OpenAQ is thrilled to unveil the AQI Hub, a comprehensive and user-friendly resource for understanding Air Quality Indices (AQIs) around the globe. Why does this matter? Based on similar pollution levels, one country’s AQI may signal that the air is acceptable to breathe, while another country’s AQI might indicate caution. Our goal is to make it easy for you to navigate the complexities of how different countries and agencies assess and report air quality to their public. (We explain a bit about the complexities of AQIs on a Data Dialogues podcast — listen here.)
Balancing Depth and Accessibility
Air quality is a complex topic. Each country uses its own calculation methods and air quality standards to report air quality via an AQI. The AQI Hub explains the methodology behind 22 different AQIs around the world (with more to come), while aiming to strike the balance between detailed information and easy-to-understand content. Our goal is to help you quickly grasp the differences and similarities in AQI reporting without getting lost in technical details.
We’ve gathered this information into one convenient platform so that you don’t have to search through multiple sources to understand how any given AQI works. Our AQI Hub makes it easy to compare and contrast AQI systems.
The Essential Role of OpenAQ
AQIs are excellent tools to help individuals make informed decisions about how to protect their health, but raw concentration measurements are needed to fully understand air quality. In fact, raw concentration measurements form the foundation of AQI calculations. OpenAQ provides this essential raw data — data expressed in physical units directly from monitors and sensors whose measurements are open to the public. The data that we aggregate from across the globe are vital to understand the true picture of air quality, especially given the variations and inconsistencies in AQI reporting methods used by different countries.
Explore the AQI Hub
We invite you to explore the AQI Hub and discover how it can enhance your understanding of global air quality metrics. Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, or simply curious about air quality, the AQI Hub offers a balanced approach, combining detailed insights with an accessible format.
The code to build AQI Hub is open-source and available on GitHub at https://github.com/openaq/aqi-hub. We encourage both code and content contributions to enhance and expand the platform. The content is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA), ensuring that it remains freely accessible and usable for educational and informational purposes. This open approach reflects our commitment to transparency and collaboration, making it easy for anyone to participate in improving the AQI Hub and advancing a shared understanding of air quality.
Visit the AQI Hub (aqihub.info) to dive into the world of air quality measurement, compare different AQI systems, and gain a clearer understanding of the factors that influence the air you breathe. The AQI Hub is here to help you navigate the complexities of air quality indexes with ease and confidence.
