How do I read the Street-by-Street Air Quality Maps?

We designed our street by street pollution maps to be beautiful and informative. The colours that paint each street represent levels of pollution in that area—from the clear greens of fresh air, to the violent violets of toxic smog. Each colour is linked to a level on the Plume Air Quality Index to help make reading the map as easy as possible.

What is an air quality index (AQI)?

The Plume AQI gives you an immediate overview of what you are breathing, just as the temperature might give you a first indication of the weather outside.

Governments and scientists use an air quality index (AQI ) to communicate air pollution levels quickly and in an easy-to-understand way. In most cases, the more polluted the air, the higher the index number, and the more people who are likely to feel negative effects from pollution.

What’s special about the Plume AQI?

Plume Labs uses World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines as well as international standards developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other scientific studies to define the Plume AQI and its seven associated categories.

How is the Plume AQI calculated?

The Plume AQI takes into account the concentrations of many different harmful pollutants and its overall value comes from the level of whichever pollutant is currently having the greatest impact on your health. For example, if NO2 in Los Angeles is 25, PM2.5 is 17, PM10 is 23 and Ozone is 53, then the Plume AQI level will be 53.

Plume AQI Thresholds

0-20 Fresh air

No risk

The air is pure, ideal for outdoor activities !

21-50 Moderate pollution

Impact risk if chronic exposure

The air is moderately polluted. Greater than the maximum limit established for one year by WHO. A long-term exposure constitutes a health risk.

51-100 High pollution

Impact if chronic exposure

The air has reached a high level of pollution. Higher than the maximum limit for 24 hours established by WHO.

101-150 Very high pollution

Immediate impact on health

The air has reached a very high level of pollution. Effects can be immediately felt by individuals at risk. Everybody feels the effects of a prolonged exposure.

151-200 Excessive pollution

Immediate effects for individuals at risk

The pollution level has reached a critical level. Individuals at risk feel immediate effects. Even healthy people may show symptoms for short exposures.

201-300 Extreme pollution

Immediate effects for everybody

The pollution has reached extreme levels. Immediate effects on health.

>300 Airpocalypse

Major immediate effects

Airpocalyse ! Immediate and heavy effects on everybody.