ |
| PM2.5 | 1 day* | 15 µg/m³ |
| PM2.5 | Calendar year | 5 µg/m³ |
| CO | 1 hour | 30 mg/m³ |
| CO | Maximum daily 8-hour mean | 10 mg/m³ |
| O3 | Maximum daily 8-hour mean* | 100 µg/m³ |
| O3 | Peak season (b) | 60 µg/m³ |
| NO2 | 1 hour | 200 µg/m³ |
| NO2 | 1 day* | 25 µg/m³ |
| NO2 | Calendar year | 10 µg/m³ |
| SO2 | 10 minutes | 500 µg/m³ |
| SO2 | 1 day* | 40 µg/m³ |
* Daily and 8-hour recommendations refer to the 99th percentile meaning a recommendation not to exceed this measure more than 3-4 times a year
Background:
Air pollution is causing severe health problems across the world. According to
our world in data, air pollution was the 3rd largest risk
factor responsible for 6.7 million deaths globally in 2019 of which 4.2 million were attributed to outdoor air
pollution. Air pollution is most severe in low to middle countries but according to the WHO,
99% of the world population is exposed to air
that exceeds the WHO guidelines.
For outdoor air pollution particle matter (PM) is one of the leading
indicators of poor-quality air. Particle Matter is very small particles made up of sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium
chloride, black carbon, mineral dust, and water that are suspended in the air that we breathe.
Small PM particles, especially PM2.5 can enter deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases. It has even been linked to mental health and depression
Some more details for each of these measures are below:
CO (Carbon Monoxide): Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced by the burning of fossil fuels. It is found in vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and tobacco smoke. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can lead to headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and even death.
PM2.5 (Particulate Matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter): PM2.5 is a type of particulate matter that is small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs. It is formed by the burning of fossil fuels and is found in vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and tobacco smoke. Forest fires and dust storms can be a source of PM2.5 as well. Exposure to PM2.5 can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular problems, including asthma, lung cancer, and heart attacks.
PM10 (Particulate Matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter): PM10 is another type of particulate matter that is smaller than PM2.5 and can also be inhaled deep into the lungs. It is formed by the burning of fossil fuels and is found in vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and tobacco smoke. Exposure to PM10 can also lead to respiratory and cardiovascular problems, including asthma, lung cancer, and heart attacks.
O3 (Ozone): Ozone is a gas that is formed when pollutants from vehicles and industrial emissions react with sunlight. It is found in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) and can lead to respiratory problems, including asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.
NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide): Nitrogen dioxide is a highly reactive gas produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, most notably from vehicle exhausts, power plants, and off-road equipment. NO2 is a significant contributor to the formation of smog and acid rain. It can penetrate deeply into the lungs and can lead to or exacerbate respiratory diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Long-term exposure to high levels of NO2 can decrease lung function and increase the risk of respiratory infections.
SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide): Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas with a pungent, irritating smell, produced largely by the combustion of fossil fuels in power plants and industrial facilities, as well as by volcanic eruptions. It is also a component of industrial processes such as the production of paper, metal smelting, and the refining of oil. SO2 can react in the atmosphere to form fine particles and pose significant health risks, particularly to the respiratory system. Short-term exposure can lead to throat and eye irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure can aggravate chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, and contribute to the formation of acid rain, which can harm ecosystems and man-made structures.
