With wildfires growing more frequent and intense across North America, monitoring air quality is more crucial than ever. Smoke and fine particles can travel vast distances, posing serious health risks. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has become a vital tool for understanding pollution levels and protecting yourself and your loved ones from harmful air.
Where to Check AQI
The AQI is a tool used to communicate how safe or unhealthy the air is to breathe on any given day. It simplifies complex air pollution data into a single number and color-coded scale, making it easier for the public to understand. The AQI ranges from 0 to 500, with lower numbers indicating cleaner air and higher numbers representing more polluted air. You can find the daily AQI on AirNow.gov, most weather apps, and state and local agency websites.
For more information about air quality and how to protect yourself, speak to your doctor or qualified health professional.
This infographic is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers should contact a health professional for appropriate advice. © 2025 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.