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Learn more.","excerptHtml","content","A visible layer of smog provides a backdrop to Ulanbaatar's cityscape, Mongolia (image: PIN)Scroll down for Mongolian / монгол хэлээр гүйлгэ Air pollution is at crisis levels in Mongolia Air pollution is an urgent issue in Mongolia, especially in urban areas including the capital Ulaanbaatar, where almost half of the population resides. An enormous 87% of the overall air pollution in Mongolia comes from coal that is being used to heat households in the capital’s infrastructure-light ger districts during the freezing cold winters when temperatures often dip below -40०C, as well as from sturdier buildings with chimneys. The remaining air pollution comes from transportation, power plants and water heater plants.In part due to a series of brutally harsh winters, or dzudz, that have made life harder in rural areas, more and more Mongolians have migrated from rural areas to the capital in recent years. As a consequence, the city’s informal ger district has greatly expanded. Gers are portable, circular nomadic homes made of wood, canvas and felt, and most house a traditional stove for heating, with a chimney leading upwards through the roof. Gers are now estimated to house over 60% of Ulaanbaatar’s population in settlements around the city. However, due to limited infrastructure, funding and cultural tradition, it has not been feasible to connect all households in the ger areas to the central heating system, offer electric heating solutions or enable everyone to move into apartments. Smoke diffuses out from a chimney in Ulaanbaatar’s ger district (image: PIN) So families burn raw coal, the most available fuel available to them, to heat their homes during the freezing cold winters. Coal combustion produces high amounts of a common pollutant known as PM2.5: tiny airborne particles measuring <2.5 microns in diameter. PM2.5 is considered the most hazardous pollutant to human health, since these particles are so small that, once inhaled, they can travel deep into the human system, potentially causing a range of short- and long-term health effects. Raw coal and a typical heater used to warm Mongolian households (image: PIN) This coal-combustion results in alarming air pollution levels not only in Ulaanbaatar, but also in other urban areas. At times, the air pollution is 50 times the WHO recommended level. During 2018, IQAir AirVisual recorded Ulaanbaatar as the 5th most polluted capital city, with an annual average PM2.5 pollution level 6 times this guideline. By that time, there were 11 state-run air quality monitoring stations that provided live air quality information to the public. However, all of them were located in Ulaanbaatar and other Mongolian cities had no way of measuring pollution levels – until now. People in Need’s “Right to Breathe” project Czech-based NGO People in Need (PIN), in collaboration with IQAir AirVisual, set out to cexpand Mongolians’ access to information about the air they breathe. People In Need began operating in Mongolia with a humanitarian response for herders who suffered from the 2009-2010 dzud. Since then, People in Need has been working in both rural and urban areas in various sectors including emergency response, sustainable livelihoods and the environment, civil society capacity building, and education and skills development. Since late 2018, PIN began to address the urgent air quality crisis and launched the Right to Breathe project, funded by the European Union and partnering with local NGOs: Mongolian Environmental Civil Council, Mongolian Women Lawyers’ Association and Ger Community Mapping Center. The project aims to strengthen access to information, awareness, situational monitoring and corresponding actions addressing air pollution in Mongolia, and to empower civil society organizations to share information and increase transparency alongside parliament, audit institutions, and the media. As part of the project, 50 AirVisual Pro air quality monitors have been installed indoors and outdoors in Ulaanbaatar and other urban areas. These new monitors have almost doubled the amount of outdoor air quality information publicly available, providing visibility in areas and cities where there was previously no outdoor air quality monitoring system, and furthering understanding of the impacts of indoor pollution. Citizens can now freely access real-time air quality information close to them from this new monitoring network, and use this information to take actions to protect health. Growing air quality coverage in cities across Mongolia on the AirVisual air quality map (image: PIN) It is crucial to protect yourself and your family from the health risks of air pollution when levels are high. You can greatly reduce your exposure to air pollution with some of these simple steps. Top 10 recommendations to protect yourself from air pollution 1. Continually check air quality information Our eyes alone are unreliable tools in understanding air pollution. Check reliable air quality information using the free AirVisual air quality app in English and Mongolian, which reports real-time and forecast measurements from both state-run monitors and PIN’s Right to Breathe air quality monitoring network. The app reports air quality levels using color-coded icons, which indicate how serious they are to health, and provides recommendations as to how you can protect yourself. 2. Wear anti-air pollution masks when outdoor pollution levels are high A crucial step to protect yourself from air pollution is to wear a PM2.5 filtering mask. Note that many dust and surgical masks don’t protect you from air pollution. When choosing a mask, take care to check that the filter fabric itself has a high PM2.5 filtration rate: for example, ratings such as KN95 and N99 offer high protection (filtering >95% or >99% of PM2.5 respectively). Also check that the mask seals well to your face, preferably with a nose clip, so that no polluted air enters around the sides. 3. Try to stay indoors when air pollution level is high, especially if you are particularly at risk Pregnant women, children, elders and people at risk of illnesses are highly vulnerable to air pollution and its impacts. Therefore, these groups are particularly encouraged to stay indoors and limit outdoor activities when the air pollution is serious. When it is necessary to go outside, wear PM2.5 filtering masks. 4. Use air purifiers with HEPA filters Indoor air quality is usually affected by the outdoor air quality, since most buildings naturally have gaps in walls and windows through which air can enter. In addition to this, there are many factors that affect indoor air quality including coal burning, smoking, cleaning detergents and low-quality construction materials. We don’t always notice when the indoor air quality of our home or office is worse than outdoors. To clean indoor air, you can either ventilate your space when the air outdoors is clean, or, when the pollution outdoors is no better, use an air purifier. The purifier should have a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which is able to filter over 99.9% of PM2.5. 5. Reduce air leakage which usually occurs through doors and windows Pollution can penetrate indoor spaces through cracks or gaps found in window or door edges. So it is crucial to fill or insulate the gaps or use window filters in order to prevent outdoor air pollution entering. 6. Use standardized improved stoves The difference between ordinary stoves and improved stoves is that you place wood before burning coal in the ordinary stove, while you do the reverse in the improved stove. This allows the coal to burn completely and result in much less particle emissions as well as keep the warmth longer. Improved stoves can not only help you save 30% of fuel, but also reduce the toxic particles which come from burning by 20-80%. 7. Use improved fuels Improved fuel is the mixture of compressed crushed coal pieces and additional flammable chemicals. While still not as efficient as electricity, compared to raw coal, improved coal is more energy efficient and emits less smog, ash and moisture. 8. Use more energy efficient technologies for heating When most air pollution comes from ordinary household stoves, the best solution for heating houses and gers is to use more energy-efficient technologies. By using electric heating, you can reduce air pollution indoors as well as outdoors. 9. Reduce heat loss by insulating your ger or house Air pollution will decrease significantly as households insulate their houses in order to reduce heat loss, which in turn reduces the amount of fuel required for indoor heating. Certain areas can get moldy due to mists which occur during the heat loss, and therefore reduce the quality of indoor air. By insulating your house or ger with standardized construction materials such as basalt wool and sheep wool, you can decrease your coal consumption for heating by up to 50%. 10. Don’t burn toxic garbage, engine oil and fluids Burning toxic garbage including scrap tires and used engine oil and fluids accelerates toxic air exposure for people who live in polluted areas. The burning of these types of garbage emits high amounts of hazardous chemicals into the air, which penetrate into the ground, the human body and construction materials. The toxic chemicals found in them can result in long-term health issues. Therefore, never burn things which are not fuels. “Амьсгалах эрх” төслөөс санал болгох эрүүл мэндийн зөвлөмжүүд Агаарын бохирдол Монголд Монголын хүн амын тал гаруй хувь нь оршин сууж буй Улаанбаатар хотын агаарын бохирдлын 87 хувь нь гэр хорооллын өрхүүд болон бусад зуухнаас, үлдсэн хувь нь автомашин, дулааны станц, усан халаалтын зуухнаас үүсдэг. Өсөн нэмэгдэж буй гэр хорооллын өрхүүдийг нийтээр нь төвийн халаалтын системд холбох, цахилгаан халаагуураар халаах, аль эсвэл орон сууцанд оруулах дэд бүтцийн болоод эдийн засгийн боломж одоогоор хязгаарлагдмал байна. Иймд гэр хорооллын өрхүүд түүхий нүүрс түлж гэр, байшингаа халаахаас өөр аргагүйд хүрч байгаа ба цаашлаад Улаанбаатар төдийгүй бусад суурин газруудад агаарын бохирдол маш аюултай төвшинд хүрээд байгаа юм. Улаанбаатар хотын агаарын бохирдол өвлийн улиралд ДЭМБ-ын зөвлөсөн хүлцэх хэмжээнээс даруй 50 дахин илүү байдаг. 2018 онд Улаанбаатар хот хамгийн их агаарын бохирдолтой хотын жагсаалтын 5 дугаарт бичигдсэн бөгөөд жилийн дундаж бохирдлоор энэхүү удирдамжаас 6 дахин илүү байв. 2018 оны байдлаар Улаанбаатар хотод нийт 11 агаарын чанар хэмжигч төхөөрөмж байсан ба мэдээллийг agaar.mn цахим хуудсаар олон нийтэд түгээдэг. Харин бусад хот, суурин газруудад агаарын чанарыг хэмжих төхөөрөмж огт байгаагүй. “Амьсгалах эрх” төсөл, Пипл ин нийд ТББ Чех улсад төвтэй Пипл ин нийд ТББ нь 2009/2010 оны зудад нэрвэгдсэн малчдад хүмүүнлэгийн тусламж үзүүлснээр Монголд үйл ажиллагаагаа эхлүүлсэн билээ. Тэр үеэс хойш Монголд онцгой байдлын тусламж үзүүлэх, тогтвортой амжиргааг дэмжих, ард иргэд, иргэний нийгмийн байгууллагуудыг чадавхижуулах, дээд боловсролыг чанаржуулах зэрэг төсөл хөтөлбөрүүдийг хэрэгжүүлсэн. Алслагдсан, хөдөө орон нутгийн газруудад төвлөрөн үйл ажиллагаа явуулдаг байсан Пипл ин нийд 2018 оноос хот суурин газруудад тулгамдаж буй асуудлууд руу анхаарлаа хандуулж, үйл ажиллагаагаа тэлж эхэлсэн билээ. Пипл ин нийд ТББ нь Монголын байгаль орчны иргэний зөвлөл, Монголын хуульч эмэгтэйчүүдийн холбоо, Гэр иргэдийн оролцоотой амьдрах орчны зураглалын төв байгууллагуудтай хамтран Европын холбооны санхүүжилтээр “Амьсгалах эрх” төслийг 2018 оноос эхлэн 2019 оны сүүлч хүртэл хэрэгжүүлэх юм. Төслийн хүрээнд агаарын бохирдлын тухай иргэд ба иргэний нийгмийн байгууллагуудын мэдлэг, ойлголтыг нэмэгдүүлэх, холбогдолтой үйл ажиллагаануудын ил тод байдал ба хариуцлагыг нэмэгдүүлэх ажлуудыг зохион байгуулж байна. “Амьсгалах эрх” төслийн хүрээнд Улаанбаатар болон бусад хот суурин газруудад нийт 50 “IQAir” агаарын чанар хэмжигч төхөөрөмжийг дотор болон гадна орчинд суурилуулсан билээ. Ингэснээр агаарын чанарын хэмжилт хийгддэггүй байсан байршлуудын агаарын чанарын түвшинг тогтоох, дотоод орчны агаарын бохирдлыг хэмжих боломж нэмэгдэж байгаа юм. Иргэд “AirVisual” апп-аар дамжуулан өөрт ойр байгаа агаарын чанар хэмжигч төхөөрөмжүүдээс мэдээлэл авах боломжтой болж байна. Агаарын чанарын индекс (АЧИ) өндөр буюу агаарын бохирдол ихтэй үед иргэд өөрсдийгөө болон гэр бүлийнхнээ хамгаалах зайлшгүй шаардлагатай. “Амьсгалах эрх” төслийн зүгээс хувь хүний болоод өрхийн төвшинд агаарын бохирдлоос хамгаалах энгийн бөгөөд үр дүнтэй аргуудыг санал болгож байна. Агаарын бохирдлоос хамгаалах 10 зөвлөмж 1. Агаарын чанарын мэдээг тогтмол шалгаж хэвших Агаарын бохирдлын хэмжээ ямар байгааг бид зөвхөн нүдээрээ хараад хэлж чадахгүй. Иймд баталгаатай эх сурвалжаас агаарын бохирдлын хэмжээг тогтмол шалгаж байх шаардлагатай. Төрийн харьяат болон Пипл ин нийд ТББ-ын “Амьсгалах эрх” төслийн хүрээнд суурилуулсан бүх агаар хэмжигч төхөөрөмжийн мэдээллийг та AirVisual гэх үнэ төлбөргүй апп-аас авах боломжтой юм. Эндээс та агаарын бохирдлын төвшинг өнгөөр ялгасан, энийн ойлгомжтой байдлаар харах боломжтойгоос гадна тухайн үед эрүүл мэндээ хэрхэн хамгаалах зөвлөмжүүдийг авч чадна. 2. Агаарын бохирдлын төвшин өндөр үед шүүлтүүртэй амны хаалт зүүж хэвших PM 2.5 тоосонцорыг шүүдэг шүүлтүүр бүхий материалаар хийсэн амны хаалт агаарын бохирдлоос эрүүл мэндээ арга туршлагын зайлшгүй нэг арга мөн. Эмнэлгийн амны хаалт бохирдлыг шүүхгүй гэдгийг анхаараарай. Амны хаалт сонгохдоо тухайн материал нь бүхэлдээ PM2.5-ийг шүүдэг эсэхийг сайтар шалгах нь зүйтэй. Тухайлбал N95 ба N99 төвшний маскууд нь маш өндөр төвшинд буюу PM2.5 нарийн ширхэгт тоосонцруудыг 95%, 99% шүүх чадвартай гэсэн үг юм. Мөн амны хаалт таны нүүрний хэлбэрт яг тохирсон, огт зай завсар орохгүй байхаар тооцож авах нь чухал. 3. Хэт мэдрэг хүмүүс гадуур удаан хугацаагаар явахгүй байх Жирэмсэн эхчүүд, нялх бага насны хүүхдүүд, өндөр настай хүмүүс болон архаг хууч өвчтэй хүмүүс агаарын бохирдолд хэт мэдрэг бас өртөх эрсдэл өндөр байдаг. Тиймээс агаарын бохирдол их үед аль болох гадуур удаан явахгүй, гарах шаардлагатай бол шүүлтүүртэй амны хаалт зүүх нь агаарын бохирдолд өртөх эрсдэлийг бууруулна. 4. Хепа шүүлтүүртэй агаар цэвэршүүлэгч ашиглах Агаар нэвтрүүлэх зорилгоор барилгын хана, цонх зэрэгт зай завсар байдаг учир дотоод орчны агаарын бохирдолд гадна агаарын бохирдол шууд нөлөөлдөг. Үүнээс гадна нүүрс түлэх, тамхи татах, ахуйн цэвэрлэгээний бодисууд, чанаргүй барилгын материал гэх мэт өөр олон хүчин зүйлс бий. Заримдаа гэр болон албан тасалгаан доторх агаар гадаад орчны агаараас ч бохир болсныг бид анзаардаггүй. Тиймээс гэр болон албан тасалгаандаа агаар цэвэршүүлэгч хэрэглэж хэвших нь чухал юм. Агаар шүүгчид тавигдах гол шаардлага нь PM2.5 тоосонцорыг 99.9% хүртэл шүүдэг HEPA шүүлтүүр юм. 5. Хаалга цонхныхоо дулаан алдагдлыг бууруулж агаарын бохирдлоос хамгаалах Гадаад орчны агаар дахь бохирдлын хэмжээ их үед гэр болон албан тасалгааны нүх сүвээр нэвтэрч дотоод орчны агаарын чанарыг бууруулдаг. Иймд цонх, хаалганы завсараар бохирдолтой агаар нэвтрэхээс сэргийлж дуулаалга хийж битүүмжлэх, цонхны шүүлтүүр тавих зэрэг арга хэмжээг авах нь зүйтэй. 6. Стандартын шаардлага хангасан сайжруулсан зуух хэрэглэж хэвших Энгийн зууханд галлахдаа эхлээд модоо хийн дараа нь нүүрсээ түлдэг бол сайжруулсан зуухны хувьд эхлээд нүүрсээ хийн дээр нь модоо хийснээр нүүрсний бүрэн шатах нөхцлийг ханган тоосонцрыг маш бага ялгаруулж мөн дулааныг удаан хадгалдаг байна. Сайжруулсан зуух нь түлшийг 30% хүртэл хэмнэж, утаанд агуулагдах хорт бодисын хэмжээг 20-80% хүртэл бууруулдаг*. Сайжруулсан зуух ашигласнаар та түлшээ хэмнээг зогсохгүй агаарын бохирдолд өртөх эрсдлээ бууруулж чадна. *2017-02-02 Дэлхийн банкны “Монгол улсын цэвэр зуух санаачилга” судалгааны тайлан 7. Сайжруулсан түлш ашиглах Сайжруулсан түлш гэдэг нь нүүрсийг жижиглэн бутлаад бэхжүүлж, шаталтыг дэмжих бодис нэмж хэлбэр оруулан шахсан нүүрс юм. Хэрэглээний хувьд сайжруулсан түлш нь түүхий нүүрстэй харьцуулахад утаа, хөө тортог бага гардаг, үнсний хэмжээ бага,чийгшил бага, дулаан барилт сайтай. 8. Байгальд ээлтэй, эрчим хүчний хэмнэлттэй технологоор халаалтаа шийдэх Монгол улсын хот суурин газрын агаарын бохирдлын 60-80%-ийг гэр хорооллын ердийн галлагаатай зуухнаас ялгарч буй утаа бүрдүүлж байгаа өнөө үед байгальд ээлтэй, эрчим хүчний хэмнэлттэй технологиор гэр болон байшингаа халаах нь хамгийн зөв шийдэл мөн. Цахилгаанаар халааснаар агаарын бохирдлыг бууруулахад хувь нэмрээ оруулж байгаагаас гадна гэрийн дотоод орчны агаарын бохирдлыг бууруулдаг. 9. Гэр болон байшингаа дулаалж, дулаан алдагдлыг бууруулах Айл өрх бүр гэр болон байшингийнхаа дулаан алдагдлыг бууруулснаар нүүрсний хэрэглээгээ багасгаж, эрчим хүчний хэмнэлтийг өсгөж агаарын бохирдлыг бууруулахад асар их хувь нэмэр оруулж чадна. Байшингийн дулаан их алдаж байгаа хэсэгт хөлрөлт, цанталт үүссэнээс болж мөөгөнцөр үүсэх нөхцлийг бүрдүүлдэг нь дотоод орчны агаарыг бохирдуулах эрсдэлтэй. Байшин болон гэрээ технологийн шаардлага хангасан материалаар дулаалвал нүүрсний болон цахилгааны хэрэглээг 50 хувь хүртэл бууруулах боломжтой. 10. Хортой хог хаягдал, дугуй, ашигласан тос, масло шатаахгүй байх Хортой хог хаягдал болон дугуй, тос шатаах нь агаарын бохирдолтой орчинд амьдарч байгаа хүмүүсийн хувьд аливаа өвчин эмгэгт өртөх магадлалыг нэмэгдүүлдэг. Дугуй, хог шатаах болон төрөл бүрийн шаталтын процессын үед маш олон төрлийн хорт бодисууд ялгардаг бөгөөд удаан задардаг органик нэгдлүүд хөрсөнд, агаарт, хүн амьтны биед, обьектын дээвэр хананд урт хугацаанд хуримтлагдан амьсгалын замаар хүний биед нэвтэрч эрүүл мэндэд сөргөөр нөлөөлдөг. Иймд зориулалтын бус зүйлсийг бүү шатааж байгаарай.","contentHtml","

A visible layer of smog provides a backdrop to Ulanbaatar's cityscape, Mongolia (image: PIN)Scroll down for Mongolian / монгол хэлээр гүйлгэ

Air pollution is at crisis levels in Mongolia

Air pollution is an urgent issue in Mongolia, especially in urban areas including the capital Ulaanbaatar, where almost half of the population resides. An enormous 87% of the overall air pollution in Mongolia comes from coal that is being used to heat households in the capital’s infrastructure-light ger districts during the freezing cold winters when temperatures often dip below -40०C, as well as from sturdier buildings with chimneys. The remaining air pollution comes from transportation, power plants and water heater plants.

In part due to a series of brutally harsh winters, or dzudz, that have made life harder in rural areas, more and more Mongolians have migrated from rural areas to the capital in recent years. As a consequence, the city’s informal ger district has greatly expanded. Gers are portable, circular nomadic homes made of wood, canvas and felt, and most house a traditional stove for heating, with a chimney leading upwards through the roof. Gers are now estimated to house over 60% of Ulaanbaatar’s population in settlements around the city. However, due to limited infrastructure, funding and cultural tradition, it has not been feasible to connect all households in the ger areas to the central heating system, offer electric heating solutions or enable everyone to move into apartments.

$\"Smoke$ Smoke diffuses out from a chimney in Ulaanbaatar’s ger district (image: PIN)

So families burn raw coal, the most available fuel available to them, to heat their homes during the freezing cold winters. Coal combustion produces high amounts of a common pollutant known as PM2.5: tiny airborne particles measuring <2.5 microns in diameter. PM2.5 is considered the most hazardous pollutant to human health, since these particles are so small that, once inhaled, they can travel deep into the human system, potentially causing a range of short- and long-term health effects.

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Raw coal and a typical heater used to warm Mongolian households (image: PIN)

This coal-combustion results in alarming air pollution levels not only in Ulaanbaatar, but also in other urban areas. At times, the air pollution is 50 times the WHO recommended level. During 2018, IQAir AirVisual recorded Ulaanbaatar as the 5th most polluted capital city, with an annual average PM2.5 pollution level 6 times this guideline. By that time, there were 11 state-run air quality monitoring stations that provided live air quality information to the public. However, all of them were located in Ulaanbaatar and other Mongolian cities had no way of measuring pollution levels – until now.

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People in Need’s “Right to Breathe” project

Czech-based NGO People in Need (PIN), in collaboration with IQAir AirVisual, set out to cexpand Mongolians’ access to information about the air they breathe.

People In Need began operating in Mongolia with a humanitarian response for herders who suffered from the 2009-2010 dzud. Since then, People in Need has been working in both rural and urban areas in various sectors including emergency response, sustainable livelihoods and the environment, civil society capacity building, and education and skills development.

Since late 2018, PIN began to address the urgent air quality crisis and launched the Right to Breathe project, funded by the European Union and partnering with local NGOs: Mongolian Environmental Civil Council, Mongolian Women Lawyers’ Association and Ger Community Mapping Center. The project aims to strengthen access to information, awareness, situational monitoring and corresponding actions addressing air pollution in Mongolia, and to empower civil society organizations to share information and increase transparency alongside parliament, audit institutions, and the media.

As part of the project, 50 AirVisual Pro air quality monitors have been installed indoors and outdoors in Ulaanbaatar and other urban areas. These new monitors have almost doubled the amount of outdoor air quality information publicly available, providing visibility in areas and cities where there was previously no outdoor air quality monitoring system, and furthering understanding of the impacts of indoor pollution. Citizens can now freely access real-time air quality information close to them from this new monitoring network, and use this information to take actions to protect health.

$\"Growing$ Growing air quality coverage in cities across Mongolia on the AirVisual air quality map (image: PIN)

It is crucial to protect yourself and your family from the health risks of air pollution when levels are high. You can greatly reduce your exposure to air pollution with some of these simple steps.

Top 10 recommendations to protect yourself from air pollution

1. Continually check air quality information

Our eyes alone are unreliable tools in understanding air pollution. Check reliable air quality information using the free AirVisual air quality app in English and Mongolian, which reports real-time and forecast measurements from both state-run monitors and PIN’s Right to Breathe air quality monitoring network. The app reports air quality levels using color-coded icons, which indicate how serious they are to health, and provides recommendations as to how you can protect yourself.

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2. Wear anti-air pollution masks when outdoor pollution levels are high

A crucial step to protect yourself from air pollution is to wear a PM2.5 filtering mask. Note that many dust and surgical masks don’t protect you from air pollution. When choosing a mask, take care to check that the filter fabric itself has a high PM2.5 filtration rate: for example, ratings such as KN95 and N99 offer high protection (filtering >95% or >99% of PM2.5 respectively). Also check that the mask seals well to your face, preferably with a nose clip, so that no polluted air enters around the sides.

3. Try to stay indoors when air pollution level is high, especially if you are particularly at risk

Pregnant women, children, elders and people at risk of illnesses are highly vulnerable to air pollution and its impacts. Therefore, these groups are particularly encouraged to stay indoors and limit outdoor activities when the air pollution is serious. When it is necessary to go outside, wear PM2.5 filtering masks.

4. Use air purifiers with HEPA filters

Indoor air quality is usually affected by the outdoor air quality, since most buildings naturally have gaps in walls and windows through which air can enter. In addition to this, there are many factors that affect indoor air quality including coal burning, smoking, cleaning detergents and low-quality construction materials. We don’t always notice when the indoor air quality of our home or office is worse than outdoors. To clean indoor air, you can either ventilate your space when the air outdoors is clean, or, when the pollution outdoors is no better, use an air purifier. The purifier should have a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which is able to filter over 99.9% of PM2.5.

5. Reduce air leakage which usually occurs through doors and windows

Pollution can penetrate indoor spaces through cracks or gaps found in window or door edges. So it is crucial to fill or insulate the gaps or use window filters in order to prevent outdoor air pollution entering.

6. Use standardized improved stoves

The difference between ordinary stoves and improved stoves is that you place wood before burning coal in the ordinary stove, while you do the reverse in the improved stove. This allows the coal to burn completely and result in much less particle emissions as well as keep the warmth longer. Improved stoves can not only help you save 30% of fuel, but also reduce the toxic particles which come from burning by 20-80%.

7. Use improved fuels

Improved fuel is the mixture of compressed crushed coal pieces and additional flammable chemicals. While still not as efficient as electricity, compared to raw coal, improved coal is more energy efficient and emits less smog, ash and moisture.

8. Use more energy efficient technologies for heating

When most air pollution comes from ordinary household stoves, the best solution for heating houses and gers is to use more energy-efficient technologies. By using electric heating, you can reduce air pollution indoors as well as outdoors.

9. Reduce heat loss by insulating your ger or house

Air pollution will decrease significantly as households insulate their houses in order to reduce heat loss, which in turn reduces the amount of fuel required for indoor heating. Certain areas can get moldy due to mists which occur during the heat loss, and therefore reduce the quality of indoor air. By insulating your house or ger with standardized construction materials such as basalt wool and sheep wool, you can decrease your coal consumption for heating by up to 50%.

10. Don’t burn toxic garbage, engine oil and fluids

Burning toxic garbage including scrap tires and used engine oil and fluids accelerates toxic air exposure for people who live in polluted areas. The burning of these types of garbage emits high amounts of hazardous chemicals into the air, which penetrate into the ground, the human body and construction materials. The toxic chemicals found in them can result in long-term health issues. Therefore, never burn things which are not fuels.

“Амьсгалах эрх” төслөөс санал болгох эрүүл мэндийн зөвлөмжүүд

Агаарын бохирдол Монголд

Монголын хүн амын тал гаруй хувь нь оршин сууж буй Улаанбаатар хотын агаарын бохирдлын 87 хувь нь гэр хорооллын өрхүүд болон бусад зуухнаас, үлдсэн хувь нь автомашин, дулааны станц, усан халаалтын зуухнаас үүсдэг. Өсөн нэмэгдэж буй гэр хорооллын өрхүүдийг нийтээр нь төвийн халаалтын системд холбох, цахилгаан халаагуураар халаах, аль эсвэл орон сууцанд оруулах дэд бүтцийн болоод эдийн засгийн боломж одоогоор хязгаарлагдмал байна.

Иймд гэр хорооллын өрхүүд түүхий нүүрс түлж гэр, байшингаа халаахаас өөр аргагүйд хүрч байгаа ба цаашлаад Улаанбаатар төдийгүй бусад суурин газруудад агаарын бохирдол маш аюултай төвшинд хүрээд байгаа юм. Улаанбаатар хотын агаарын бохирдол өвлийн улиралд ДЭМБ-ын зөвлөсөн хүлцэх хэмжээнээс даруй 50 дахин илүү байдаг. 2018 онд Улаанбаатар хот хамгийн их агаарын бохирдолтой хотын жагсаалтын 5 дугаарт бичигдсэн бөгөөд жилийн дундаж бохирдлоор энэхүү удирдамжаас 6 дахин илүү байв. 2018 оны байдлаар Улаанбаатар хотод нийт 11 агаарын чанар хэмжигч төхөөрөмж байсан ба мэдээллийг agaar.mn цахим хуудсаар олон нийтэд түгээдэг. Харин бусад хот, суурин газруудад агаарын чанарыг хэмжих төхөөрөмж огт байгаагүй.

“Амьсгалах эрх” төсөл, Пипл ин нийд ТББ

Чех улсад төвтэй Пипл ин нийд ТББ нь 2009/2010 оны зудад нэрвэгдсэн малчдад хүмүүнлэгийн тусламж үзүүлснээр Монголд үйл ажиллагаагаа эхлүүлсэн билээ. Тэр үеэс хойш Монголд онцгой байдлын тусламж үзүүлэх, тогтвортой амжиргааг дэмжих, ард иргэд, иргэний нийгмийн байгууллагуудыг чадавхижуулах, дээд боловсролыг чанаржуулах зэрэг төсөл хөтөлбөрүүдийг хэрэгжүүлсэн. Алслагдсан, хөдөө орон нутгийн газруудад төвлөрөн үйл ажиллагаа явуулдаг байсан Пипл ин нийд 2018 оноос хот суурин газруудад тулгамдаж буй асуудлууд руу анхаарлаа хандуулж, үйл ажиллагаагаа тэлж эхэлсэн билээ.

Пипл ин нийд ТББ нь Монголын байгаль орчны иргэний зөвлөл, Монголын хуульч эмэгтэйчүүдийн холбоо, Гэр иргэдийн оролцоотой амьдрах орчны зураглалын төв байгууллагуудтай хамтран Европын холбооны санхүүжилтээр “Амьсгалах эрх” төслийг 2018 оноос эхлэн 2019 оны сүүлч хүртэл хэрэгжүүлэх юм. Төслийн хүрээнд агаарын бохирдлын тухай иргэд ба иргэний нийгмийн байгууллагуудын мэдлэг, ойлголтыг нэмэгдүүлэх, холбогдолтой үйл ажиллагаануудын ил тод байдал ба хариуцлагыг нэмэгдүүлэх ажлуудыг зохион байгуулж байна.

“Амьсгалах эрх” төслийн хүрээнд Улаанбаатар болон бусад хот суурин газруудад нийт 50 “IQAir” агаарын чанар хэмжигч төхөөрөмжийг дотор болон гадна орчинд суурилуулсан билээ. Ингэснээр агаарын чанарын хэмжилт хийгддэггүй байсан байршлуудын агаарын чанарын түвшинг тогтоох, дотоод орчны агаарын бохирдлыг хэмжих боломж нэмэгдэж байгаа юм. Иргэд “AirVisual” апп-аар дамжуулан өөрт ойр байгаа агаарын чанар хэмжигч төхөөрөмжүүдээс мэдээлэл авах боломжтой болж байна. Агаарын чанарын индекс (АЧИ) өндөр буюу агаарын бохирдол ихтэй үед иргэд өөрсдийгөө болон гэр бүлийнхнээ хамгаалах зайлшгүй шаардлагатай. “Амьсгалах эрх” төслийн зүгээс хувь хүний болоод өрхийн төвшинд агаарын бохирдлоос хамгаалах энгийн бөгөөд үр дүнтэй аргуудыг санал болгож байна.

Агаарын бохирдлоос хамгаалах 10 зөвлөмж

1. Агаарын чанарын мэдээг тогтмол шалгаж хэвших

Агаарын бохирдлын хэмжээ ямар байгааг бид зөвхөн нүдээрээ хараад хэлж чадахгүй. Иймд баталгаатай эх сурвалжаас агаарын бохирдлын хэмжээг тогтмол шалгаж байх шаардлагатай. Төрийн харьяат болон Пипл ин нийд ТББ-ын “Амьсгалах эрх” төслийн хүрээнд суурилуулсан бүх агаар хэмжигч төхөөрөмжийн мэдээллийг та AirVisual гэх үнэ төлбөргүй апп-аас авах боломжтой юм. Эндээс та агаарын бохирдлын төвшинг өнгөөр ялгасан, энийн ойлгомжтой байдлаар харах боломжтойгоос гадна тухайн үед эрүүл мэндээ хэрхэн хамгаалах зөвлөмжүүдийг авч чадна.

2. Агаарын бохирдлын төвшин өндөр үед шүүлтүүртэй амны хаалт зүүж хэвших

PM 2.5 тоосонцорыг шүүдэг шүүлтүүр бүхий материалаар хийсэн амны хаалт агаарын бохирдлоос эрүүл мэндээ арга туршлагын зайлшгүй нэг арга мөн. Эмнэлгийн амны хаалт бохирдлыг шүүхгүй гэдгийг анхаараарай. Амны хаалт сонгохдоо тухайн материал нь бүхэлдээ PM2.5-ийг шүүдэг эсэхийг сайтар шалгах нь зүйтэй. Тухайлбал N95 ба N99 төвшний маскууд нь маш өндөр төвшинд буюу PM2.5 нарийн ширхэгт тоосонцруудыг 95%, 99% шүүх чадвартай гэсэн үг юм. Мөн амны хаалт таны нүүрний хэлбэрт яг тохирсон, огт зай завсар орохгүй байхаар тооцож авах нь чухал.

3. Хэт мэдрэг хүмүүс гадуур удаан хугацаагаар явахгүй байх

Жирэмсэн эхчүүд, нялх бага насны хүүхдүүд, өндөр настай хүмүүс болон архаг хууч өвчтэй хүмүүс агаарын бохирдолд хэт мэдрэг бас өртөх эрсдэл өндөр байдаг. Тиймээс агаарын бохирдол их үед аль болох гадуур удаан явахгүй, гарах шаардлагатай бол шүүлтүүртэй амны хаалт зүүх нь агаарын бохирдолд өртөх эрсдэлийг бууруулна.

4. Хепа шүүлтүүртэй агаар цэвэршүүлэгч ашиглах

Агаар нэвтрүүлэх зорилгоор барилгын хана, цонх зэрэгт зай завсар байдаг учир дотоод орчны агаарын бохирдолд гадна агаарын бохирдол шууд нөлөөлдөг. Үүнээс гадна нүүрс түлэх, тамхи татах, ахуйн цэвэрлэгээний бодисууд, чанаргүй барилгын материал гэх мэт өөр олон хүчин зүйлс бий. Заримдаа гэр болон албан тасалгаан доторх агаар гадаад орчны агаараас ч бохир болсныг бид анзаардаггүй. Тиймээс гэр болон албан тасалгаандаа агаар цэвэршүүлэгч хэрэглэж хэвших нь чухал юм. Агаар шүүгчид тавигдах гол шаардлага нь PM2.5 тоосонцорыг 99.9% хүртэл шүүдэг HEPA шүүлтүүр юм.

5. Хаалга цонхныхоо дулаан алдагдлыг бууруулж агаарын бохирдлоос хамгаалах

Гадаад орчны агаар дахь бохирдлын хэмжээ их үед гэр болон албан тасалгааны нүх сүвээр нэвтэрч дотоод орчны агаарын чанарыг бууруулдаг. Иймд цонх, хаалганы завсараар бохирдолтой агаар нэвтрэхээс сэргийлж дуулаалга хийж битүүмжлэх, цонхны шүүлтүүр тавих зэрэг арга хэмжээг авах нь зүйтэй.

6. Стандартын шаардлага хангасан сайжруулсан зуух хэрэглэж хэвших

Энгийн зууханд галлахдаа эхлээд модоо хийн дараа нь нүүрсээ түлдэг бол сайжруулсан зуухны хувьд эхлээд нүүрсээ хийн дээр нь модоо хийснээр нүүрсний бүрэн шатах нөхцлийг ханган тоосонцрыг маш бага ялгаруулж мөн дулааныг удаан хадгалдаг байна. Сайжруулсан зуух нь түлшийг 30% хүртэл хэмнэж, утаанд агуулагдах хорт бодисын хэмжээг 20-80% хүртэл бууруулдаг*. Сайжруулсан зуух ашигласнаар та түлшээ хэмнээг зогсохгүй агаарын бохирдолд өртөх эрсдлээ бууруулж чадна.

*2017-02-02 Дэлхийн банкны “Монгол улсын цэвэр зуух санаачилга” судалгааны тайлан

7. Сайжруулсан түлш ашиглах

Сайжруулсан түлш гэдэг нь нүүрсийг жижиглэн бутлаад бэхжүүлж, шаталтыг дэмжих бодис нэмж хэлбэр оруулан шахсан нүүрс юм. Хэрэглээний хувьд сайжруулсан түлш нь түүхий нүүрстэй харьцуулахад утаа, хөө тортог бага гардаг, үнсний хэмжээ бага,чийгшил бага, дулаан барилт сайтай.

8. Байгальд ээлтэй, эрчим хүчний хэмнэлттэй технологоор халаалтаа шийдэх

Монгол улсын хот суурин газрын агаарын бохирдлын 60-80%-ийг гэр хорооллын ердийн галлагаатай зуухнаас ялгарч буй утаа бүрдүүлж байгаа өнөө үед байгальд ээлтэй, эрчим хүчний хэмнэлттэй технологиор гэр болон байшингаа халаах нь хамгийн зөв шийдэл мөн. Цахилгаанаар халааснаар агаарын бохирдлыг бууруулахад хувь нэмрээ оруулж байгаагаас гадна гэрийн дотоод орчны агаарын бохирдлыг бууруулдаг.

9. Гэр болон байшингаа дулаалж, дулаан алдагдлыг бууруулах

Айл өрх бүр гэр болон байшингийнхаа дулаан алдагдлыг бууруулснаар нүүрсний хэрэглээгээ багасгаж, эрчим хүчний хэмнэлтийг өсгөж агаарын бохирдлыг бууруулахад асар их хувь нэмэр оруулж чадна. Байшингийн дулаан их алдаж байгаа хэсэгт хөлрөлт, цанталт үүссэнээс болж мөөгөнцөр үүсэх нөхцлийг бүрдүүлдэг нь дотоод орчны агаарыг бохирдуулах эрсдэлтэй. Байшин болон гэрээ технологийн шаардлага хангасан материалаар дулаалвал нүүрсний болон цахилгааны хэрэглээг 50 хувь хүртэл бууруулах боломжтой.

10. Хортой хог хаягдал, дугуй, ашигласан тос, масло шатаахгүй байх

Хортой хог хаягдал болон дугуй, тос шатаах нь агаарын бохирдолтой орчинд амьдарч байгаа хүмүүсийн хувьд аливаа өвчин эмгэгт өртөх магадлалыг нэмэгдүүлдэг. Дугуй, хог шатаах болон төрөл бүрийн шаталтын процессын үед маш олон төрлийн хорт бодисууд ялгардаг бөгөөд удаан задардаг органик нэгдлүүд хөрсөнд, агаарт, хүн амьтны биед, обьектын дээвэр хананд урт хугацаанд хуримтлагдан амьсгалын замаар хүний биед нэвтэрч эрүүл мэндэд сөргөөр нөлөөлдөг. Иймд зориулалтын бус зүйлсийг бүү шатааж байгаарай.

","revealing-the-invisible-people-in-need-air-pollution-crisis-mongolia","gid://shopify/Article/606884626731","onlineStoreUrl","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-people-in-need-air-pollution-crisis-mongolia","trackingParameters","publishedAt","2019-07-04T17:24:39Z",[390,648],"Revealing the Invisible: People in need in Mongolia","image",{"_10":1149,"_243":1150,"_246":1151,"_248":1152,"_244":1153},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/405931229558","Mongolia air pollution in distance","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Mongolia_Pollution_Desk_e3fd31ca-3f9a-44eb-a553-8ca61334b69c.webp?v=1750328982",1600,833,{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1155,"_1115":1156,"_1131":1157,"_1133":1157,"_1134":1158,"_1136":1159,"_985":1160,"_10":1161,"_1140":1162,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1163,"_577":1164,"_541":1165,"_1147":1166},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Read how Kym used her AirVisual Pro as an outdoor air monitoring station to inform her neighbors about toxic volcanic smog.","When we think of air pollution emissions, we often imagine smoke plumes from factory stacks and sputtering car exhausts. For local resident Kym and the nearly 200,000 residents of the big island, Hawaii, these emission sources are few and far between. Pollution plaguing the island is from an entirely different source — naturally occurring volcanic activity.Volcanic smog — referred to by locals as “vog” — has been a near-constant condition of life on the Hawaiian island for more than two decades. In 1983, volcano Kīlauea began erupting more frequently, and only since 2018 has volcanic activity finally slowed.1The visual effect of “vog” on Kailua Kona Town, Hawaii, HawaiiDuring the years of activity, as new fissures and openings came to appear on the changing surface of the volcano, air pollution on the island would worsen. It was during one of these events of heightened air pollution that local resident Kym, an asthmatic and outdoor enthusiast, decided to take matters into her own hands to start more accurately measuringpollution levels and informing residents so that they can better protect their own health.Previously, the nearest governmental air quality monitor was roughly 12 miles away and situated at a point of higher elevation on a mountainside. Locals feared that due to its positioning, the station under-reported the severity of the problem. Without accurate, actionable data, Kym saw many of her friends move away from the island in fear.Kym’s AirVisual Pro (left) displays sustained “unhealthy” readings in Kailua Kona Town. App screenshot (right) compares readings from stations across the island, with stations closer to the volcano showing higher readings than those nearer to the ocean.While locals came together at town hall meetings with greater urgency, demanding the county add more monitoring stations, Kym’s newly launched station began gaining popularity. The local radio station started reporting daily readings to help guide locals’ outdoor activities.Since Kilauea volcano stopped fuming as of August 2018, residents of Kailua-Kona are breathing easy again and hoping the clear air lasts. The network Kym helped to establish, meanwhile, remains ready for the day when the active fault opens the Earth’s surface to magma once again.2Kym’s AirVisual Pro (left) displays sustained “unhealthy” readings in Kailua Kona Town. App screenshot (right) compares readings from stations across the island, with stations closer to the volcano showing higher readings than those nearer to the ocean.","

When we think of air pollution emissions, we often imagine smoke plumes from factory stacks and sputtering car exhausts. For local resident Kym and the nearly 200,000 residents of the big island, Hawaii, these emission sources are few and far between. Pollution plaguing the island is from an entirely different source — naturally occurring volcanic activity.

Volcanic smog — referred to by locals as “vog” — has been a near-constant condition of life on the Hawaiian island for more than two decades. In 1983, volcano Kīlauea began erupting more frequently, and only since 2018 has volcanic activity finally slowed.¹

$\"Visual$ The visual effect of “vog” on Kailua Kona Town, Hawaii, Hawaii

During the years of activity, as new fissures and openings came to appear on the changing surface of the volcano, air pollution on the island would worsen. It was during one of these events of heightened air pollution that local resident Kym, an asthmatic and outdoor enthusiast, decided to take matters into her own hands to start more accurately measuringpollution levels and informing residents so that they can better protect their own health.

Previously, the nearest governmental air quality monitor was roughly 12 miles away and situated at a point of higher elevation on a mountainside. Locals feared that due to its positioning, the station under-reported the severity of the problem. Without accurate, actionable data, Kym saw many of her friends move away from the island in fear.

$\"image$ Kym’s AirVisual Pro (left) displays sustained “unhealthy” readings in Kailua Kona Town. App screenshot (right) compares readings from stations across the island, with stations closer to the volcano showing higher readings than those nearer to the ocean.

While locals came together at town hall meetings with greater urgency, demanding the county add more monitoring stations, Kym’s newly launched station began gaining popularity. The local radio station started reporting daily readings to help guide locals’ outdoor activities.

Since Kilauea volcano stopped fuming as of August 2018, residents of Kailua-Kona are breathing easy again and hoping the clear air lasts. The network Kym helped to establish, meanwhile, remains ready for the day when the active fault opens the Earth’s surface to magma once again.²

$\"map$ Kym’s AirVisual Pro (left) displays sustained “unhealthy” readings in Kailua Kona Town. App screenshot (right) compares readings from stations across the island, with stations closer to the volcano showing higher readings than those nearer to the ocean.

","revealing-the-invisible-kym-in-hawaii","gid://shopify/Article/606885085483","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-kym-in-hawaii","2019-04-19T17:24:39Z",[390,648],"Revealing the Invisible: Kym in Hawaii, USA",{"_10":1167,"_243":1168,"_246":1169,"_248":1170,"_244":1171},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/405837152630","mountain lava","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/free-photo-of-stunning-aerial-view-of-icelandic-volcano-eruption-2.jpg?v=1750070360",2880,1550,{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1173,"_1115":1174,"_1131":1175,"_1133":1175,"_1134":1176,"_1136":1177,"_985":1178,"_10":1179,"_1140":1180,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1181,"_577":1182,"_541":1183,"_1147":1184},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Citizen scientists around the world are taking air quality matters into their own hands. Learn more.","Global air pollution has become a major problem. It’s bigger than any one person, government, or organization can tackle alone. That’s why citizen scientists around the world are taking air quality matters into their own hands. Because everyone suffers when air pollution becomes severe, countering the problem can sometimes involve unlikely but necessary partnerships. An oil company accepts responsibility Founded as an engine lubricants company in 1966, Unioil is a regional powerhouse in the Philippines’ oil market. Unioil operates retail gas stations throughout the nation, positioning themselves as the public face of high-quality fuels and lubricants. But rather than focus solely on profits and growth, the company chose to invest in improving the air quality of the Philippines. With that goal in mind, Unioil established the largest network for air quality monitoring in the Philippines in 2016. Unioil’s unique position as an influential regional vehicle fuel corporation helped them to promote better air quality. Air quality monitors also help encourage change in consumer behavior across the country by tackling one of its primary sources of air pollution: vehicle emissions. Powered by AirVisual, Unioil is promoting the largest air quality monitoring network in the Philippines. Founded as a modest engine lubricants company, Unioil has become a regional powerhouse in the Philippines’ enormous oil market. And after a string of lucrative business moves, Unioil began opening retail gas stations throughout the Philippines, positioning themselves as the public face of high-quality fuels and lubricants. You may think you know the rest of this story: oil company gets huge, sits on billions of dollars, and contributes to global pollution while ignoring the massive impact that its product has on the environment. Think again. Unioil is also behind the largest air quality monitoring network in the Philippines. Their unique position as an expert in vehicle fuel and as one of the region’s most influential corporations is allowing them to promote a cleaner Air Quality Index (AQI) and changes in consumer behavior across the country by tackling one of its primary sources of air pollution: vehicle emissions. Powered by AirVisual Pro by IQAir, Unioil is behind the largest air quality monitoring network in the Philippines. Unioil’s preferred tool for reducing air pollution and a poor air quality is the IQAir AirVisual air quality monitor. What are the causes of air pollution in the Philippines? Roads in The Philippines, in its capital Manila in particular, are overcrowded and tied with Bengaluru, India for the worst congestion in the world in 2019 at 71 percent congested.1 In 2020, Manila was in fourth place with 53 percent congestion, falling behind or tying with three other cities: Moscow, Russia: 54% Mumbai, India: 53% Bogota, Colombia: 53% Limited public transportation has forced many of the archipelago’s 103 million residents to commute by gas-powered vehicles, resulting in jammed highways that generate (literal) tons of polluted air. Manila is a huge urban area of 24 million residents and extremely dense; Manila has 4 million more people than New York City, but squeezed into about 400 square miles less. With a growing population and terrain limitations, it’s not surprising that Metro Manila is oversaturated with vehicles. And some, like the iconic Jeepney, are some of the worst contributors to the AQI still on the roads today. The jeepney, a decorative commuter bus common to Manila’s streets, has long been a symbol of Filipino culture. First introduced to the islands as U.S. military vehicles during the Second World War, their outdated motors and heavy metal frameworks are significant contributors to poor energy efficiency and toxic emissions.2,3 But while they’re the cheapest mode of transportation in the Philippines, costing about $0.15 per ride, the iconic jeepneys cart millions of people each day at a cost of 22,000 metric tons of soot a year. While they’re the cheapest mode of transportation in the Philippines, the iconic jeepneys cart millions of people each day at a cost of 22,000 metric tons of soot a year. Increasing public awareness has revealed just how little is known about just how bad the air quality is. Many Filipinos were unaware of the nature and scale of poor air quality in their country. Setting the clean oil standard Unioil developed a network of AirVisual air quality sensors now stretches across metro Manila. In every Unioil gas station in the Philippines, there is a transparent box hanging over the entrance. Inside is an AirVisual air quality monitor, measuring ambient air quality and broadcasting the current air quality to the IQAir public air pollution database. Unioil pioneered environmentally friendly fuel standards in the Philippines. They introduced Euro 4 standard fuels to the country when required industry standards were still at Euro 2 and Euro 4 standards weren't yet legally required. Unioil also began distributing Euro 5 standard fuels at its stations when the industry requirement was still at Euro 4.4 With a maximum sulfur content of 10 parts per million, Unioil's Euro 5 fuels are five times cleaner than other conventional fuels sold in the country. Unioil’s strategic placement of AirVisual air quality monitors at gas stations helps to give greater visibility to the nation’s air pollution. Unioil’s strategic placement of AirVisual air quality monitors at gas stations helps to give greater visibility to the nation’s air pollution. These live air quality readings constantly remind drivers of the impact of heavy vehicle emissions. Such reminders resonate deeply with a country that relies on millions of decades-old, fuel-inefficient cars, buses, and jeepneys to get around every day. The visibility of the AirVisual at high-traffic gas stations are intended to raise awareness of air pollution levels and air quality in the areas where Filipinos work and live. Is the push toward clean fuel working? The Filipino government first began legislating for cleaner air with the Philippines Clean Air Act.5 But nearly two decades later, jeepneys and traffic congestion remain real challenges. Field tests conducted by Unioil with the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) show that vehicles using Euro 5 fuels result in 77 percent cleaner emissions compared to vehicles using Euro 4 standard fuels.6 Field tests show that vehicles using Euro 5 fuels result in 77 percent cleaner emissions compared to vehicles using Euro 4 standard fuels. Unioil also partnered with the Philippines DENR and signed a Memorandum Of Agreement supporting an AirVisual monitoring network expansion.7 By partnering with the Philippine government, Unioil seeks to promote environmentally-friendly policy decisions and responsible consumer choices. Together, they aim to generate a national air quality status report that will form the basis of a nationwide air quality improvement framework. Unioil's clean energy and air quality awareness initiatives illustrate how corporations and conscious consumer choices can align to change a city's landscape for the better while promoting a cleaner, healthier future. The takeaway Air quality knowledge is air quality power. Anyone who looks at an AirVisual is immediately armed with the awareness that we all breathe the same air and that we can all do something about it, from a single citizen scientist in Nigeria to a national fuel corporation. Having access to national air quality data could lead the Philippines away from its status quo of dangerous, far too common vehicle emissions. There are 80,000 air quality monitors in cities around the world providing live air quality data. You can join them today. Learn how you can use your AirVisual to contribute to the world’s largest air quality monitoring database.","

Global air pollution has become a major problem. It’s bigger than any one person, government, or organization can tackle alone.

That’s why citizen scientists around the world are taking air quality matters into their own hands. Because everyone suffers when air pollution becomes severe, countering the problem can sometimes involve unlikely but necessary partnerships.

An oil company accepts responsibility

Founded as an engine lubricants company in 1966, Unioil is a regional powerhouse in the Philippines’ oil market. Unioil operates retail gas stations throughout the nation, positioning themselves as the public face of high-quality fuels and lubricants.

But rather than focus solely on profits and growth, the company chose to invest in improving the air quality of the Philippines. With that goal in mind, Unioil established the largest network for air quality monitoring in the Philippines in 2016.

Unioil’s unique position as an influential regional vehicle fuel corporation helped them to promote better air quality. Air quality monitors also help encourage change in consumer behavior across the country by tackling one of its primary sources of air pollution: vehicle emissions.

Powered by AirVisual, Unioil is promoting the largest air quality monitoring network in the Philippines.

Founded as a modest engine lubricants company, Unioil has become a regional powerhouse in the Philippines’ enormous oil market. And after a string of lucrative business moves, Unioil began opening retail gas stations throughout the Philippines, positioning themselves as the public face of high-quality fuels and lubricants.

You may think you know the rest of this story: oil company gets huge, sits on billions of dollars, and contributes to global pollution while ignoring the massive impact that its product has on the environment.

Think again.

Unioil is also behind the largest air quality monitoring network in the Philippines. Their unique position as an expert in vehicle fuel and as one of the region’s most influential corporations is allowing them to promote a cleaner Air Quality Index (AQI) and changes in consumer behavior across the country by tackling one of its primary sources of air pollution: vehicle emissions.

Powered by AirVisual Pro by IQAir, Unioil is behind the largest air quality monitoring network in the Philippines.

Unioil’s preferred tool for reducing air pollution and a poor air quality is the IQAir AirVisual air quality monitor.

What are the causes of air pollution in the Philippines?

Roads in The Philippines, in its capital Manila in particular, are overcrowded and tied with Bengaluru, India for the worst congestion in the world in 2019 at 71 percent congested.¹ In 2020, Manila was in fourth place with 53 percent congestion, falling behind or tying with three other cities:

\nMoscow, Russia: 54%
\nMumbai, India: 53%
\nBogota, Colombia: 53%

Limited public transportation has forced many of the archipelago’s 103 million residents to commute by gas-powered vehicles, resulting in jammed highways that generate (literal) tons of polluted air.

Manila is a huge urban area of 24 million residents and extremely dense; Manila has 4 million more people than New York City, but squeezed into about 400 square miles less. With a growing population and terrain limitations, it’s not surprising that Metro Manila is oversaturated with vehicles.

And some, like the iconic Jeepney, are some of the worst contributors to the AQI still on the roads today.

The jeepney, a decorative commuter bus common to Manila’s streets, has long been a symbol of Filipino culture. First introduced to the islands as U.S. military vehicles during the Second World War, their outdated motors and heavy metal frameworks are significant contributors to poor energy efficiency and toxic emissions.^2,3

But while they’re the cheapest mode of transportation in the Philippines, costing about $0.15 per ride, the iconic jeepneys cart millions of people each day at a cost of 22,000 metric tons of soot a year.

While they’re the cheapest mode of transportation in the Philippines, the iconic jeepneys cart millions of people each day at a cost of 22,000 metric tons of soot a year.

Increasing public awareness has revealed just how little is known about just how bad the air quality is. Many Filipinos were unaware of the nature and scale of poor air quality in their country.

Setting the clean oil standard

Unioil developed a network of AirVisual air quality sensors now stretches across metro Manila.

In every Unioil gas station in the Philippines, there is a transparent box hanging over the entrance. Inside is an AirVisual air quality monitor, measuring ambient air quality and broadcasting the current air quality to the IQAir public air pollution database.

Unioil pioneered environmentally friendly fuel standards in the Philippines. They introduced Euro 4 standard fuels to the country when required industry standards were still at Euro 2 and Euro 4 standards weren't yet legally required. Unioil also began distributing Euro 5 standard fuels at its stations when the industry requirement was still at Euro 4.⁴

With a maximum sulfur content of 10 parts per million, Unioil's Euro 5 fuels are five times cleaner than other conventional fuels sold in the country.

Unioil’s strategic placement of AirVisual air quality monitors at gas stations helps to give greater visibility to the nation’s air pollution.

Unioil’s strategic placement of AirVisual air quality monitors at gas stations helps to give greater visibility to the nation’s air pollution.

These live air quality readings constantly remind drivers of the impact of heavy vehicle emissions. Such reminders resonate deeply with a country that relies on millions of decades-old, fuel-inefficient cars, buses, and jeepneys to get around every day. The visibility of the AirVisual at high-traffic gas stations are intended to raise awareness of air pollution levels and air quality in the areas where Filipinos work and live.

Is the push toward clean fuel working?

The Filipino government first began legislating for cleaner air with the Philippines Clean Air Act.⁵ But nearly two decades later, jeepneys and traffic congestion remain real challenges.

Field tests conducted by Unioil with the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) show that vehicles using Euro 5 fuels result in 77 percent cleaner emissions compared to vehicles using Euro 4 standard fuels.⁶

Field tests show that vehicles using Euro 5 fuels result in 77 percent cleaner emissions compared to vehicles using Euro 4 standard fuels.

Unioil also partnered with the Philippines DENR and signed a Memorandum Of Agreement supporting an AirVisual monitoring network expansion.⁷

By partnering with the Philippine government, Unioil seeks to promote environmentally-friendly policy decisions and responsible consumer choices. Together, they aim to generate a national air quality status report that will form the basis of a nationwide air quality improvement framework.

Unioil's clean energy and air quality awareness initiatives illustrate how corporations and conscious consumer choices can align to change a city's landscape for the better while promoting a cleaner, healthier future.

The takeaway

Air quality knowledge is air quality power. Anyone who looks at an AirVisual is immediately armed with the awareness that we all breathe the same air and that we can all do something about it, from a single citizen scientist in Nigeria to a national fuel corporation.

Having access to national air quality data could lead the Philippines away from its status quo of dangerous, far too common vehicle emissions.

There are 80,000 air quality monitors in cities around the world providing live air quality data. You can join them today.

Learn how you can use your AirVisual to contribute to the world’s largest air quality monitoring database.

","oil-money-air-quality-citizen-science-philippines","gid://shopify/Article/606883283243","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/oil-money-air-quality-citizen-science-philippines","2018-10-01T13:31:23Z",[390,643,648],"Revealing the Invisible: How oil money started an air quality revolution",{"_10":1185,"_243":1186,"_246":1187,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406199239030","Filipino/a drivers on motorcycles and in cars on a wet, congested road in what is ostensibly the Philippines.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_Invisible2_d9cd2eea-70be-4fd9-b314-e8d4ec306ace.jpg?v=1751290223",1500,{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1190,"_1115":1191,"_1131":1192,"_1133":1192,"_1134":1193,"_1136":1194,"_985":1195,"_10":1196,"_1140":1197,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1198,"_577":1199,"_541":1200,"_1147":1201},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"For the first time, air quality in Port Harcourt, Nigeria is being tracked using IQAir air quality data. Learn about this breakthrough technology here.","The cutting-edge AirVisual Pro air quality monitor by IQAir has been deployed as an outdoor air quality monitoring station in cities worldwide. In some cities, the AirVisual Pro is the only data source available. One such city is Port Harcourt, Nigeria. In 2017, citizens chose to take their local air quality into their own hands. For the first time, air quality data from Nigeria was reported in real time and broadcast live to the world. For the first time, air quality data from Nigeria was being reported in real time and broadcast live to the world. Rafael, the proactive citizen behind an ingenious air quality monitoring installation involving the AirVisual Pro in his home of Port Harcourt, explained what he sought to achieve by implementing his AirVisual Pro as a public outdoor monitoring station. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Covered in a black layer of soot One day, Rafael noticed a radical change in air quality in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Every morning, he could “see, feel and smell” the pollution in the air. For several months, the city went through a hazardous phase of air pollution that covered all surfaces in soot.1 During this “soot-storm,” many of Port Harcourt’s nearly 2 million citizens took social media by storm, sharing pictures and videos of the black layer covering clothes, cars, and skin. Many of Port Harcourt’s nearly 2million citizens took social media by storm, sharing pictures and videos of the black layer covering clothes, cars, and skin. Situated in the delta of the river Niger, Port Harcourt, the capital city of the Rivers State, is one of the “most impacted cities by air pollution, because of its oil industry,” says Rafael. Nigeria is the first oil-producing country in Africa.Rivers State, due to its geographical location and natural resources, is home to many international petroleum firms, oil refineries, and pipelines.2,3 AirVisual Pro: A local solution to a national problem Rafael noticed that the pollution was getting worse. A father of two, Rafael simply wanted to know “with high accuracy how bad the air quality really is” so that he could take measures to protect his family from the effects of the poor air quality. The lack of public data and information motivated him to request reports on the situation. But his efforts were largely futile, as “the maximum we managed was to get a daily advisory notification, not real-time data.” Rafael wanted data from which he could make informed decisions on the spot. Then, he discovered the AirVisual Pro air quality monitor which promised exactly what he wanted. He promptly purchased his first AirVisual Pro and installed it at his home. Eager to let his local community benefit from his AirVisual Pro data as well, he set it up outdoors as a public monitoring station. At the time, Rafael's air quality monitor was the first of only two air air quality data sources available in the whole country. With the AirVisual Pro, Rafael said he could detect pollution trends and patterns as well as whether it was safe for his children and his family to be outdoors. Having “no power to deal with the source of the pollution, all I can do is have the data and make decisions accordingly.” What Rafael was most concerned about “illegal activities like illegal oil refineries.”which were among the suspected pollution sources for a pollution spike in Port Harcourt.4 At the time, Nigerian authorities estimated that corruption and gang activities managed to siphon “120,000 barrels of oil each day, or about 6 percent of Nigeria's annual barrels per day output.”5 Once stolen, the oil is often refined in dangerous and improvised installations before entering the black market. These illegal refineries not only pollute the air, water, and soil but also endanger the men and women whose work in these installations is often their only source of income. These illegal oil refineries not only pollute the air, water, and soil they also endanger the men and women whose work in these installations is often their only source of income. The government seems to be tackling the problem by burning down these makeshift refineries as well as the vessels they use for transporting the crude oil, which creates huge toxic smoke.6 A 2019 article published in The Open Chemical Engineering Journal noted that in 2012, 4,349 illegal refineries were destroyed by the military in the Niger Delta.7 In 2020, 136 dugout pits and 201 surface metal storage tanks containing 14,434 barrels of suspected stolen crude oil were dismantled by the military.8 Rafael started noticing high spikes of visible pollution at night. His suspicions were confirmed by his AirVisual Pro, which showed spikes in PM2.5 in the evenings. Consequently, Rafael started noticing high spikes of visible pollution at night. His suspicions were confirmed by his AirVisual Pro readings, which showed spikes in PM2.5(particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns)in the evenings. Poor air quality in Nigeria: A symptom of a larger problem The city of Onitsha, less than 200 miles from Port Harcourt, was ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the city with the world’s worst air in 2016.9 Onitsha average dan annual concentration of 594 µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter) of PM10 particles, about 30 times over the international guideline of 20 µg/m3.10 The city of Onitsha, less than 200 miles from Port Harcourt, was ranked by the World Health Organization as the city with the world’s worst air. Onitsha’s pollution statistics closely mirror those of Port Harcourt, that is now leading a revolution in uncovering not only the sources of local air pollution but also the patterns that underlie their behaviour. According to the 2019 World Air Quality Report, Kano in northeastern Nigeria was the 23rd most polluted city in Africa, with an average air quality was 21.4µ/m3. The city peaked at 59.8µg/m3 that February. In 2018, Kano recorded an average of 53.4µg/m3. In Rafael’s opinion, illegal refineries and the government’s crackdown on their operations “is only part of what is going on,” as there are many causes of air pollution in Nigeria. Many other illegal activities, including waste burning and metal smelting, combined with dry weather and dusty grounds, drastically increase PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. Dry weather and dust are likely a factor in Kano's pollution, as the city is located in the arid Sudanian Savannah, just south of the Sahel and Sahara Desert. These spikes in pollutants sometimes cause the air quality index (AQI) reading in Port Harcourt to skyrocket over 400. Any AQI reading over 300 is considered “Hazardous,” meaning that poor air quality is so bad that it’s considered a public health emergency. Pollutant spikes sometimes cause local air quality readings in Port Harcourt to skyrocket over 400 – meaning that poor air quality is a public health emergency. Exposure to air pollution across Nigeria is significant. Nigeria was the fifth most polluted country in Africa according to the 2019 World Air Quality Report, with an annual PM2.5 mean of 21.4µg/m3.9 The air quality revolution will not be televised...without your help As levels rise drastically around the world, especially in urban areas, air pollution has received increasingly more attention and awareness: The Lancet Commission on pollution and health published a report in 2017finding that nearly 7 million people die each year from causes directly related to air pollution.11 Using IQAir data, Greene peace estimated that 200,000 people in the world's largest cities died from air pollution in 2020. According to the 2019 World Air Quality Report, over 90% of the world’s population lives in places where the air is considered unsafe to breathe by WHO standards. Reports say that, in some heavily polluted cities, such as Delhi in India and Pittsburgh in the United States, breathing the local air is equivalent to smoking up to 44 cigarettes a day.12,13 In many countries, air quality data is still available only from government-operated sources, both at the federal and local level. This can make it challenging to acquire air quality data from a specific region that may not be directly represented by government air quality monitors. But citizen scientists like Rafael are transforming the way that the global public can monitor and act upon air quality patterns. Rafael’s air quality monitor, which he installed outdoors, shared its data with his local community. He told us that it was very useful in helping him make smarter decisions about outdoor activities. It also enabled his neighbours to be more careful about their daily lives. The data, he said, “is highly valuable” and can encourage people to keep local polluters accountable and mobilize the community to invest into the air they’re breathing. As long as air quality monitors continue to be adopted by passionate activists, citizen scientists, and even concerned families or homeowners, the air quality revolution will continue to gain traction, ensuring that air quality is improved for the entire world as knowledge empowers change. Get involved! Interested in setting up your own local air quality monitoring network to put your community on the map with data and recommendations tailored to your neighbourhood? Find out how to become an outdoor air quality data contributor today.","

The cutting-edge AirVisual Pro air quality monitor by IQAir has been deployed as an outdoor air quality monitoring station in cities worldwide. In some cities, the AirVisual Pro is the only data source available.

One such city is Port Harcourt, Nigeria. In 2017, citizens chose to take their local air quality into their own hands. For the first time, air quality data from Nigeria was reported in real time and broadcast live to the world.

For the first time, air quality data from Nigeria was being reported in real time and broadcast live to the world.

Rafael, the proactive citizen behind an ingenious air quality monitoring installation involving the AirVisual Pro in his home of Port Harcourt, explained what he sought to achieve by implementing his AirVisual Pro as a public outdoor monitoring station.

Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Covered in a black layer of soot

One day, Rafael noticed a radical change in air quality in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Every morning, he could “see, feel and smell” the pollution in the air.

For several months, the city went through a hazardous phase of air pollution that covered all surfaces in soot.¹ During this “soot-storm,” many of Port Harcourt’s nearly 2 million citizens took social media by storm, sharing pictures and videos of the black layer covering clothes, cars, and skin.

Many of Port Harcourt’s nearly 2million citizens took social media by storm, sharing pictures and videos of the black layer covering clothes, cars, and skin.

Situated in the delta of the river Niger, Port Harcourt, the capital city of the Rivers State, is one of the “most impacted cities by air pollution, because of its oil industry,” says Rafael.

Nigeria is the first oil-producing country in Africa.Rivers State, due to its geographical location and natural resources, is home to many international petroleum firms, oil refineries, and pipelines.^2,3

AirVisual Pro: A local solution to a national problem

Rafael noticed that the pollution was getting worse. A father of two, Rafael simply wanted to know “with high accuracy how bad the air quality really is” so that he could take measures to protect his family from the effects of the poor air quality.

The lack of public data and information motivated him to request reports on the situation. But his efforts were largely futile, as “the maximum we managed was to get a daily advisory notification, not real-time data.” Rafael wanted data from which he could make informed decisions on the spot.

Then, he discovered the AirVisual Pro air quality monitor which promised exactly what he wanted. He promptly purchased his first AirVisual Pro and installed it at his home. Eager to let his local community benefit from his AirVisual Pro data as well, he set it up outdoors as a public monitoring station. At the time, Rafael's air quality monitor was the first of only two air air quality data sources available in the whole country.

With the AirVisual Pro, Rafael said he could detect pollution trends and patterns as well as whether it was safe for his children and his family to be outdoors. Having “no power to deal with the source of the pollution, all I can do is have the data and make decisions accordingly.”

What Rafael was most concerned about “illegal activities like illegal oil refineries.”which were among the suspected pollution sources for a pollution spike in Port Harcourt.⁴

At the time, Nigerian authorities estimated that corruption and gang activities managed to siphon “120,000 barrels of oil each day, or about 6 percent of Nigeria's annual barrels per day output.”⁵ Once stolen, the oil is often refined in dangerous and improvised installations before entering the black market. These illegal refineries not only pollute the air, water, and soil but also endanger the men and women whose work in these installations is often their only source of income.

These illegal oil refineries not only pollute the air, water, and soil they also endanger the men and women whose work in these installations is often their only source of income.

The government seems to be tackling the problem by burning down these makeshift refineries as well as the vessels they use for transporting the crude oil, which creates huge toxic smoke.⁶

A 2019 article published in The Open Chemical Engineering Journal noted that in 2012, 4,349 illegal refineries were destroyed by the military in the Niger Delta.⁷ In 2020, 136 dugout pits and 201 surface metal storage tanks containing 14,434 barrels of suspected stolen crude oil were dismantled by the military.⁸

Rafael started noticing high spikes of visible pollution at night. His suspicions were confirmed by his AirVisual Pro, which showed spikes in PM2.5 in the evenings.

Consequently, Rafael started noticing high spikes of visible pollution at night. His suspicions were confirmed by his AirVisual Pro readings, which showed spikes in PM2.5(particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns)in the evenings.

Poor air quality in Nigeria: A symptom of a larger problem

The city of Onitsha, less than 200 miles from Port Harcourt, was ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the city with the world’s worst air in 2016.⁹ Onitsha average dan annual concentration of 594 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter) of PM10 particles, about 30 times over the international guideline of 20 µg/m³.¹⁰

The city of Onitsha, less than 200 miles from Port Harcourt, was ranked by the World Health Organization as the city with the world’s worst air.

Onitsha’s pollution statistics closely mirror those of Port Harcourt, that is now leading a revolution in uncovering not only the sources of local air pollution but also the patterns that underlie their behaviour.

According to the 2019 World Air Quality Report, Kano in northeastern Nigeria was the 23rd most polluted city in Africa, with an average air quality was 21.4µ/m³. The city peaked at 59.8µg/m³ that February. In 2018, Kano recorded an average of 53.4µg/m³.

In Rafael’s opinion, illegal refineries and the government’s crackdown on their operations “is only part of what is going on,” as there are many causes of air pollution in Nigeria.

Many other illegal activities, including waste burning and metal smelting, combined with dry weather and dusty grounds, drastically increase PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. Dry weather and dust are likely a factor in Kano's pollution, as the city is located in the arid Sudanian Savannah, just south of the Sahel and Sahara Desert.

These spikes in pollutants sometimes cause the air quality index (AQI) reading in Port Harcourt to skyrocket over 400. Any AQI reading over 300 is considered “Hazardous,” meaning that poor air quality is so bad that it’s considered a public health emergency.

Pollutant spikes sometimes cause local air quality readings in Port Harcourt to skyrocket over 400 – meaning that poor air quality is a public health emergency.

Exposure to air pollution across Nigeria is significant. Nigeria was the fifth most polluted country in Africa according to the 2019 World Air Quality Report, with an annual PM2.5 mean of 21.4µg/m³.⁹

The air quality revolution will not be televised...without your help

As levels rise drastically around the world, especially in urban areas, air pollution has received increasingly more attention and awareness:

The Lancet Commission on pollution and health published a report in 2017finding that nearly 7 million people die each year from causes directly related to air pollution.¹¹\n
Using IQAir data, Greene peace estimated that 200,000 people in the world's largest cities died from air pollution in 2020.
According to the 2019 World Air Quality Report, over 90% of the world’s population lives in places where the air is considered unsafe to breathe by WHO standards.
Reports say that, in some heavily polluted cities, such as Delhi in India and Pittsburgh in the United States, breathing the local air is equivalent to smoking up to 44 cigarettes a day.^12,13\n

In many countries, air quality data is still available only from government-operated sources, both at the federal and local level. This can make it challenging to acquire air quality data from a specific region that may not be directly represented by government air quality monitors.

But citizen scientists like Rafael are transforming the way that the global public can monitor and act upon air quality patterns.

Rafael’s air quality monitor, which he installed outdoors, shared its data with his local community. He told us that it was very useful in helping him make smarter decisions about outdoor activities. It also enabled his neighbours to be more careful about their daily lives.

The data, he said, “is highly valuable” and can encourage people to keep local polluters accountable and mobilize the community to invest into the air they’re breathing.

As long as air quality monitors continue to be adopted by passionate activists, citizen scientists, and even concerned families or homeowners, the air quality revolution will continue to gain traction, ensuring that air quality is improved for the entire world as knowledge empowers change.

Get involved!

Interested in setting up your own local air quality monitoring network to put your community on the map with data and recommendations tailored to your neighbourhood?

Find out how to become an outdoor air quality data contributor today.

","air-quality-in-africa","gid://shopify/Article/606882431275","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/air-quality-in-africa","2018-06-12T13:41:15Z",[390,648,653,838],"Revealing the Invisible: Rafael and the \"World's Worst Air\"",{"_10":1202,"_243":1203,"_246":1204,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406554083702","Panoramic shot of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_Revealing-the-invisible_desktop_aec4e677-e7da-4fe5-8f59-9f7a75ad41da.jpg?v=1752576238",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1206,"_1115":1207,"_1131":1208,"_1133":1208,"_1134":1209,"_1136":1210,"_985":1211,"_10":1212,"_1140":1213,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1214,"_577":1215,"_541":1216,"_1147":1217},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"While Singapore benefits from its close proximity to larger countries, it can also be subject to influence from their emissions. Learn what citizens in Singapore are doing about its air quality problems.","Since its independence from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore has grown to become one of the most economically successful countries in the world, despite its small size. Its strategic location at the southern tip of Malaysia, and between key trade flows from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, has contributed to making it one of the largest ports in all of Asia, second only to Shanghai.1 Whilst the country benefits from its close proximity to larger countries, it can also be subject to influence from their emissions. Today, the country’s trade, transport, and petroleum activities only contribute to 0.11% of the world’s carbon emissions, yet local residents occasionally do suffer long stretches of poor air quality due to land and forest fires occurring in nearby Indonesia, a seasonal practice used by farmers to turn wildland into peatland ready for farming.2 But these emissions generated by this traditional farming practice are no small amount. For context, in 2015, concentrations went above 300ug/m3, corresponding to a US AQI of 350 (well above the 301 “Hazardous\" threshold). In roughly three weeks’ time, 2 million hectares of land were burnt and 600m tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions released — roughly Germany’s annual output.3 Why does Singapore air quality get so bad? With only dozens of kilometers separating Singapore from the closest Indonesian island, the city-state is often covered in haze when peatland fires occur. When haze strikes, a number of measures are generally taken by the Singaporean government to reduce citizen exposure. In 2016, schools were closed, events cancelled, and trading activities delayed. Meanwhile, political pressure was placed on the companies related to the fires, with legal accountability enforced, as stated in the ASEAN Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014.4 Other companies, such as Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd, have taken another approach, offering grants to villages in Indonesia who manage to stay fire-free.5 Citizen scientist: Leslie in Singapore Of the 6 monitoring stations reported by AirVisual that cover the country’s 720km2, one is a public outdoor AirVisual Pro belonging to engaged mother Leslie. With young children, Leslie’s first concern was for the health of her family: “I was worried about the potential harm it would cause young children if they spent too much time in conditions I wasn’t able to quantify.” For Leslie, quantifying pollution levels is important for knowing how best to respond. Finding that her home was relatively far from government stations, and that the government reports these values via Singapore’s own PSI (Pollutant Standard Index) system based on 3-hour averages, Leslie wanted more responsive and representative air quality monitoring around her home. Since outdoor air pollution levels can be unpredictable, for Leslie, it was important “to know if [she] could take the kids to play at the local playground or go exercise outside.” While the primary motivation for establishing a monitoring station in Minton was for her family, Leslie is now able to provide her broader community access to the same readings she gains so much value from. Giving access to air quality data is the first step towards better protection and a healthier life: she believes that “educated, knowledgeable communities are key to making positive change in the world, particularly when it comes to the environment.” Having discussed with other families concerned about air quality, she decided to install her AirVisual Pro outside her condo, so that the outdoor data collected could be a benefit to many others. “Devices like AirVisual Pro empower communities to make change, based on hard facts”, Leslie believes. The data, she says, has helped friends and neighbors become more aware and proactive in responding to air quality changes. Today, there is peace of mind in knowing, rather than speculating, her family's personal exposure risk. Interested to set up your own local AirVisual Pro network, and put your community on the map with data and recommendations tailored to your specific environment? Find out how to become an outdoor data contributor.","

Since its independence from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore has grown to become one of the most economically successful countries in the world, despite its small size.

Its strategic location at the southern tip of Malaysia, and between key trade flows from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, has contributed to making it one of the largest ports in all of Asia, second only to Shanghai.¹

Whilst the country benefits from its close proximity to larger countries, it can also be subject to influence from their emissions.

Today, the country’s trade, transport, and petroleum activities only contribute to 0.11% of the world’s carbon emissions, yet local residents occasionally do suffer long stretches of poor air quality due to land and forest fires occurring in nearby Indonesia, a seasonal practice used by farmers to turn wildland into peatland ready for farming.²

But these emissions generated by this traditional farming practice are no small amount.

For context, in 2015, concentrations went above 300ug/m³, corresponding to a US AQI of 350 (well above the 301 “Hazardous\" threshold). In roughly three weeks’ time, 2 million hectares of land were burnt and 600m tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions released — roughly Germany’s annual output.³

Why does Singapore air quality get so bad?

With only dozens of kilometers separating Singapore from the closest Indonesian island, the city-state is often covered in haze when peatland fires occur. When haze strikes, a number of measures are generally taken by the Singaporean government to reduce citizen exposure.

In 2016, schools were closed, events cancelled, and trading activities delayed. Meanwhile, political pressure was placed on the companies related to the fires, with legal accountability enforced, as stated in the ASEAN Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014.⁴

Other companies, such as Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd, have taken another approach, offering grants to villages in Indonesia who manage to stay fire-free.⁵

Citizen scientist: Leslie in Singapore

Of the 6 monitoring stations reported by AirVisual that cover the country’s 720km², one is a public outdoor AirVisual Pro belonging to engaged mother Leslie.

With young children, Leslie’s first concern was for the health of her family: “I was worried about the potential harm it would cause young children if they spent too much time in conditions I wasn’t able to quantify.”

For Leslie, quantifying pollution levels is important for knowing how best to respond. Finding that her home was relatively far from government stations, and that the government reports these values via Singapore’s own PSI (Pollutant Standard Index) system based on 3-hour averages, Leslie wanted more responsive and representative air quality monitoring around her home.

Since outdoor air pollution levels can be unpredictable, for Leslie, it was important “to know if [she] could take the kids to play at the local playground or go exercise outside.”

While the primary motivation for establishing a monitoring station in Minton was for her family, Leslie is now able to provide her broader community access to the same readings she gains so much value from.

Giving access to air quality data is the first step towards better protection and a healthier life: she believes that “educated, knowledgeable communities are key to making positive change in the world, particularly when it comes to the environment.”

Having discussed with other families concerned about air quality, she decided to install her AirVisual Pro outside her condo, so that the outdoor data collected could be a benefit to many others.

“Devices like AirVisual Pro empower communities to make change, based on hard facts”, Leslie believes.

The data, she says, has helped friends and neighbors become more aware and proactive in responding to air quality changes. Today, there is peace of mind in knowing, rather than speculating, her family's personal exposure risk.

Interested to set up your own local AirVisual Pro network, and put your community on the map with data and recommendations tailored to your specific environment?

Find out how to become an outdoor data contributor.

","revealing-the-invisible-leslie-in-singapore","gid://shopify/Article/606885380395","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-leslie-in-singapore","2017-07-06T17:24:39Z",[390,648],"Revealing the Invisible: Leslie in Singapore",{"_10":1218,"_243":1219,"_246":1220,"_248":1170,"_244":1171},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406052143478","Pollution blowing over Singapore.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/2017-07-06_20indonesia_20fires_20satellite_20view_20-2_cropped.jpg?v=1750759248",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1222,"_1115":1223,"_1131":1224,"_1133":1224,"_1134":1225,"_1136":1226,"_985":1227,"_10":1228,"_1140":1229,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1230,"_577":1231,"_541":1232,"_1147":1233},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"We start in Mexico, where clean air enthusiast Raul has implemented a network of six Node air monitoring stations spanning Monterrey to Mexico City in an effort to increase local air quality awareness.","In less than a year, the AirVisual Node has been deployed as an outdoor air monitoring station in more than 20 countries, for some of which Nodes are the only data source. Citizens have chosen to take their local air quality into their own hands around the globe - discover where and why! In May 2017, Mexico City suffered the longest spell of dangerous air pollution in decades. A phase I alert was declared by the Mexican government on May 14th, and remained for six days; a record since 1998. With daily US AQI averages over 160 (that’s firmly into the ‘Unhealthy’ range of the scale), increased restrictions were placed on heavy-emitting vehicle usage and sensitive groups were advised to remain indoors.With 21 million inhabitants, congested roads, and a geographical location in the basin of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, it is not uncommon for the city to experience high levels of pollution. During its industrial and residential expansion in the 80s, bringing a surge of new vehicles and factories, the Mexican capital entered a well-known struggle against the resulting poor air quality conditions.Snapshot from above capturing a thick haze hanging over Mexico CitySince then, the government has implemented many drastic measures to improve air quality, which have greatly improved the situation. New initiatives from driving restrictions, like “Hoy No Circula” (No-drive days), to improved public transport, may have helped reduce average PM2.5 concentrations, but most people are still largely unaware of the harms still present in the air.Raul, an active air quality enthusiast in Mexico, has deployed 6 public AirVisual Node air pollution monitors to help raise awareness of local air pollution. According to Raul, many Mexican citizens know that the air is polluted, but often underestimate the severity of the problem and associated health risks.It’s not until you have numbers and graphs that people really understand the magnitude of the problem. Raul saw that many people were not associating their physical symptoms of breathing polluted air with its invisible source. Part of his goal in raising this hazard’s visibility with live PM2.5 readings, measured by the Nodes, is to help ‘make people aware that allergies and dry throats are not normal’, but a consequence of high pollution, and encourage people to take proactive measures to reduce their exposure.When they see the charts, then they start to correlate their illness with pollution. Raul’s 6 Node contribution across Monterrey and Mexico city can be seen on AirVisual’s AQI world map, followed on the app, or linked to below:Monterrey Cumbras Mitras Raul’s Monterrey Node network Mexico City Coapa Las Aguilas Coyoacan Iztacalco Raul’s Mexico City Node Network, now reporting alongside Mexico’s official monitoring stations Raul believes providing people in his community with real-time data will help to change daily habits and encourage more proactive measures against airborne dangers. Many are already using AirVisual's free air quality app to check the localized data, backed by the monitors.On a day-to-day basis, Raul finds that the Nodes help to stay “aware of pollution levels and be prepared for the day”. When air quality is poor, Raul checks his app frequently and uses his alert notifications to take appropriate precautions.Raul and one of his six Nodes - Hi Raul! Interested to set up your own local Node network, and put your community on the map with data and recommendations tailored to your specific environment?Find out: how to become an outdoor data contributor..","

In less than a year, the AirVisual Node has been deployed as an outdoor air monitoring station in more than 20 countries, for some of which Nodes are the only data source. Citizens have chosen to take their local air quality into their own hands around the globe - discover where and why!

In May 2017, Mexico City suffered the longest spell of dangerous air pollution in decades. A phase I alert was declared by the Mexican government on May 14th, and remained for six days; a record since 1998. With daily US AQI averages over 160 (that’s firmly into the ‘Unhealthy’ range of the scale), increased restrictions were placed on heavy-emitting vehicle usage and sensitive groups were advised to remain indoors.

With 21 million inhabitants, congested roads, and a geographical location in the basin of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, it is not uncommon for the city to experience high levels of pollution. During its industrial and residential expansion in the 80s, bringing a surge of new vehicles and factories, the Mexican capital entered a well-known struggle against the resulting poor air quality conditions.

Snapshot from above capturing a thick haze hanging over Mexico City

Since then, the government has implemented many drastic measures to improve air quality, which have greatly improved the situation. New initiatives from driving restrictions, like “Hoy No Circula” (No-drive days), to improved public transport, may have helped reduce average PM2.5 concentrations, but most people are still largely unaware of the harms still present in the air.

Raul, an active air quality enthusiast in Mexico, has deployed 6 public AirVisual Node air pollution monitors to help raise awareness of local air pollution. According to Raul, many Mexican citizens know that the air is polluted, but often underestimate the severity of the problem and associated health risks.

It’s not until you have numbers and graphs that people really understand the magnitude of the problem.

Raul saw that many people were not associating their physical symptoms of breathing polluted air with its invisible source. Part of his goal in raising this hazard’s visibility with live PM2.5 readings, measured by the Nodes, is to help ‘make people aware that allergies and dry throats are not normal’, but a consequence of high pollution, and encourage people to take proactive measures to reduce their exposure.

When they see the charts, then they start to correlate their illness with pollution.

Raul’s 6 Node contribution across Monterrey and Mexico city can be seen on AirVisual’s AQI world map, followed on the app, or linked to below:

Monterrey

Cumbras

Mitras

Raul’s Monterrey Node network

Mexico City

Raul’s Mexico City Node Network, now reporting alongside Mexico’s official monitoring stations

Raul believes providing people in his community with real-time data will help to change daily habits and encourage more proactive measures against airborne dangers. Many are already using AirVisual's free air quality app to check the localized data, backed by the monitors.

On a day-to-day basis, Raul finds that the Nodes help to stay “aware of pollution levels and be prepared for the day”. When air quality is poor, Raul checks his app frequently and uses his alert notifications to take appropriate precautions.

Raul and one of his six Nodes - Hi Raul!

Interested to set up your own local Node network, and put your community on the map with data and recommendations tailored to your specific environment?

Find out: how to become an outdoor data contributor.

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See how Cameroon’s campus-based air quality monitoring is helping students, teachers, and communities make invisible pollution visible.

","In Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, students at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School now have access to something most schools in the country have never had before: real-time air quality data from their own campus. Franky Comprehensive Secondary School is home to Cameroon’s first campus-based real-time air quality monitoring station. This is an important step in a country where public access to pollution data has long been limited. At the time of installation, the station was among a small number of sites in Cameroon providing real-time air quality data—and the first to be installed on a school campus. Why a school was the right place to begin Air pollution is often discussed at the level of cities, countries, or global health reports. But for children, it is also deeply local. It affects the air they breathe on the way to school, during outdoor activities, and throughout the school day. That local reality is one reason the project began on a campus. The installation was carried out through a partnership involving Franky Comprehensive Secondary School and Global Youth Strategy on Air Pollution and Climate Health (GYS). According to Elvis Ndikum, founder and chair of GYS, schools are one of the most effective places to build long-term public awareness around respiratory health. Discussing asthma prevalence among adolescents, he points to air pollution as an environmental hazard that is often overlooked, even though children are especially vulnerable to its effects. Turning invisible pollution into something students can see The AirVisual Outdoor monitor installed at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School provides real-time measurements of PM2.5, PM10, PM1, temperature, and humidity. The campus’s station profile data can be viewed online on IQAir’s live air quality map and mobile app, allowing students, staff, families, and the wider community to follow local air conditions throughout the day. That kind of visibility changes the role air quality plays in school and community life. When students see PM2.5 levels rise on hazy days and drop again after rainfall, air pollution stops being abstract. It becomes something observable and immediate—something that helps explain why some days feel different than others, and why health protection might need to change with conditions. For many students, this may be the first time local air quality has felt tangible. It also creates a local baseline of publicly visible air quality data—something that can support awareness now and stronger health and policy conversations over time. Filling a major monitoring gap in Cameroon Cameroon has a population of roughly 29 million people, yet public access to real-time air quality monitoring has historically been very limited. That makes it harder for communities to understand exposure risks, for researchers to build evidence, and for decision-makers to respond effectively. In that context, the new campus station is significant far beyond the school itself. It adds a new source of publicly visible data in a country where monitoring coverage remains sparse—and where limited data can make pollution risks harder to quantify and address. The project shows how local organizations and educational institutions can help close critical data gaps—not only by hosting equipment, but by making air quality part of community awareness. In doing so, the project helps build a stronger culture of attention around air quality and respiratory health. The local partnership driving the project The project’s strength lies in its core collaborative partnership. GYS helps position air pollution not just as an environmental topic, but as a youth and public-health issue. Franky Comprehensive Secondary School provides a place where monitoring can directly support awareness, learning, and daily decision-making. Together, they have created a model that shows what school-based air quality visibility can look like in practice, connecting local public-health awareness with broader efforts to expand access to air quality data. A first step with wider meaning The station at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School is an important first step, but its significance lies in what it could lead to next. As more schools gain access to monitoring, the benefits can extend outward: stronger awareness, more localized data, better public understanding, and a clearer picture of air quality over time. For Cameroon, this project shows that even a single campus installation can begin to shift how communities understand the air around them. That matters because the first step in responding to air pollution is often the same everywhere: making local conditions visible. Conclusion Cameroon’s first campus air quality monitor shows how local leadership can turn air pollution from an unseen risk into something communities can observe, understand, and respond to. The installation is part of IQAir’s Schools4Earth initiative to expand access to air quality monitoring in educational communities. Through Schools4Earth, IQAir supports school-based monitoring projects that help students and teachers understand local air quality conditions while contributing to broader public visibility. In Cameroon, that framework helped support a project already rooted in local health awareness and community engagement. At Franky Comprehensive Secondary School, students and teachers now have access to real-time air quality information in a setting where that knowledge can shape awareness early and locally. The project highlights the role schools can play not only in education, but also in building the public-health visibility that stronger air quality action requires.","

In Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, students at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School now have access to something most schools in the country have never had before: real-time air quality data from their own campus.

Franky Comprehensive Secondary School is home to Cameroon’s first campus-based real-time air quality monitoring station. This is an important step in a country where public access to pollution data has long been limited. At the time of installation, the station was among a small number of sites in Cameroon providing real-time air quality data—and the first to be installed on a school campus.

Why a school was the right place to begin

Air pollution is often discussed at the level of cities, countries, or global health reports. But for children, it is also deeply local. It affects the air they breathe on the way to school, during outdoor activities, and throughout the school day. That local reality is one reason the project began on a campus.

The installation was carried out through a partnership involving Franky Comprehensive Secondary School and Global Youth Strategy on Air Pollution and Climate Health (GYS).

According to Elvis Ndikum, founder and chair of GYS, schools are one of the most effective places to build long-term public awareness around respiratory health. Discussing asthma prevalence among adolescents, he points to air pollution as an environmental hazard that is often overlooked, even though children are especially vulnerable to its effects.

Turning invisible pollution into something students can see

The AirVisual Outdoor monitor installed at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School provides real-time measurements of PM2.5, PM10, PM1, temperature, and humidity.

The campus’s station profile data can be viewed online on IQAir’s live air quality map and mobile app, allowing students, staff, families, and the wider community to follow local air conditions throughout the day.

That kind of visibility changes the role air quality plays in school and community life. When students see PM2.5 levels rise on hazy days and drop again after rainfall, air pollution stops being abstract. It becomes something observable and immediate—something that helps explain why some days feel different than others, and why health protection might need to change with conditions.

For many students, this may be the first time local air quality has felt tangible. It also creates a local baseline of publicly visible air quality data—something that can support awareness now and stronger health and policy conversations over time.

Filling a major monitoring gap in Cameroon

Cameroon has a population of roughly 29 million people, yet public access to real-time air quality monitoring has historically been very limited. That makes it harder for communities to understand exposure risks, for researchers to build evidence, and for decision-makers to respond effectively.

In that context, the new campus station is significant far beyond the school itself. It adds a new source of publicly visible data in a country where monitoring coverage remains sparse—and where limited data can make pollution risks harder to quantify and address.

The project shows how local organizations and educational institutions can help close critical data gaps—not only by hosting equipment, but by making air quality part of community awareness. In doing so, the project helps build a stronger culture of attention around air quality and respiratory health.

The local partnership driving the project

The project’s strength lies in its core collaborative partnership. GYS helps position air pollution not just as an environmental topic, but as a youth and public-health issue. Franky Comprehensive Secondary School provides a place where monitoring can directly support awareness, learning, and daily decision-making. Together, they have created a model that shows what school-based air quality visibility can look like in practice, connecting local public-health awareness with broader efforts to expand access to air quality data.

A first step with wider meaning

The station at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School is an important first step, but its significance lies in what it could lead to next.

As more schools gain access to monitoring, the benefits can extend outward: stronger awareness, more localized data, better public understanding, and a clearer picture of air quality over time. For Cameroon, this project shows that even a single campus installation can begin to shift how communities understand the air around them.

That matters because the first step in responding to air pollution is often the same everywhere: making local conditions visible.

Conclusion

Cameroon’s first campus air quality monitor shows how local leadership can turn air pollution from an unseen risk into something communities can observe, understand, and respond to.

The installation is part of IQAir’s Schools4Earth initiative to expand access to air quality monitoring in educational communities. Through Schools4Earth, IQAir supports school-based monitoring projects that help students and teachers understand local air quality conditions while contributing to broader public visibility. In Cameroon, that framework helped support a project already rooted in local health awareness and community engagement.

At Franky Comprehensive Secondary School, students and teachers now have access to real-time air quality information in a setting where that knowledge can shape awareness early and locally. The project highlights the role schools can play not only in education, but also in building the public-health visibility that stronger air quality action requires.

","revealing-the-invisible-campus-air-quality-monitoring-cameroon","gid://shopify/Article/1000900952438","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-campus-air-quality-monitoring-cameroon","2026-04-22T17:38:02Z",[643,1268,648],"Featured articles","Revealing the Invisible: Campus air quality monitoring in Cameroon",{"_10":1271,"_243":-5,"_246":1272,"_248":1273,"_244":1274},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414739464566","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/A_88a6fab2-72f4-4a7d-89e3-e1e4587baadc.jpg?v=1776879489",839,674,{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1276,"_1115":1277,"_1131":1278,"_1133":1279,"_1134":1280,"_1136":1281,"_985":1282,"_10":1283,"_1140":1284,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1285,"_577":1286,"_541":1287,"_1147":1288},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Find out whether running an air purifier all day is necessary, safe, and worth it for cleaner indoor air.","

Find out whether running an air purifier all day is necessary, safe, and worth it for cleaner indoor air.

","In most cases, yes. If your goal is to reduce all and any exposure to air pollution, running an air purifier throughout the day is the most effective approach. That’s because indoor air pollution is not a one-time event. Dust settles and gets stirred up again, cooking releases particles and gases, outdoor pollution seeps indoors, and people and pets continuously add new pollutants to the air. Running your air purifier continuously is one of the most effective ways to reduce many common airborne pollutants, including dust, allergens, smoke particles, some airborne microbes carried in droplets or aerosols, and—if the purifier includes the right gas-phase media—certain odors and VOCs. Modern air purifiers are generally designed for continuous operation. Many models also include quieter settings, automatic modes, or smart sensors that help balance air cleaning with energy use and noise. Why continuous operation is best for air quality Indoor air can contain higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air, due to poor ventilation, off-gassing from furniture and cleaning products, pet dander, and outdoor pollution seeping indoors. Even after you clean a room once, new pollutants keep entering and forming—so turning a purifier off for long stretches often means you’re letting the room “reload.” Unlike intermittent use, which allows pollutants to accumulate between cycles, all-day operation ensures that contaminants like PM2.5 – particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller – are constantly filtered out, providing consistent protection. This is especially true in urban areas, near busy roads, or during wildfire and high-pollution events. Energy, noise, and maintenance considerations Running an air purifier all day does use electricity, but many modern units are designed to do so efficiently—especially on lower or auto settings. In real life, operating cost depends on the model, fan speed, and how many hours per day it runs. Noise also matters. Most high-quality purifiers are quiet enough for everyday use on lower settings, which is why many people run them continuously in bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices. During smoke events or high-pollution periods, a higher fan speed may be worth the extra sound because it helps reduce particle levels more quickly. Continuous use can also mean filters load faster. That’s normal. The tradeoff is straightforward: more run time usually means cleaner air, but also more consistent maintenance. The best approach is to follow the manufacturer’s replacement guidance or filter-life indicator rather than guessing. When you might adjust your approach While all-day use is ideal, there are a few scenarios where you might adjust: Low-pollution periods: If outdoor air quality is excellent and your home is well-ventilated, you can run the purifier intermittently or use an automated mode to conserve energy. Unoccupied rooms: If a room is rarely used, you can turn the purifier off or set it to a lower fan speed. Budget constraints: If energy use is a concern, prioritize the rooms where you spend the most time—especially bedrooms and main living spaces—and use lower or automatic settings when pollution levels are lower. Best practices for all-day air purifier use For best results, place your air purifier where air can move freely around it and avoid blocking it with furniture or walls. In bedrooms, many people prefer to place the unit a few feet from the bed, so the airflow isn’t directed straight at them. If your air purifier has an automatic or smart mode, use it. These settings can raise fan speed when pollution increases and lower it when air is cleaner, helping balance performance, noise, and energy use. During wildfire smoke or heavy outdoor pollution, keep windows and doors closed so you’re not constantly pulling new contaminants into the room. And to maintain performance over time, replace filters according to the manufacturer’s guidance or the system’s filter-life indicator. Frequently Asked Questions Is it safe to run an air purifier all day?Yes, most modern filtration-based air purifiers are designed for continuous operation. Choose a model that does not intentionally generate ozone, keep airflow unobstructed, and follow routine maintenance guidance to keep performance steady. Will running an air purifier all day increase my electricity bill?The impact is usually minimal. Energy-efficient air purifiers often cost only a few dollars per month to run continuously, and automatic or smart modes can further reduce energy use by lowering fan speed as needed. Can I run an air purifier in my bedroom overnight?Yes. Many people run air purifiers overnight, often on a lower or quieter setting. Place the unit a few feet from the bed to avoid direct airflow and minimize noise disruption. Do I need to run an air purifier if I have good ventilation?Even with good ventilation, indoor air can still contain pollutants from cooking, cleaning, pets, and outdoor sources. An air purifier adds an extra layer of protection, especially in urban or high-traffic areas. Conclusion If you want your indoor air to stay cleaner, it usually makes sense to leave your air purifier on throughout the day. Indoor pollution is constantly entering, forming, and being stirred back into the air—even when a room looks clean. For most households, the best strategy is simple: run the purifier consistently, place it well, maintain the filters, and increase fan speed during smoke, traffic, or other high-pollution periods. Clean air is easiest to maintain when you treat it as an ongoing condition—not a one-time fix.","

In most cases, yes. If your goal is to reduce all and any exposure to air pollution, running an air purifier throughout the day is the most effective approach.

That’s because indoor air pollution is not a one-time event. Dust settles and gets stirred up again, cooking releases particles and gases, outdoor pollution seeps indoors, and people and pets continuously add new pollutants to the air. Running your air purifier continuously is one of the most effective ways to reduce many common airborne pollutants, including dust, allergens, smoke particles, some airborne microbes carried in droplets or aerosols, and—if the purifier includes the right gas-phase media—certain odors and VOCs.

Modern air purifiers are generally designed for continuous operation. Many models also include quieter settings, automatic modes, or smart sensors that help balance air cleaning with energy use and noise.

Why continuous operation is best for air quality

Indoor air can contain higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air, due to poor ventilation, off-gassing from furniture and cleaning products, pet dander, and outdoor pollution seeping indoors. Even after you clean a room once, new pollutants keep entering and forming—so turning a purifier off for long stretches often means you’re letting the room “reload.”

Unlike intermittent use, which allows pollutants to accumulate between cycles, all-day operation ensures that contaminants like PM2.5 – particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller – are constantly filtered out, providing consistent protection. This is especially true in urban areas, near busy roads, or during wildfire and high-pollution events.

Energy, noise, and maintenance considerations

Running an air purifier all day does use electricity, but many modern units are designed to do so efficiently—especially on lower or auto settings. In real life, operating cost depends on the model, fan speed, and how many hours per day it runs.

Noise also matters. Most high-quality purifiers are quiet enough for everyday use on lower settings, which is why many people run them continuously in bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices. During smoke events or high-pollution periods, a higher fan speed may be worth the extra sound because it helps reduce particle levels more quickly.

Continuous use can also mean filters load faster. That’s normal. The tradeoff is straightforward: more run time usually means cleaner air, but also more consistent maintenance. The best approach is to follow the manufacturer’s replacement guidance or filter-life indicator rather than guessing.

When you might adjust your approach

While all-day use is ideal, there are a few scenarios where you might adjust:

\nLow-pollution periods: If outdoor air quality is excellent and your home is well-ventilated, you can run the purifier intermittently or use an automated mode to conserve energy.
\nUnoccupied rooms: If a room is rarely used, you can turn the purifier off or set it to a lower fan speed.
\nBudget constraints: If energy use is a concern, prioritize the rooms where you spend the most time—especially bedrooms and main living spaces—and use lower or automatic settings when pollution levels are lower.
\n

Best practices for all-day air purifier use

For best results, place your air purifier where air can move freely around it and avoid blocking it with furniture or walls. In bedrooms, many people prefer to place the unit a few feet from the bed, so the airflow isn’t directed straight at them.

If your air purifier has an automatic or smart mode, use it. These settings can raise fan speed when pollution increases and lower it when air is cleaner, helping balance performance, noise, and energy use.

During wildfire smoke or heavy outdoor pollution, keep windows and doors closed so you’re not constantly pulling new contaminants into the room. And to maintain performance over time, replace filters according to the manufacturer’s guidance or the system’s filter-life indicator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to run an air purifier all day?
Yes, most modern filtration-based air purifiers are designed for continuous operation. Choose a model that does not intentionally generate ozone, keep airflow unobstructed, and follow routine maintenance guidance to keep performance steady.

Will running an air purifier all day increase my electricity bill?
The impact is usually minimal. Energy-efficient air purifiers often cost only a few dollars per month to run continuously, and automatic or smart modes can further reduce energy use by lowering fan speed as needed.

Can I run an air purifier in my bedroom overnight?
Yes. Many people run air purifiers overnight, often on a lower or quieter setting. Place the unit a few feet from the bed to avoid direct airflow and minimize noise disruption.

Do I need to run an air purifier if I have good ventilation?
Even with good ventilation, indoor air can still contain pollutants from cooking, cleaning, pets, and outdoor sources. An air purifier adds an extra layer of protection, especially in urban or high-traffic areas.

Conclusion

If you want your indoor air to stay cleaner, it usually makes sense to leave your air purifier on throughout the day. Indoor pollution is constantly entering, forming, and being stirred back into the air—even when a room looks clean.

For most households, the best strategy is simple: run the purifier consistently, place it well, maintain the filters, and increase fan speed during smoke, traffic, or other high-pollution periods. Clean air is easiest to maintain when you treat it as an ongoing condition—not a one-time fix.

","should-you-leave-an-air-purifier-on-all-day","gid://shopify/Article/1000802746742","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/should-you-leave-an-air-purifier-on-all-day","2026-04-21T06:00:00Z",[853,1268],"Should you leave an air purifier on all day?",{"_10":1289,"_243":1290,"_246":1291,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414733304182","Air purifer in living room","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/ShouldYouLeaveAirPurifierOn_Desk_3056c115-415f-48a5-a861-e48d89427895.jpg?v=1776870059","latest",[1294,1311,1328,1344,1361,1378],{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1295,"_1115":1296,"_1131":1297,"_1133":1298,"_1134":1299,"_1136":1300,"_985":1301,"_10":1302,"_1140":1303,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1304,"_577":1305,"_541":1307,"_1147":1308},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Wildfires spread across Brantley County in Georgia, burning structures and causing road closures. Learn more about what is causing the Georgia wildfires.","

Wildfires spread across Brantley County in Georgia, burning structures and causing road closures. Learn more about what is causing the Georgia wildfires.

","What is the name and location of the wildfire? On April 24, 2026, the Brantley Highway 82 Fire is burning in southeastern region of Georgia, neighboring the northern Florida border. The fire is located just off U.S. Highway 82 near the Brantley County line, bordering Glynn County and spreading into Camden County (1)(2). Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire? The Brantley Highway 82 wildfire has spread across multiple highways, neighborhoods, and communities, including (3)(4): Atkinson Waynesville Happy Hollow U.S. Highway 82 area, from Nahunta to Post Road Highway 110 West, near Camden County line Highway 259, near Camden County line What is the current containment status of the Brantley Highway 82 Fire? On April 24, 2026, the Brantley Highway 82 Fires has burned approximately 7,567 acres and is about 15% contained. Brantley County, Glynn County, and Effingham County Fire Rescue teams have been working together to contain the wildfire and stop the spread to neighboring communities. Glynn County issued a temporary outdoor burn ban, prohibiting outdoor fires ignited by residents such as fireworks and bonfire pits, to prevent additional wildfires (5)(6). Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? Mandatory evacuation orders for several neighborhoods and communities have been issued all throughout Brantley County, including Happy Hollow, Hawks Landing, and Drury Court. Those needing to evacuate are directed to use Highway 32 for safety. Various neighboring cities are on wildfire watch as winds continue to carry smoke throughout the state. On April 22, 2026, all Brantley County schools were closed due to the wildfire breaching containment. Shelters are open to the public through various churches in the Nahunta and Hortense region, providing food and water to locals in need. Residents in neighboring cities on wildfire watch alert are advised to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and monitor fire updates and alerts (7). How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. On April 24, 2026, this fire is 15% contained.","

What is the name and location of the wildfire?

On April 24, 2026, the Brantley Highway 82 Fire is burning in southeastern region of Georgia, neighboring the northern Florida border.

The fire is located just off U.S. Highway 82 near the Brantley County line, bordering Glynn County and spreading into Camden County (1)(2).

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The Brantley Highway 82 wildfire has spread across multiple highways, neighborhoods, and communities, including (3)(4):

Atkinson
Waynesville
Happy Hollow
U.S. Highway 82 area, from Nahunta to Post Road
Highway 110 West, near Camden County line
Highway 259, near Camden County line

What is the current containment status of the Brantley Highway 82 Fire?

On April 24, 2026, the Brantley Highway 82 Fires has burned approximately 7,567 acres and is about 15% contained.

Brantley County, Glynn County, and Effingham County Fire Rescue teams have been working together to contain the wildfire and stop the spread to neighboring communities. Glynn County issued a temporary outdoor burn ban, prohibiting outdoor fires ignited by residents such as fireworks and bonfire pits, to prevent additional wildfires (5)(6).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Mandatory evacuation orders for several neighborhoods and communities have been issued all throughout Brantley County, including Happy Hollow, Hawks Landing, and Drury Court. Those needing to evacuate are directed to use Highway 32 for safety. Various neighboring cities are on wildfire watch as winds continue to carry smoke throughout the state.

On April 22, 2026, all Brantley County schools were closed due to the wildfire breaching containment. Shelters are open to the public through various churches in the Nahunta and Hortense region, providing food and water to locals in need. Residents in neighboring cities on wildfire watch alert are advised to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and monitor fire updates and alerts (7).

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.\n

On April 24, 2026, this fire is 15% contained.

","wildfire-map-spotlight-brantley-highway-82-fire-georgia","gid://shopify/Article/1001165488502","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/wildfire-map-spotlight-brantley-highway-82-fire-georgia","2026-04-24T14:30:39Z",[390,638,1306],"Wildfires","Wildfire Map Spotlight: Brantley Highway 82 Fire, Georgia",{"_10":1309,"_243":-5,"_246":1310,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414818664822","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Wildfire2Desktop_a1a81ad2-9e56-4c3c-bae2-aa589175f7ed.jpg?v=1777041247",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1312,"_1115":1313,"_1131":1314,"_1133":1315,"_1134":1316,"_1136":1317,"_985":1318,"_10":1319,"_1140":1320,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1321,"_577":1322,"_541":1323,"_1147":1324},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Find out more about the Pressey Fire burning near Oconto in central Nebraska, including affected areas, containment efforts, and emergency updates.","

Find out more about the Pressey Fire burning near Oconto in central Nebraska, including affected areas, containment efforts, and emergency updates.

","What is the name and location of the wildfire? As of April 24, 2026, the Pressey Fire is active in Pressey Park near Oconto in Custer County, Nebraska. The fire is located north of Oconto along Highway 21 in central Nebraska and has impacted areas surrounding Pressey Park. Emergency crews remain focused on protecting nearby communities, property, and critical infrastructure as firefighting operations continue (1). Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire? The cities and areas affected by the Pressey Fire include: Custer County Oconto Pressey Park Surrounding areas along Highway 21 What is the current containment status of the Pressey Fire? As of April 24, 2026, the Pressey Fire remains at 0% containment and has burned 8,953 acres. More than 130 personnel are actively working around the clock to contain the fire, with additional resources continuing to arrive. Support efforts include two Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting bucket drops, along with a National Guard hand crew assisting firefighters on the ground (2). Officials also reported that one home and several outbuildings have been destroyed, while the cause of the wildfire remains under investigation (3). Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? No evacuation orders have been issued, but officials are strongly urging residents and visitors to avoid the Pressey Park area near Oconto to allow emergency responders to safely continue firefighting operations. How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. As of April 24, 2026, this fire is 0% contained.","

What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of April 24, 2026, the Pressey Fire is active in Pressey Park near Oconto in Custer County, Nebraska. The fire is located north of Oconto along Highway 21 in central Nebraska and has impacted areas surrounding Pressey Park.

Emergency crews remain focused on protecting nearby communities, property, and critical infrastructure as firefighting operations continue (1).

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The cities and areas affected by the Pressey Fire include:

Custer County
Oconto
Pressey Park
Surrounding areas along Highway 21

What is the current containment status of the Pressey Fire?

As of April 24, 2026, the Pressey Fire remains at 0% containment and has burned 8,953 acres.

More than 130 personnel are actively working around the clock to contain the fire, with additional resources continuing to arrive. Support efforts include two Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting bucket drops, along with a National Guard hand crew assisting firefighters on the ground (2).

Officials also reported that one home and several outbuildings have been destroyed, while the cause of the wildfire remains under investigation (3).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

No evacuation orders have been issued, but officials are strongly urging residents and visitors to avoid the Pressey Park area near Oconto to allow emergency responders to safely continue firefighting operations.

\n\n

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.\n

As of April 24, 2026, this fire is 0% contained.

","wildfire-map-spotlight-pressey-fire-central-nebraska","gid://shopify/Article/1001196618102","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/wildfire-map-spotlight-pressey-fire-central-nebraska","2026-04-24T10:40:51Z",[390,638,663,1306],"Wildfire Map Spotlight: Pressey Fire, Central Nebraska",{"_10":1325,"_243":1326,"_246":1327,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414807687542","massive wildfire spreading through a forest","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Wildfire1Desktop_3a9a8879-4919-4a46-9079-6e33ce45802d.jpg?v=1777027763",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1329,"_1115":1330,"_1131":1331,"_1133":1332,"_1134":1333,"_1136":1334,"_985":1335,"_10":1336,"_1140":1337,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1338,"_577":1339,"_541":1340,"_1147":1341},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Southeast Asia grapples with unhealthy air pollution, affecting major cities and public health. Learn more about the impacted regions, underlying causes, and expected improvements.","

Southeast Asia grapples with unhealthy air pollution, affecting major cities and public health. Learn more about the impacted regions, underlying causes, and expected improvements.

","Is the air quality good in Southeast Asia? On April 24, 2026, air quality across Southeast Asia remains poor, with some of the major cities experiencing air quality in the \"unhealthy\" range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly. By 5:00 PM (local time, UTC+7), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 200, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors. While conditions remain variable, Southeast Asia’s average PM2.5 levels in 2025 continued to exceed WHO guidelines across the region. Indonesia recorded around 30 µg/m³, about six times the guideline, while Vietnam reached 29.7 µg/m³, or 5.9 times higher. Myanmar and Laos measured 4.7 and 4.5 times the limit, respectively, while Thailand and Cambodia were each about 3.6 times above, underscoring persistent regional air quality challenges. Air quality map of Southeast Asia and neighboring countries as of 5:00 PM (local time) on April 24, 2026. Source: IQAir. When will the air quality improve in Southeast Asia? As of April 24, 2026, several major cities across Southeast Asia are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include: Chiang Mai, Thailand Chiang Rai, Thailand Lampang, Thailand Luang Prabang, Laos Phitsanulok, Thailand Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see Southeast Asia air quality map. Chiang Mai ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of 5:00 PM (local time) on April 24, 2026. Source: IQAir. When will air quality improve in Southeast Asia? Conditions usually begin to improve in late April as weather patterns shift and the rainy season approaches, with rainfall and increased atmospheric mixing helping to disperse smoke particles and reduce PM2.5 concentrations. By Songkran in mid-April, air quality in northern Thailand typically clears, though the pattern of \"fine one day, hazardous the next\" persists until monsoon rains provide more sustained relief. For maritime Southeast Asia, the dry season runs through October, meaning improvement there depends on the onset of the northeast monsoon. Lasting regional progress requires coordinated cross-border emission controls and a transition away from open burning practices (1). What is causing poor air quality in Southeast Asia? Southeast Asia experiences two distinct burning seasons each year, with mainland countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam affected from November through May, while more equatorial maritime nations including Indonesia and Malaysia face peak fire activity from June through October (2).; Biomass burning accounts for approximately 48% of annual average PM2.5 concentrations across mainland Southeast Asia, with forest fires, shrubland fires, and crop residue burning peaking in March when monthly average PM2.5 reaches 45 µg/m³. Indonesia is the major contributor to transboundary haze across the region, as combustion of biomass and organic peat soil generates large volumes of carbonaceous fine particles that are carried by prevailing winds into Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and neighboring countries. Urban sources including vehicle emissions, coal-fired power generation, and industrial activity add to the pollution burden year-round (3). How can I protect myself from poor air quality? Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.","

Is the air quality good in Southeast Asia?

On April 24, 2026, air quality across Southeast Asia remains poor, with some of the major cities experiencing air quality in the \"unhealthy\" range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.

By 5:00 PM (local time, UTC+7), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 200, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.

While conditions remain variable, Southeast Asia’s average PM2.5 levels in 2025 continued to exceed WHO guidelines across the region. Indonesia recorded around 30 µg/m³, about six times the guideline, while Vietnam reached 29.7 µg/m³, or 5.9 times higher. Myanmar and Laos measured 4.7 and 4.5 times the limit, respectively, while Thailand and Cambodia were each about 3.6 times above, underscoring persistent regional air quality challenges.

$\"\"$ Air quality map of Southeast Asia and neighboring countries as of 5:00 PM (local time) on April 24, 2026. Source: IQAir.

When will the air quality improve in Southeast Asia?

As of April 24, 2026, several major cities across Southeast Asia are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include:

\nChiang Mai, Thailand
\nChiang Rai, Thailand
\nLampang, Thailand
\nLuang Prabang, Laos
\nPhitsanulok, Thailand

Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see Southeast Asia air quality map.

$\"\"$ Chiang Mai ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of 5:00 PM (local time) on April 24, 2026. Source: IQAir.

When will air quality improve in Southeast Asia?

Conditions usually begin to improve in late April as weather patterns shift and the rainy season approaches, with rainfall and increased atmospheric mixing helping to disperse smoke particles and reduce PM2.5 concentrations.

By Songkran in mid-April, air quality in northern Thailand typically clears, though the pattern of \"fine one day, hazardous the next\" persists until monsoon rains provide more sustained relief.

For maritime Southeast Asia, the dry season runs through October, meaning improvement there depends on the onset of the northeast monsoon. Lasting regional progress requires coordinated cross-border emission controls and a transition away from open burning practices (1).

What is causing poor air quality in Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asia experiences two distinct burning seasons each year, with mainland countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam affected from November through May, while more equatorial maritime nations including Indonesia and Malaysia face peak fire activity from June through October (2).;

Biomass burning accounts for approximately 48% of annual average PM2.5 concentrations across mainland Southeast Asia, with forest fires, shrubland fires, and crop residue burning peaking in March when monthly average PM2.5 reaches 45 µg/m³.

Indonesia is the major contributor to transboundary haze across the region, as combustion of biomass and organic peat soil generates large volumes of carbonaceous fine particles that are carried by prevailing winds into Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and neighboring countries. Urban sources including vehicle emissions, coal-fired power generation, and industrial activity add to the pollution burden year-round (3).

How can I protect myself from poor air quality?

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.\n
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.

","southeast-asia-air-quality-alert","gid://shopify/Article/1001100673398","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/southeast-asia-air-quality-alert","2026-04-24T10:11:45Z",[390,638],"Southeast Asia Air Quality Alert",{"_10":1342,"_243":-5,"_246":1343,"_248":1273,"_244":1274},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414805197174","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/SoutheastAsia_Fire_Desk_3c24b03f-de67-4da2-9cc3-c86e58b2da6c.jpg?v=1777025511",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1345,"_1115":1346,"_1131":1347,"_1133":1348,"_1134":1349,"_1136":1350,"_985":1351,"_10":1352,"_1140":1353,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1354,"_577":1355,"_541":1356,"_1147":1357},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Find out more about the Pineland Road Fire and its impact on communities in southern Georgia.","

Find out more about the Pineland Road Fire and its impact on communities in southern Georgia.

","What is the name and location of the wildfire? As of April 23, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire is burning in southern Georgia across Clinch and Echols regions. The fire is located approximately 5 miles west of Colon Road and Mud Camp Pineland Road, near Highway 441 and close to the Suwannee River at the boundary between the two regions (1). Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire? The cities and areas affected by the Pineland Road Fire include: Colon Echols region Fargo Highway area Needmore Regions near Headlight Road Regions near Tiger Lake Road Regions near Will Rewis Road and Barnes Road What is the current containment status of the Pineland Road Fire? As of April 23, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire has burned approximately 30,477 acres and is about 10% contained. Firefighting crews continue suppression efforts under challenging conditions, including drought, low humidity, and strong winds (2). Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? Evacuation alerts remain in place for residents living near Highway 441 between Headlight Road and Tiger Lake Road, as well as areas east of Will Rewis Road and Barnes Road. While no mandatory evacuation order has been issued, officials have urged residents to stay prepared to leave quickly if conditions worsen. Emergency alerts have advised residents to monitor updates, prepare essential items, and follow instructions from local authorities as fire behavior may shift rapidly (3). How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. As of April 23, 2026, this fire is 10% contained.","

What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of April 23, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire is burning in southern Georgia across Clinch and Echols regions.

The fire is located approximately 5 miles west of Colon Road and Mud Camp Pineland Road, near Highway 441 and close to the Suwannee River at the boundary between the two regions (1).

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The cities and areas affected by the Pineland Road Fire include:

Colon
Echols region
Fargo Highway area
Needmore
Regions near Headlight Road
Regions near Tiger Lake Road
Regions near Will Rewis Road and Barnes Road

What is the current containment status of the Pineland Road Fire?

As of April 23, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire has burned approximately 30,477 acres and is about 10% contained.

Firefighting crews continue suppression efforts under challenging conditions, including drought, low humidity, and strong winds (2).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Evacuation alerts remain in place for residents living near Highway 441 between Headlight Road and Tiger Lake Road, as well as areas east of Will Rewis Road and Barnes Road.

While no mandatory evacuation order has been issued, officials have urged residents to stay prepared to leave quickly if conditions worsen.

Emergency alerts have advised residents to monitor updates, prepare essential items, and follow instructions from local authorities as fire behavior may shift rapidly (3).

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.\n

As of April 23, 2026, this fire is 10% contained.

","wildfire-map-spotlight-pineland-road-fire-georgia","gid://shopify/Article/1001134391670","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/wildfire-map-spotlight-pineland-road-fire-georgia","2026-04-23T14:45:46Z",[390,638,663,1306],"Wildfire Map Spotlight: Pineland Road Fire, Georgia",{"_10":1358,"_243":1359,"_246":1360,"_248":1273,"_244":1274},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414782783862","Wildfire engulfs a dense forest","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Wildfire9Desktop_dcac3133-2442-4e61-a2e3-e93717d6b653.jpg?v=1776955719",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1362,"_1115":1363,"_1131":1364,"_1133":1365,"_1134":1366,"_1136":1367,"_985":1368,"_10":1369,"_1140":1370,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1371,"_577":1372,"_541":1373,"_1147":1374},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Find out more about the extreme heatwave affecting multiple regions across India as temperatures continue to rise across the country.","

Find out more about the extreme heatwave affecting multiple regions across India as temperatures continue to rise across the country.

","Why is there a heatwave in India? As of April 23, 2026, India is experiencing widespread extreme heat across northern, central, and eastern regions, with Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi reporting dangerously high temperatures (1). According to recent reports, 19 of the world’s 20 hottest cities are currently located in India. Among the hardest-hit locations are Bhagalpur in Bihar, Talcher in Odisha, Asansol in West Bengal, and Medinipur in West Bengal. The current heatwave is being fueled by a combination of weather and climate factors. Strong pre-monsoon solar heating is rapidly warming land surfaces. Cloudless skies are also allowing prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Reduced winter snowfall across the Himalayas and parts of Eurasia has also contributed to higher temperatures by reducing natural cooling effects. At the same time, hot and dry northwesterly winds are suppressing rainfall across large parts of the country. Shifting Pacific Ocean patterns and ENSO-neutral conditions are further weakening cooling weather systems, allowing extreme temperatures to persist for longer periods. Areas near the Himalayan region are also experiencing abnormal warming due to reduced snow cover, while eastern plains near Nepal’s Lumbini region are facing similar extreme heat conditions (2). How long will the heatwave last? The current heat event began intensifying after April 20, 2026, as temperatures rose sharply across multiple regions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heatwave conditions are expected to continue through at least April 26 to April 27 in several states. Some areas may not experience meaningful relief until later in the month as pre-monsoon weather activity increases. Heatwave conditions are expected to persist across: Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana through April 24–25 West Uttar Pradesh through April 23–25 East Uttar Pradesh through April 22–26 Rajasthan through April 24–26 Madhya Pradesh through April 23–26 Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh through April 24–27 Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal through April 22–23 Southern coastal regions, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and coastal Karnataka, are also expected to experience prolonged hot and humid weather conditions (3). Are there any alerts in place? The India Meteorological Department has issued multiple heat-related alerts across affected regions as temperatures continue to rise. Yellow alerts remain in place in several states where heat exposure poses moderate health risks, particularly for children, older adults, and individuals with existing medical conditions. Orange alerts have also been issued in areas facing a higher risk of heat-related illness due to prolonged exposure. Delhi remains under a yellow alert through April 24, while severe heat advisories continue across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of eastern India. At this time, no evacuation orders or emergency shelters have been reported in connection with the heatwave. Health officials are advising residents to take precautions, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, wearing lightweight clothing, and recognizing signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Officials have also warned about unusually warm nighttime temperatures in Delhi, Haryana, Odisha, and Konkan. These warmer nights may increase health risks by limiting the body’s ability to recover from prolonged daytime heat exposure (4).","

Why is there a heatwave in India?

As of April 23, 2026, India is experiencing widespread extreme heat across northern, central, and eastern regions, with Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi reporting dangerously high temperatures (1).

According to recent reports, 19 of the world’s 20 hottest cities are currently located in India. Among the hardest-hit locations are Bhagalpur in Bihar, Talcher in Odisha, Asansol in West Bengal, and Medinipur in West Bengal.

The current heatwave is being fueled by a combination of weather and climate factors. Strong pre-monsoon solar heating is rapidly warming land surfaces. Cloudless skies are also allowing prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Reduced winter snowfall across the Himalayas and parts of Eurasia has also contributed to higher temperatures by reducing natural cooling effects. At the same time, hot and dry northwesterly winds are suppressing rainfall across large parts of the country.

Shifting Pacific Ocean patterns and ENSO-neutral conditions are further weakening cooling weather systems, allowing extreme temperatures to persist for longer periods.

Areas near the Himalayan region are also experiencing abnormal warming due to reduced snow cover, while eastern plains near Nepal’s Lumbini region are facing similar extreme heat conditions (2).

How long will the heatwave last?

The current heat event began intensifying after April 20, 2026, as temperatures rose sharply across multiple regions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heatwave conditions are expected to continue through at least April 26 to April 27 in several states. Some areas may not experience meaningful relief until later in the month as pre-monsoon weather activity increases.

Heatwave conditions are expected to persist across:

\nDelhi, Punjab, and Haryana through April 24–25
West Uttar Pradesh through April 23–25
East Uttar Pradesh through April 22–26
\nRajasthan through April 24–26
\nMadhya Pradesh through April 23–26
Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh through April 24–27
\nBihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal through April 22–23

Southern coastal regions, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and coastal Karnataka, are also expected to experience prolonged hot and humid weather conditions (3).

Are there any alerts in place?

The India Meteorological Department has issued multiple heat-related alerts across affected regions as temperatures continue to rise.

Yellow alerts remain in place in several states where heat exposure poses moderate health risks, particularly for children, older adults, and individuals with existing medical conditions.

Orange alerts have also been issued in areas facing a higher risk of heat-related illness due to prolonged exposure.

Delhi remains under a yellow alert through April 24, while severe heat advisories continue across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of eastern India.

At this time, no evacuation orders or emergency shelters have been reported in connection with the heatwave.

Health officials are advising residents to take precautions, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, wearing lightweight clothing, and recognizing signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Officials have also warned about unusually warm nighttime temperatures in Delhi, Haryana, Odisha, and Konkan. These warmer nights may increase health risks by limiting the body’s ability to recover from prolonged daytime heat exposure (4).

","heatwave-map-spotlight-northern-central-and-eastern-india","gid://shopify/Article/1001168863606","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/heatwave-map-spotlight-northern-central-and-eastern-india","2026-04-23T09:16:54Z",[390,638],"Heatwave Map Spotlight: Northern, Central, and Eastern India",{"_10":1375,"_243":1376,"_246":1377,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414755193206","A man wipes sweat from his face under the scorching sun.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Heatwave2Desktop_201f1ef3-3ac0-4fcd-86f6-216c4a5b07b3.jpg?v=1776936733",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1379,"_1115":1380,"_1131":1381,"_1133":1382,"_1134":1383,"_1136":1384,"_985":1385,"_10":1386,"_1140":1387,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1388,"_577":1389,"_541":1390,"_1147":1391},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"China grapples with unhealthy air pollution, affecting major cities and public health. Learn more about the impacted regions, underlying causes, and expected improvements.","

China grapples with unhealthy air pollution, affecting major cities and public health. Learn more about the impacted regions, underlying causes, and expected improvements.

","Is the air quality good in China? As of April 23, 2026, air quality in China remains poor, with some of the major cities experiencing air quality in the \"unhealthy\" range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly. By 1:30 PM (Chinese Standard Time, GMT+8), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 200, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors. While conditions remain poor, China’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 29.6 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 87, classified as \"moderate\". This level is nearly 5.92 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing China among the world’s 20 most polluted countries in 2025. Air quality map of China and neighboring countries as of 1:30 PM (CST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir. Which cities are affected by bad air quality in China? As of April 23, 2026, several major cities across China are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include: Aksu Beijing Jinchang Kashgar Lanzhou Puer Yinchuan Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see China's air quality map. Beijing ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of 1:30 PM (CST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir. When will the air quality improve in China? With spring now underway, the end of the coal-fired heating season should bring some relief, as heating-related emissions begin to ease. However, March and April bring their own challenge: this period has the highest frequency of sand and dust weather, with storms primarily originating from Mongolia, capable of spiking PM10 concentrations several fold. More sustained improvement is expected by late April to May, as warmer temperatures, stronger winds, and spring rainfall help disperse pollutants. Lasting progress still depends on continued emission controls and cleaner energy adoption (1). What is causing poor air quality in China? The root causes of air pollution in China include dependence on fossil fuels, coal combustion, biomass burning, traffic and waste incineration emission, industrial pollution, and soil dust, with coal and other fossil fuels exploited despite renewable investments (2). In spring (March-May), pollution persists due to frequent dust storms from the Gobi Desert, Taklimakan Desert, and Inner Mongolian Plateau, causing sudden PM10 spikes. Higher temperature and humidity levels rise, and winds contribute to the smog by carrying pollutants from industrialized regions. Resuspended road dust from construction and urbanization, and transboundary pollution also contribute. Meteorological conditions favor the mobilization and transport of dust in spring (3). How can I protect myself from poor air quality? Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.","

Is the air quality good in China?

As of April 23, 2026, air quality in China remains poor, with some of the major cities experiencing air quality in the \"unhealthy\" range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.

By 1:30 PM (Chinese Standard Time, GMT+8), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 200, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.

While conditions remain poor, China’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 29.6 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 87, classified as \"moderate\". This level is nearly 5.92 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing China among the world’s 20 most polluted countries in 2025.

$\"\"$ Air quality map of China and neighboring countries as of 1:30 PM (CST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Which cities are affected by bad air quality in China?

As of April 23, 2026, several major cities across China are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include:

Aksu
Beijing
Jinchang
Kashgar
Lanzhou
Puer
Yinchuan

Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see China's air quality map.

$\"\"$ Beijing ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of 1:30 PM (CST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir.

When will the air quality improve in China?

With spring now underway, the end of the coal-fired heating season should bring some relief, as heating-related emissions begin to ease. However, March and April bring their own challenge: this period has the highest frequency of sand and dust weather, with storms primarily originating from Mongolia, capable of spiking PM10 concentrations several fold.

More sustained improvement is expected by late April to May, as warmer temperatures, stronger winds, and spring rainfall help disperse pollutants. Lasting progress still depends on continued emission controls and cleaner energy adoption (1).

What is causing poor air quality in China?

The root causes of air pollution in China include dependence on fossil fuels, coal combustion, biomass burning, traffic and waste incineration emission, industrial pollution, and soil dust, with coal and other fossil fuels exploited despite renewable investments (2).

In spring (March-May), pollution persists due to frequent dust storms from the Gobi Desert, Taklimakan Desert, and Inner Mongolian Plateau, causing sudden PM10 spikes. Higher temperature and humidity levels rise, and winds contribute to the smog by carrying pollutants from industrialized regions.

Resuspended road dust from construction and urbanization, and transboundary pollution also contribute. Meteorological conditions favor the mobilization and transport of dust in spring (3).

How can I protect myself from poor air quality?

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.\n
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.

","china-air-quality-alert","gid://shopify/Article/999656948086","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/china-air-quality-alert","2026-04-23T05:30:23Z",[390,638],"China Air Quality Alert",{"_10":1392,"_243":-5,"_246":1393,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414748639606","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/BeijingDesktop_bc51c3b5-6b87-4b64-b0ee-e36d75f0f16e.jpg?v=1776922227","popular",[1396,1413,1429,1445],{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1397,"_1115":1398,"_1131":1399,"_1133":1399,"_1134":1400,"_1136":1401,"_985":1402,"_10":1403,"_1140":1404,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1405,"_577":1406,"_541":1408,"_1147":1409},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Learn why wildfire smoke poses a health risk to people living far downwind and what you can do to help protect yourself.","When considering the dangers of wildfires, thoughts of fleeing your home while a raging wildfire rapidly approaches can easily consume your imagination. However, the number one cause of death from fires is smoke inhalation. The primary cause of death from wildfires is smoke inhalation. 50 to 80 percent of fire deaths are from smoke inhalation. Inhaling smoke damages your body in one or both of the following ways: by robbing it of oxygen through particulate matter irritation Smoke inhalation is particularly dangerous because you may not show symptoms until 24 to 48 hours after exposure. 50–80 percent of fire deaths are from smoke inhalation.1 Read on to learn how to help protect the health of yourself and your loved ones, and learn some wildfire smoke safety tips to rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary wildfire safety precautions to reduce the consequences of toxic wildfire smoke. What’s in wildfire smoke? Wildfire smoke is a mixture of thousands of individual compounds, including harmful particles and gases that pose a severe health risk to anyone (including pets) nearby and downwind from a fire. Wildfire smoke often contains: water vapor particulate matter trace minerals carbon dioxide carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide compounds that contribute to elevated ozone (O3) levels volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including acrolein and formaldehyde (potent respiratory irritants) Wildfire smoke often contains fine (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles that can be absorbed directly into your blood stream and reach any organ or area of your body. Pictured: The typical contents of wildfire smoke, including ultrafine particles (≤ 0.3 microns), PM2.5 (2.5-10 microns), acrolein, PM10 (> 10 microns), formaldehyde, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. Source: IQAir Wildfire smoke composition depends upon multiple factors, including: the types of wood and vegetation burning the moisture content the fire temperature wind conditions other weather-related influences The primary pollutant threatening the health of those nearby and downwind of a wildfire is particulate matter. Wildfire smoke often contains fine (or PM2.5) and ultrafine particles. These tiny airborne particles are the most dangerous to your health. Fine particles (smaller than 2.5 microns) penetrate deeply into your lungs. The most dangerous are ultrafine particles (smaller than 0.1 microns), which represent 90% of all airborne particles. These particles are tiny and can be absorbed directly into your bloodstream. Once in your blood, they can reach any organ or area of your body. Clean the air with high-performance air filtration Learn more about our wildfire smoke air purifiers Click here Wildfire smoke and at-risk populations Most healthy adults will recover from smoke exposure. However, certain individuals are more at risk for severe health consequences, including:2 Young children. Children whose lungs are still developing are considered more vulnerable, regardless of whether they have a pre-existing condition. Pregnant women. Wildfire smoke inhalation puts pregnant women and their unborn children at a higher risk than the general population. Older adults. This population is at-risk due to an increased rate of pre-existing heart and lung disease. Anyone with a respiratory disease. Individuals with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD, asthma, or another respiratory disease are at-risk. Individuals with heart disease. Circulatory diseases include high blood pressure, vascular diseases, heart failure, and cerebrovascular conditions. These conditions make sufferers susceptible to heart attacks, transient chest pain, heart failure, stroke, and sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia. Young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with respiratory and cardiovascular pre-existing conditions may find that they experience more severe symptoms and find it harder to breathe.3 The full impact of wildfire smoke is not yet fully understood. A 2017 review in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology found that there are still important study opportunities for exploring the long-term health implications of smoke exposure, smoke exposure recovery, and additional smoke inhalation health impacts for children.4 Exposure to smoke can be dangerous simply due to the microorganisms within the smoke. A 2020 study in Science magazine noted that microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungal spores, comprise some of the particulate matter found in smoke.5 The study theorizes that infectious disease may be spread as bacteria and fungi become part of smoke’s particulate composition. Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungal spores, comprise some of the particulate matter found in smoke, and infectious disease may be spread as they become part of the smoke’s particulate composition. How wildfire smoke behaves Many factors affect wildfire smoke behavior, such as: weather geographical terrain the stage of the fire wind Use the live, interactive air quality map below to see how weather, wind, and location can impact the behavior of wildfire smoke near you. Windy conditions generally cause smoke to mix with larger volumes of air to lower smoke concentrations. However, strong winds also can spread fires more quickly, causing larger fires with greater impact. Regional weather can be the dominant determinant in how a fire behaves as well as how smoke affects surrounding areas. However, regional weather systems can spread fires quickly and result in larger fires with more smoke generated, creating the potential for even greater impacts. Strong regional weather systems can also dominate a fire’s behavior for days and be the determining factor of where and how smoke will affect an area. Smoke can travel for miles beyond its source. In 2020, smoke from wildfires in the Western United States drifted for nearly 5,000 miles, eventually being detected in Europe. Smoke can travel for miles beyond its source. In 2020, smoke from wildfires in the western United States drifted for nearly 5,000 miles, eventually being detected in Europe.6 Wildfire safety tips Wildfire smoke events can occur seemingly without warning. But there are steps you can take to prepare yourself using appropriate safety precautions for wildfires. Keep the air clean in your home. Keep windows and doors closed closed and seal off any openings to the outside, including vents, to help prevent outdoor smoke from getting in. When using an air conditioner, be sure to set it to re-circulate and close the fresh-air intake. Filter the air when ventilating the space. An air purifier for wildfire smoke, will help remove smoke particles of all sizes down to 0.003 microns from the indoor air and help control ozone levels. This is critical if you live in an urban area downwind (even remotely) from wildfires. Stay indoors as much as possible. This tactic is most useful in buildings that effectively stop outdoor air from getting inside. If you need to travel by car to leave or evacuate an area affected by wildfire smoke, use a car air purifier to help keep your vehicle interior air clean as you pass through smoky or polluted areas. You can also use a portable, personal air purifier to access clean air where other air filtration systems are not available. Wear a mask outdoors. Only use an air pollution mask with an N95, KN95, N100, or FFP2 rating to help. Avoid activities that further pollute the indoor air. Avoid burning candles, using the fireplace, or even vacuuming unless you own a high-performance HEPA vacuum cleaner. All of these activities can otherwise become additional sources of indoor air pollutants. Monitor your indoor air quality. Use an air quality monitor to track levels of indoor pollutants like PM2.5 and CO2 from smoke and other indoor pollution sources. Take action if indoor air pollutants rise to dangerous levels by running an air purifier, circulating fresh air through your HVAC system, or leaving your home temporarily if indoor air becomes unsafe to breathe or your home is threatened by wildfire. Use an air quality monitoring app to keep track of pollutants in your environment. The AirVisual app displays real-time hyperlocal data from over 80,000 sensors around the world. The app also tracks up to six key wildfire pollutants, such as PM2.5, CO2, and NO2, so that you have the best picture of your local air quality during a wildfire and can take action to help protect your health. Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire smoke can negatively affect your health, even if you’re far away from the actual fire. Learn to protect the health of yourself and your family, and rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary precautions. During a wildfire, it’s also important to monitor your local air quality to see how wildfire smoke will affect your outdoor air. The takeaway Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire smoke can negatively affect your health, even if you’re far away from the actual fire. And while wildfire smoke may be a warning sign of imminent fires, smoke also delivers its own set of risks for people living miles beyond the source. Though smoke pollutants carried on the wind may be invisible, their impacts are felt by those most at risk. Smoke pollutants pose health threats that range from irritation and cough to more serious respiratory and cardiac risks. By helping control smoke pollutants that threaten our indoor air quality through monitoring and air purification, it's possible to help manage wildfire smoke health risks.","

When considering the dangers of wildfires, thoughts of fleeing your home while a raging wildfire rapidly approaches can easily consume your imagination. However, the number one cause of death from fires is smoke inhalation.

The primary cause of death from wildfires is smoke inhalation. 50 to 80 percent of fire deaths are from smoke inhalation.

Inhaling smoke damages your body in one or both of the following ways:

by robbing it of oxygen
through particulate matter irritation

Smoke inhalation is particularly dangerous because you may not show symptoms until 24 to 48 hours after exposure. 50–80 percent of fire deaths are from smoke inhalation.¹

Read on to learn how to help protect the health of yourself and your loved ones, and learn some wildfire smoke safety tips to rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary wildfire safety precautions to reduce the consequences of toxic wildfire smoke.

What’s in wildfire smoke?

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of thousands of individual compounds, including harmful particles and gases that pose a severe health risk to anyone (including pets) nearby and downwind from a fire.

Wildfire smoke often contains:

\n
water vapor
\n
\n
particulate matter
\n
\n
trace minerals
\n
\n
carbon dioxide
\n
\n
carbon monoxide
\n
\n
nitrogen oxides
\n
\n
hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide compounds that contribute to elevated ozone (O₃) levels
\n
\n
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including acrolein and formaldehyde (potent respiratory irritants)
\n

Wildfire smoke often contains fine (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles that can be absorbed directly into your blood stream and reach any organ or area of your body.

$\"What's$

Pictured: The typical contents of wildfire smoke, including ultrafine particles (≤ 0.3 microns), PM2.5 (2.5-10 microns), acrolein, PM10 (> 10 microns), formaldehyde, carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. Source: IQAir

Wildfire smoke composition depends upon multiple factors, including:

\n
the types of wood and vegetation burning
\n

\n
the moisture content
\n
\n
the fire temperature
\n
\n
wind conditions
\n
\n
other weather-related influences
\n

The primary pollutant threatening the health of those nearby and downwind of a wildfire is particulate matter. Wildfire smoke often contains fine (or PM2.5) and ultrafine particles. These tiny airborne particles are the most dangerous to your health.

Fine particles (smaller than 2.5 microns) penetrate deeply into your lungs.

The most dangerous are ultrafine particles (smaller than 0.1 microns), which represent 90% of all airborne particles. These particles are tiny and can be absorbed directly into your bloodstream. Once in your blood, they can reach any organ or area of your body.

\n \n

\n\n

Clean the air with high-performance air filtration
Learn more about our wildfire smoke air purifiers

\n\n

Click here

Wildfire smoke and at-risk populations

Most healthy adults will recover from smoke exposure. However, certain individuals are more at risk for severe health consequences, including:²

\n
Young children. Children whose lungs are still developing are considered more vulnerable, regardless of whether they have a pre-existing condition.
\n
\n
Pregnant women. Wildfire smoke inhalation puts pregnant women and their unborn children at a higher risk than the general population.
\n
\n
Older adults. This population is at-risk due to an increased rate of pre-existing heart and lung disease.
\n
\n
Anyone with a respiratory disease. Individuals with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD, asthma, or another respiratory disease are at-risk.
\n
\n
Individuals with heart disease. Circulatory diseases include high blood pressure, vascular diseases, heart failure, and cerebrovascular conditions. These conditions make sufferers susceptible to heart attacks, transient chest pain, heart failure, stroke, and sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia.
\n

Young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with respiratory and cardiovascular pre-existing conditions may find that they experience more severe symptoms and find it harder to breathe.³

The full impact of wildfire smoke is not yet fully understood. A 2017 review in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology found that there are still important study opportunities for exploring the long-term health implications of smoke exposure, smoke exposure recovery, and additional smoke inhalation health impacts for children.⁴

Exposure to smoke can be dangerous simply due to the microorganisms within the smoke. A 2020 study in Science magazine noted that microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungal spores, comprise some of the particulate matter found in smoke.⁵ The study theorizes that infectious disease may be spread as bacteria and fungi become part of smoke’s particulate composition.

 Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungal spores, comprise some of the particulate matter found in smoke, and infectious disease may be spread as they become part of the smoke’s particulate composition.

How wildfire smoke behaves

Many factors affect wildfire smoke behavior, such as:

\n
weather
\n
\n
geographical terrain
\n
\n
the stage of the fire
\n
\n
wind
\n

Use the live, interactive air quality map below to see how weather, wind, and location can impact the behavior of wildfire smoke near you.

$\"placeholder$

Windy conditions generally cause smoke to mix with larger volumes of air to lower smoke concentrations. However, strong winds also can spread fires more quickly, causing larger fires with greater impact.

Regional weather can be the dominant determinant in how a fire behaves as well as how smoke affects surrounding areas. However, regional weather systems can spread fires quickly and result in larger fires with more smoke generated, creating the potential for even greater impacts.

Strong regional weather systems can also dominate a fire’s behavior for days and be the determining factor of where and how smoke will affect an area.

Smoke can travel for miles beyond its source. In 2020, smoke from wildfires in the Western United States drifted for nearly 5,000 miles, eventually being detected in Europe.

Smoke can travel for miles beyond its source. In 2020, smoke from wildfires in the western United States drifted for nearly 5,000 miles, eventually being detected in Europe.⁶

Wildfire safety tips

Wildfire smoke events can occur seemingly without warning. But there are steps you can take to prepare yourself using appropriate safety precautions for wildfires.

\n
Keep the air clean in your home. Keep windows and doors closed closed and seal off any openings to the outside, including vents, to help prevent outdoor smoke from getting in. When using an air conditioner, be sure to set it to re-circulate and close the fresh-air intake. Filter the air when ventilating the space. An air purifier for wildfire smoke, will help remove smoke particles of all sizes down to 0.003 microns from the indoor air and help control ozone levels. This is critical if you live in an urban area downwind (even remotely) from wildfires.
\n
\n
Stay indoors as much as possible. This tactic is most useful in buildings that effectively stop outdoor air from getting inside. If you need to travel by car to leave or evacuate an area affected by wildfire smoke, use a car air purifier to help keep your vehicle interior air clean as you pass through smoky or polluted areas. You can also use a portable, personal air purifier to access clean air where other air filtration systems are not available.
\n
\n
Wear a mask outdoors. Only use an air pollution mask with an N95, KN95, N100, or FFP2 rating to help.
\n
\n
Avoid activities that further pollute the indoor air. Avoid burning candles, using the fireplace, or even vacuuming unless you own a high-performance HEPA vacuum cleaner. All of these activities can otherwise become additional sources of indoor air pollutants.
\n
\n
Monitor your indoor air quality. Use an air quality monitor to track levels of indoor pollutants like PM2.5 and CO₂ from smoke and other indoor pollution sources. Take action if indoor air pollutants rise to dangerous levels by running an air purifier, circulating fresh air through your HVAC system, or leaving your home temporarily if indoor air becomes unsafe to breathe or your home is threatened by wildfire.
\n
\n
Use an air quality monitoring app to keep track of pollutants in your environment. The AirVisual app displays real-time hyperlocal data from over 80,000 sensors around the world. The app also tracks up to six key wildfire pollutants, such as PM2.5, CO₂, and NO₂, so that you have the best picture of your local air quality during a wildfire and can take action to help protect your health.
\n

$\"Google$ $\"App$ $\"Android\"$

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire smoke can negatively affect your health, even if you’re far away from the actual fire. Learn to protect the health of yourself and your family, and rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary precautions.

During a wildfire, it’s also important to monitor your local air quality to see how wildfire smoke will affect your outdoor air.

The takeaway

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire smoke can negatively affect your health, even if you’re far away from the actual fire. And while wildfire smoke may be a warning sign of imminent fires, smoke also delivers its own set of risks for people living miles beyond the source.

Though smoke pollutants carried on the wind may be invisible, their impacts are felt by those most at risk. Smoke pollutants pose health threats that range from irritation and cough to more serious respiratory and cardiac risks.

By helping control smoke pollutants that threaten our indoor air quality through monitoring and air purification, it's possible to help manage wildfire smoke health risks.

","how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke","gid://shopify/Article/606869291307","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke","2025-07-01T20:46:00Z",[390,638,1407,1306],"Popular articles","How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke",{"_10":1410,"_243":1411,"_246":1412,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406601138550","Wildfire at night in hills","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_21_WildfireDesktop_a_790d6d55-874f-4c95-bff8-11655661a476.jpg?v=1752702197",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1414,"_1115":1415,"_1131":1416,"_1133":1416,"_1134":1417,"_1136":1418,"_985":1419,"_10":1420,"_1140":1421,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1422,"_577":1423,"_541":1424,"_1147":1425},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"How can you know what air purifier manufacturers to trust? Let's look more critically at air purification.","The home air purifier market has undergone many shifts and starts in its decades-long history as an affordable solution for indoor air quality. Along with those shifts have been seemingly ground breaking advancements in filtration technologies that may seem like the next revolution in air purification. But not all air purifiers safely clean the air. Not all air purifiers safely clean the air. Let's take an evidence-based approach to the industry and separate the fact from the fiction. What should I look for in an air purifier? Before we examine the various air purifiers on the market with a critical eye, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of what does make a good air purifier. 1. HEPA filters are the standard for the industry. What is a HEPA filter? High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture airborne particles from moving air using a dense, random arrangement of fibers. HEPA filters use the physics of particles moving through air to yank them out of the air flow. Their operation is simple but extremely effective, and HEPA filters are now standard issue for almost every air purifier on the market. But it wasn’t always that way. Air purifiers have been around for well over a century. The first air purification systems appeared in the 1850s in charcoal-based masks used by coal miners. They were designed to keep toxic dust out of their lungs. The technology was so successful that, less than twenty years later, respirators were added to these types of masks to protect firefighters from breathing in smoke chemicals and pollutants (1). Beginning in the 1940s, the United States Atomic Energy Commission started experimenting with high-efficiency particulate arrestance, better known now as HEPA, as a method of shielding soldiers from atomic radiation on World War II battlefields (2). HEPA filters did nothing to filter radiation particles, but researchers quickly learned that HEPA filters could filter out many harmful pollutants. In 1963, Manfred and Klaus Hammes, the founders of IQAir, introduced the world’s first residential air filter based on HEPA technology, helping reduce indoor pollution as well as chronic asthma symptoms. Not long after, HEPA became so widespread that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) required that all filters sold under the name “HEPA” must filter at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns (3). Since then, HEPA air purification has become the standard for the air purification industry. HEPA is now thrown around as a generic term for air filters, but HEPA filters continue to filter 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. The HyperHEPA filter builds upon the HEPA model to create even more efficient filtration systems. Many manufacturers, including IQAir, have built upon the HEPA model to create even more efficient filtration systems. IQAir’s patented HyperHEPAfilter is one such filter. HyperHEPA filters remove 99.5% of particles down to 0.003 microns, which are 100 times smaller than the DOE’s required 0.3-micron particle size. 2. Not all air purifier designs are created equal. All air purifier manufacturers know that their filters need to live up to this HEPA standard. But long-standing, strict guidelines around air filters can provide a false sense of security in HEPA. To advertise an air purifier as HEPA, it only needs to contain HEPA paper, the paper used to construct a HEPA filter. Whether the air purifier’s Total System Efficiency meets HEPA requirements is another story. In fact, most HEPA air purifiers are not tested for total efficiency (4). The hidden factor at work here is leakage. Despite the high efficiency of many HEPA filters, the housing designs of many air purifiers are not airtight. This means that dirty, unfiltered air passes around the HEPA filter through tiny openings, cracks, and space around the frame of the HEPA filter itself or between the frame and the purifier housing (5). So even though many air purifiers claim that their HEPA filters remove nearly 100% of particles from the air that passes through them, they’re only telling part of the story. In some cases, the actual efficiency of the whole air purifier design, with leakage considered, is closer to 80% or less (6). Even though many air purifiers claim that their HEPA filters remove nearly 100% of particles from the air that passes through them, the actual efficiency of the whole air purifier design, with leakage considered, is closer to 80% or less. Some air purifier manufacturers have resolved this issue with designs that are built to minimize or eliminate leakage. IQAir uses patented 3D UltraSeal knife-edge-in-groove sealing between the filter frame and the purifier housing to guarantee the full efficiency of our HyperHEPA filtration media. 3. Concerned about gas and odors? Go beyond HEPA. While HyperHEPA filters are great at getting particles out of the air, they do NOT take gases and odors out of the air. Unlike particles, the molecules that comprise gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not solid and will float through even the densest HyperHEPA filters. That’s where activated carbon filters come in. How do these filters work? It’s simpler than you might think: Chunks of carbon material (like charcoal) are exposed to high concentrations of oxygen. Countless pores open on the carbon surface, increasing the carbon surface area enormously. At this point, a pound of activated carbon can have the same surface area as 100 football fields. Several pounds of activated carbon are arranged in a flat “bed” and packaged in a proprietary filter design (such as IQAir’s V5 Cell gas and odor control filter). Air passes through the activated carbon bed. Gas, chemical, and VOC molecules are adsorbed into the carbon pores, meaning that they chemically bond to the extensive charcoal surface area. Activated carbon adsorption is the go-to method of filtration for gases as well as chemical pollutants from vehicle emissions and combustion processes (7)(8). Activated carbon adsorption is the go-to method of filtration for gases as well as chemical pollutants from vehicle emissions and combustion processes. Some air purifiers are designed to maximize activated carbon in case you’re more concerned about, for example, gases from cooking or odors from pets than about particle pollution in your home. IQAir’s GC MultiGas is built for such a purpose—while carbon filters generally use a few pounds of carbon, the GC MultiGas contains 12 pounds of activated carbon as well as impregnated alumina, providing well over 1200 football fields worth of surface area for gas and VOC molecules to adsorb to. The takeaway Now you know that the elements of a good air purifier are: HyperHEPA media for particle filtration No system leakage due to sealed filter and purifier housing Activated carbon for gas and odor filtration But we're not done yet. Just as important to know is what not to look for in an air purifier. What should I avoid in an air purifier? When considering air purifiers, some people wonder about their effectiveness and even potential risks. Question often arise, such as \"Do air purifiers work?\" or \"Are air purifiers effective?\" The answer is that while some air cleaning methods can remove particles and pollutants from the air, their capabilities are often limited. But it's not just about effectiveness. People also ask, \"Are air purifiers bad for you?\" This concern arises from potential hidden costs to your health. It's important to be aware of inefficiencies and any potential risks associated with the air purifier you're considering before making a purchase. So, if you're in the market for an air purifier, remember to ask yourself whether it will be effective at removing pollutants and particles from the air, and whether it poses any risks to your health. Ionizer air purifiers Ionizers are purported to purify air by sending out negatively charged ions (anions) that attract positively charged pollution particles (cations), causing them to leave the air and stick to surfaces like ceilings, walls, and furniture. Many popular air purifiers use ionization technology, also called negative ionization, as a central component of their operation. Research suggests that ionizers can help stop potentially infectious molds and bacteria from spreading in sterile environments like dental clinics and hospitals (9)(10). But there are two critical downsides to ionization (11)(12): Ionizer air purifiersdon’t get rid of pollutants. Particles charged by negative ions aren’t removed from the air—they merely stick to surfaces nearby. This includes surfaces inside your airways, such as your windpipe and alveoli, the sacs of air in your lungs. Pollutant build-up can cause heart, lung, and other respiratory conditions. Ionizer air purifierscan generate harmful ozone. Ionizers produce ozone (O3) that can build up to dangerous levels indoors. At even low levels, indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb (the organ that helps your brain process odors), and even be fatal at high concentrations. Indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb, and even be fatal at high concentrations. Verdict Don't buy an ionizer air purifier.They don’t remove particles from the air, and the ozone they produce can have harmful side effects, even if the purifier claims that they only charge the particles “a little bit.” Ozone Generators It’s worth saying again: ozone is TERRIBLE for you, especially indoor ozone build-up. The health concerns are serious enough that in 2017, California banned the use of ozonehome air purifiers (13). Ozone generators use a process called corona discharge to release ozone molecules into the air. When an ozone molecule intermingles with a particle or gas molecule, an ozone atom clings to the other molecule and blows it up in a process known as oxidation. Oxidation in the atmosphere after a lightning strike is also what makes the air smell so distinct after a thunderstorm. However, ozone generators do little to clean air and are quite bad for you. Here’s just a short (and far from complete) list of reasons why (14)(15)(16)(17)(18): Ozone can take years to fully clear even a small room of gases. Ozone reactions can introduce ultrafine particles (UFPs) into the air.UFPs can get into your lungs and your bloodstream, causing heart disease and even stunting lung development in children. Indoor ozone levels can rise five to ten times above recommended limits,which range from 0.05 to 0.1 parts per million (ppm), because of a lack of ventilation and in combination with outdoor ozone that seeps indoors.To put this in perspective, those who are sensitive to ozone, such as children, people with asthma, and pets, start experiencing health effects at only 0.01 ppm. Even a “safe” ozone generator that emits a small amount of ozone can quickly trigger potentially life-threatening ailments like asthma attacks. Verdict Don’t buy an ozone generator. They’re NOT air purifiers. Not only do they fail to clean your air, they hurt you and the most vulnerable in your home: your children and your pets. UV Light Purifiers Ultraviolet (UV) light is often used to disinfect equipment in hospitals and prevent the spread of harmful strains of bacteria and viruses (19)(20). One of the most common UV purification methods is called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, or UVGI. In UVGI, intense UV lights are shined on bacteria and viruses, damaging their DNA beyond repair. Bacterial cells and viruses then shut themselves down because they can no longer function. This is called apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which effectively destroys their ability to cause infections (21). But UV air purification isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s why(22) (23) (24) (25) (26): Bacteria and viruses need to be exposed to UV light for a certain amount of timebefore they’re rendered harmless: some strains need to be treated with UV for several hours in direct UV light before they’re destroyed.Home UV air purifiers don’t shine UV light on them long enough to be genuinely useful. Some bacteria can come back to life and become infectious again even after being disinfected by UV light. UV lights do nothing for pollutant particles.Air treated with UV light can still be full of harmful particulate matter, like PM10 and PM2.5. Many UV air purifiers produce ozone. UV light can burn your skin and damage your eyes. Sure, most UV purifiers block the light from shining out of the purifier, but even brief UV exposure can cause permanent skin and eye damage as well as cancer. Air treated with UV light can still be full of harmful particulate matter. Verdict Don’t buy a UV light air purifier. UV light somewhat disinfects but doesn’t purify air, and research shows that UV’s disinfection potential for air may be exaggerated. What do I do now? At this point, you should feel like you have a good sense of what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to a truly effective air purification system. So, what should you do now, armed with your knowledge of what makes a good air purifier? You have a multitude of options for maximizing your indoor air quality: Get a HyperHEPA air purifier. Patented HyperHEPA filtration technology removes 99.5% of pollutant particles down to 0.003 microns, the smallest particles in existence. Use advanced gas-phase filtration. Patented V5 Cell gas and odor control filters, used in HealthPro Series air purifiers, eliminateharmful chemicals and compounds with five pounds of activated carbon. The GC MultiGas features 12 pounds of activated carbon and impregnated alumina to help protect you against indoor gases and chemicals, in addition to our powerful HyperHEPA particle filtration. Use a personal air purifier. Atem Series personal air purifiers are equipped with HyperHEPA filtration technology and a PureJet diffuser that instantly blankets you in clean air. They’re sleek, compact, and portable, allowing you to breathe virtually pure air anytime, anywhere. Install a whole-house air purifier. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at home uses outdoor air to heat and cool your home, so even with an indoor air purifier, your air still might become polluted by outdoor particulates on days with poor air quality. The PerfectPro Series whole-house air purifier is equipped with the most powerful HyperHEPA filters available for a residential air purification systems. It fits seamlessly into your existing HVAC system, ensuring that air entering your home is always up to the highest possible standard of quality. Still not sure? Read about some of the misconceptions that surround air purification technology. Use our Help Me Choose tool to see what air purifier may work best for your indoor air quality needs. The most capable air purification technology is always backed by evidence-based facts and science. When it comes to choosing the best air purifier, science has got your back.","

The home air purifier market has undergone many shifts and starts in its decades-long history as an affordable solution for indoor air quality. Along with those shifts have been seemingly ground breaking advancements in filtration technologies that may seem like the next revolution in air purification.

But not all air purifiers safely clean the air.

Not all air purifiers safely clean the air.

Let's take an evidence-based approach to the industry and separate the fact from the fiction.

What should I look for in an air purifier?

Before we examine the various air purifiers on the market with a critical eye, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of what does make a good air purifier.

$\"Air$

1. HEPA filters are the standard for the industry.

What is a HEPA filter?

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture airborne particles from moving air using a dense, random arrangement of fibers. HEPA filters use the physics of particles moving through air to yank them out of the air flow. Their operation is simple but extremely effective, and HEPA filters are now standard issue for almost every air purifier on the market.

But it wasn’t always that way.

Air purifiers have been around for well over a century. The first air purification systems appeared in the 1850s in charcoal-based masks used by coal miners. They were designed to keep toxic dust out of their lungs. The technology was so successful that, less than twenty years later, respirators were added to these types of masks to protect firefighters from breathing in smoke chemicals and pollutants (1).

Beginning in the 1940s, the United States Atomic Energy Commission started experimenting with high-efficiency particulate arrestance, better known now as HEPA, as a method of shielding soldiers from atomic radiation on World War II battlefields (2).

HEPA filters did nothing to filter radiation particles, but researchers quickly learned that HEPA filters could filter out many harmful pollutants.

In 1963, Manfred and Klaus Hammes, the founders of IQAir, introduced the world’s first residential air filter based on HEPA technology, helping reduce indoor pollution as well as chronic asthma symptoms. Not long after, HEPA became so widespread that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) required that all filters sold under the name “HEPA” must filter at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns (3).

Since then, HEPA air purification has become the standard for the air purification industry. HEPA is now thrown around as a generic term for air filters, but HEPA filters continue to filter 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns.

The HyperHEPA filter builds upon the HEPA model to create even more efficient filtration systems.

Many manufacturers, including IQAir, have built upon the HEPA model to create even more efficient filtration systems. IQAir’s patented HyperHEPAfilter is one such filter. HyperHEPA filters remove 99.5% of particles down to 0.003 microns, which are 100 times smaller than the DOE’s required 0.3-micron particle size.

2. Not all air purifier designs are created equal.

All air purifier manufacturers know that their filters need to live up to this HEPA standard. But long-standing, strict guidelines around air filters can provide a false sense of security in HEPA.

To advertise an air purifier as HEPA, it only needs to contain HEPA paper, the paper used to construct a HEPA filter. Whether the air purifier’s Total System Efficiency meets HEPA requirements is another story. In fact, most HEPA air purifiers are not tested for total efficiency (4).

The hidden factor at work here is leakage. Despite the high efficiency of many HEPA filters, the housing designs of many air purifiers are not airtight. This means that dirty, unfiltered air passes around the HEPA filter through tiny openings, cracks, and space around the frame of the HEPA filter itself or between the frame and the purifier housing (5).

So even though many air purifiers claim that their HEPA filters remove nearly 100% of particles from the air that passes through them, they’re only telling part of the story. In some cases, the actual efficiency of the whole air purifier design, with leakage considered, is closer to 80% or less (6).

Even though many air purifiers claim that their HEPA filters remove nearly 100% of particles from the air that passes through them, the actual efficiency of the whole air purifier design, with leakage considered, is closer to 80% or less.

Some air purifier manufacturers have resolved this issue with designs that are built to minimize or eliminate leakage. IQAir uses patented 3D UltraSeal knife-edge-in-groove sealing between the filter frame and the purifier housing to guarantee the full efficiency of our HyperHEPA filtration media.

3. Concerned about gas and odors? Go beyond HEPA.

While HyperHEPA filters are great at getting particles out of the air, they do NOT take gases and odors out of the air.

Unlike particles, the molecules that comprise gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not solid and will float through even the densest HyperHEPA filters. That’s where activated carbon filters come in.

How do these filters work? It’s simpler than you might think:

Chunks of carbon material (like charcoal) are exposed to high concentrations of oxygen.
Countless pores open on the carbon surface, increasing the carbon surface area enormously. At this point, a pound of activated carbon can have the same surface area as 100 football fields.
Several pounds of activated carbon are arranged in a flat “bed” and packaged in a proprietary filter design (such as IQAir’s V5 Cell gas and odor control filter).
Air passes through the activated carbon bed.
Gas, chemical, and VOC molecules are adsorbed into the carbon pores, meaning that they chemically bond to the extensive charcoal surface area.

Activated carbon adsorption is the go-to method of filtration for gases as well as chemical pollutants from vehicle emissions and combustion processes (7)(8).

Activated carbon adsorption is the go-to method of filtration for gases as well as chemical pollutants from vehicle emissions and combustion processes.

Some air purifiers are designed to maximize activated carbon in case you’re more concerned about, for example, gases from cooking or odors from pets than about particle pollution in your home. IQAir’s GC MultiGas is built for such a purpose—while carbon filters generally use a few pounds of carbon, the GC MultiGas contains 12 pounds of activated carbon as well as impregnated alumina, providing well over 1200 football fields worth of surface area for gas and VOC molecules to adsorb to.

The takeaway

Now you know that the elements of a good air purifier are:

\nHyperHEPA media for particle filtration
\nNo system leakage due to sealed filter and purifier housing
\nActivated carbon for gas and odor filtration

But we're not done yet. Just as important to know is what not to look for in an air purifier.

What should I avoid in an air purifier?

When considering air purifiers, some people wonder about their effectiveness and even potential risks. Question often arise, such as \"Do air purifiers work?\" or \"Are air purifiers effective?\" The answer is that while some air cleaning methods can remove particles and pollutants from the air, their capabilities are often limited.

But it's not just about effectiveness. People also ask, \"Are air purifiers bad for you?\" This concern arises from potential hidden costs to your health. It's important to be aware of inefficiencies and any potential risks associated with the air purifier you're considering before making a purchase.

So, if you're in the market for an air purifier, remember to ask yourself whether it will be effective at removing pollutants and particles from the air, and whether it poses any risks to your health.

Ionizer air purifiers

Ionizers are purported to purify air by sending out negatively charged ions (anions) that attract positively charged pollution particles (cations), causing them to leave the air and stick to surfaces like ceilings, walls, and furniture.

Many popular air purifiers use ionization technology, also called negative ionization, as a central component of their operation. Research suggests that ionizers can help stop potentially infectious molds and bacteria from spreading in sterile environments like dental clinics and hospitals (9)(10).

But there are two critical downsides to ionization (11)(12):

\nIonizer air purifiersdon’t get rid of pollutants. Particles charged by negative ions aren’t removed from the air—they merely stick to surfaces nearby. This includes surfaces inside your airways, such as your windpipe and alveoli, the sacs of air in your lungs. Pollutant build-up can cause heart, lung, and other respiratory conditions.
\nIonizer air purifierscan generate harmful ozone. Ionizers produce ozone (O3) that can build up to dangerous levels indoors. At even low levels, indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb (the organ that helps your brain process odors), and even be fatal at high concentrations. \n

Indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb, and even be fatal at high concentrations.

Verdict

Don't buy an ionizer air purifier.They don’t remove particles from the air, and the ozone they produce can have harmful side effects, even if the purifier claims that they only charge the particles “a little bit.”

Ozone Generators

It’s worth saying again: ozone is TERRIBLE for you, especially indoor ozone build-up. The health concerns are serious enough that in 2017, California banned the use of ozonehome air purifiers (13).

Ozone generators use a process called corona discharge to release ozone molecules into the air. When an ozone molecule intermingles with a particle or gas molecule, an ozone atom clings to the other molecule and blows it up in a process known as oxidation. Oxidation in the atmosphere after a lightning strike is also what makes the air smell so distinct after a thunderstorm.

However, ozone generators do little to clean air and are quite bad for you. Here’s just a short (and far from complete) list of reasons why (14)(15)(16)(17)(18):

\nOzone can take years to fully clear even a small room of gases.
\nOzone reactions can introduce ultrafine particles (UFPs) into the air.UFPs can get into your lungs and your bloodstream, causing heart disease and even stunting lung development in children.
\nIndoor ozone levels can rise five to ten times above recommended limits,which range from 0.05 to 0.1 parts per million (ppm), because of a lack of ventilation and in combination with outdoor ozone that seeps indoors.To put this in perspective, those who are sensitive to ozone, such as children, people with asthma, and pets, start experiencing health effects at only 0.01 ppm. Even a “safe” ozone generator that emits a small amount of ozone can quickly trigger potentially life-threatening ailments like asthma attacks.

Verdict

Don’t buy an ozone generator. They’re NOT air purifiers. Not only do they fail to clean your air, they hurt you and the most vulnerable in your home: your children and your pets.

UV Light Purifiers

Ultraviolet (UV) light is often used to disinfect equipment in hospitals and prevent the spread of harmful strains of bacteria and viruses (19)(20).

One of the most common UV purification methods is called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, or UVGI.

In UVGI, intense UV lights are shined on bacteria and viruses, damaging their DNA beyond repair. Bacterial cells and viruses then shut themselves down because they can no longer function. This is called apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which effectively destroys their ability to cause infections (21).

But UV air purification isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s why(22) (23) (24) (25) (26):

\nBacteria and viruses need to be exposed to UV light for a certain amount of timebefore they’re rendered harmless: some strains need to be treated with UV for several hours in direct UV light before they’re destroyed.Home UV air purifiers don’t shine UV light on them long enough to be genuinely useful.
\nSome bacteria can come back to life and become infectious again even after being disinfected by UV light.
\nUV lights do nothing for pollutant particles.Air treated with UV light can still be full of harmful particulate matter, like PM10 and PM2.5.
Many UV air purifiers produce ozone.
\nUV light can burn your skin and damage your eyes. Sure, most UV purifiers block the light from shining out of the purifier, but even brief UV exposure can cause permanent skin and eye damage as well as cancer.

Air treated with UV light can still be full of harmful particulate matter.

Verdict

Don’t buy a UV light air purifier. UV light somewhat disinfects but doesn’t purify air, and research shows that UV’s disinfection potential for air may be exaggerated.

What do I do now?

At this point, you should feel like you have a good sense of what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to a truly effective air purification system.

So, what should you do now, armed with your knowledge of what makes a good air purifier? You have a multitude of options for maximizing your indoor air quality:

\nGet a HyperHEPA air purifier. Patented HyperHEPA filtration technology removes 99.5% of pollutant particles down to 0.003 microns, the smallest particles in existence.
\nUse advanced gas-phase filtration.\n
- Patented V5 Cell gas and odor control filters, used in HealthPro Series air purifiers, eliminateharmful chemicals and compounds with five pounds of activated carbon.
- The GC MultiGas features 12 pounds of activated carbon and impregnated alumina to help protect you against indoor gases and chemicals, in addition to our powerful HyperHEPA particle filtration.
\n
\nUse a personal air purifier. Atem Series personal air purifiers are equipped with HyperHEPA filtration technology and a PureJet diffuser that instantly blankets you in clean air. They’re sleek, compact, and portable, allowing you to breathe virtually pure air anytime, anywhere.
\nInstall a whole-house air purifier. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at home uses outdoor air to heat and cool your home, so even with an indoor air purifier, your air still might become polluted by outdoor particulates on days with poor air quality. The PerfectPro Series whole-house air purifier is equipped with the most powerful HyperHEPA filters available for a residential air purification systems. It fits seamlessly into your existing HVAC system, ensuring that air entering your home is always up to the highest possible standard of quality.

Still not sure? Read about some of the misconceptions that surround air purification technology. Use our Help Me Choose tool to see what air purifier may work best for your indoor air quality needs.

The most capable air purification technology is always backed by evidence-based facts and science. When it comes to choosing the best air purifier, science has got your back.

","do-air-purifiers-work-air-purifier-myths-and-facts-debunked","gid://shopify/Article/606869193003","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/do-air-purifiers-work-air-purifier-myths-and-facts-debunked","2022-01-02T14:14:32Z",[853,653,1407],"Do air purifiers work? Air purifier myths and facts debunked",{"_10":1426,"_243":1427,"_246":1428,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/408358224246","Close-up of what appears to be a room air purifier with some plants in the background (another indoor air purifying tool that has been shown to be ineffective in improving indoor air quality).","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_misconceptions-about-air-purifiers_5058ed72-2e8d-4b0f-9570-93510f9f1f89.jpg?v=1758212336",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1430,"_1115":1431,"_1131":1432,"_1133":1432,"_1134":1433,"_1136":1434,"_985":1435,"_10":1436,"_1140":1437,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1438,"_577":1439,"_541":1440,"_1147":1441},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"They look great on your nightstand, but are they worth their salt as air purifiers? Learn more.","Himalayan salt lamps DO NOT purify indoor air.These trendy little lamps consist of a light bulb placed inside a chunk of pink Himalayan salt. They’re easily recognized by their hand-carved, often stylized shapes and dim, pinkish glow they emit when light shines through them.They’ve been gaining popularity for years, mostly because their distinct color and unique appearance make them attractive objects for interior decoration, and their glow can add a pleasing atmosphere to a room.But their recent rise in popularity as “natural” air purifiers should trouble you.A host of (often misleading) studies supporting the use of salt in treating respiratory conditions have escalated demand for these little pink things, especially within the well-primed alternative medicine market, full of people who may already be seeking home remedies for all sorts of health conditions and indoor environmental issues when modern medicine hasn’t seemed to help.And you shouldn’t buy a Himalayan salt lamp to purify your air for one major reason: they’re negative ionizers, and negative ionization is one of the most absurd air purification myths ever devised.Why are Himalayan salt lamps bad for air quality?Again, two words: negative ionization.If you ever hear the words “ionization” (in one form or another) and “air purification” in the same sentence, you should run in the opposite direction.In the context of air purification, negative ionization happens when negatively charged particles attach themselves, or “charge,” pollutant particles in the air, effectively removing them from ambient air by causing them to stick to nearby surfaces.This phenomenon also occurs in nature – know that distinct smell in the air after a thunderstorm? That’s the result of “atmospheric space charge” as air ions are generated by the electric fields of storms.1 Many air purifiers and purification devices sold in stores, including Himalayan salt lamps and a variety of “air ionizers,” artificially produce high voltage to achieve this same effect.The problem with negative ionization, though, is that it doesn’t actually remove pollutants from your indoor air – it just causes the particles to adhere themselves to nearby surfaces, where they’re easily stirred up by indoor activities like dusting, vacuuming, and ventilation.Charged particles can also stick to your respiratory tract, where charged particles can settle in your windpipe and lungs and cause even more harm that if they’d just remained in the air. Studies show that these particles can penetrate deep into your respiratory system and cause both heart and lung conditions.2The average, nightstand-sized Himalayan salt lamp generates only a small number of negative ions into the air, so you may not notice any tangible change in your air quality or health, at least immediately. But these lamps can be huge: you can buy salt lamps that weight up to 300 pounds for thousands of dollars, and their ionization effects may have a more noticeable effect on your air, especially if you live in an airtight, energy-efficient home in which indoor pollutants have a much harder time getting out.And negative ionizers have another dark secret: they can also create indoor ozone (O3).There are two main types of ozone: Stratospheric ozone: Alayer of ozone occurs naturally several miles up in the atmosphere, where it protects the surface of the earth (and people’s skin) from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Tropospheric ozone: Also called ground-level ozone or smog, ground-level ozone tends to develop when heat from sunlight reacts with chemicals near the ground, many of which are produced by emissions from vehicle exhaust and factory smoke. Negative ionization can generate tropospheric ozone indoors. While stratospheric ozone has no interaction with us in the lower atmosphere, ground-level ozone is far more harmful when it builds up to high levels. And perhaps one of the starkest examples of ground-level ozone is one that millions of us know very well – the smog that forms in major cities during rush hour.If you live near a freeway, dense urban center, or even at a high elevation where you can see the area around an urban area. A few hours or less after rush hour begins and the sun begins to rise, you’ll start to notice a visible layer of haze build up. This is ground-level ozone, and even though it’s a typical feature of modern life, extensive research shows that it causes a plethora of immediate symptoms, including: Coughing Wheezing Trouble breathing Stuffy nose Dizziness Tingling in arms and legs Fever3,4 Further research suggests that ozone is also responsible for long-term health problems, such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease. Emerging studies on rats also suggest that ozone could cause seizures and blindness.So even though you may not get rush-hour levels of ozone in your home from a salt lamp, indoor ozone buildup can indeed cause some disruptive health effects if you don’t follow best practices for good Indoor Air Quality.So what’s so special about Himalayan salt?So how did someone come up with the idea that Himalayan salt lamps have any health effects at all?The story stretches back millennia. Truly authentic Himalayan salt comes from the Khewra salt reserves in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Salt mined here is thought to be millions of years old and contain numerous minerals.Salt lamps have been proposed for use in treatments for conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of their purported therapeutic effects on your respiratory system. This treatment even has a clinical term: halotherapy, based on an ages-old respiratory treatment technique known as speleotherapy. First used in Eastern Europe, speleotherapy consists of spending time in a salt cave, where four environmental conditions are thought to help reduce symptoms of respiratory illness:5 Stable air temperature Moderate to high humidity Presence of aerosol elements, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium Lack of airborne pollutants Halotherapy takes the notion that salt cave environments are good for respiratory health by having people inhale small amounts of salt particles that are released into the ambient air of a controlled room to “reproduce” a salt cave’s microclimate. But there’s no conclusive evidence that either speleotherapy or halotherapy actually relieve respiratory symptoms.6Take the claims with a grain of...well, saltSo here’s the takeaway: We’re not saying you shouldn’t get a Himalayan salt lamp. Their dim glow can be quite soothing at night when you’re trying to fall asleep.But they don’t purify air. And “air purifiers” that emits ions and ozone may make your indoor air quality worse, introduce new health problems, and exacerbate existing ones.You can take many precautions to monitorand keep your indoor air clean, but buying a salt lamp isn’t one of them. Try these proven methods instead: Be aware of your indoor air quality. The AirVisual Series consists of portable air quality monitors that use cutting-edge laser technology to give you real-time measurements of key pollutants, including particulate matter. AirVisual Series also provides 72-hour historical and forecast data so that you can know exactly when and why your indoor air quality changes. Control sources of poor indoor air quality. If you’re thinking about buying a salt lamp to purify your air, chances are that you do have air quality issues that you may be able to do something about. The first step to improving your indoor indoor air quality is source control.This means eliminating individual sources of pollution or reducing their emissions. Regularly clean your HVAC system ducts. Install a whole-house air purifier into your HVAC system to reduce indoor pollutants by up to 95%. Replace water-damaged areas of your home to prevent mold and dust mites. Keep paints, solvents, and other chemicals in well-ventilated areas. Ventilate your home. Let in fresh air regularly to lower the concentrations of indoor air pollutants. This is especially important if you live in an airtight, energy-efficient home in which indoor pollutants have nowhere to go and thus build up to dangerous levels. Open doors and windows when outdoor air quality is good. Use a range hood for your stove to capture gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cooking. Use an air purifier with HyperHEPA technology. The IQAir HealthPro Plusis the best air purifier for even the smallest pollutant particles, removing up to 99.5% of particulates down to 0.003 microns, like viruses and ultrafine particles from vehicle exhaust. The Atempersonal air purifier can also provide pure, pollutant-free air directly into your personal breathing zone. Sure, a salt lamp can be a nice accessory and bring some calm into your home. But there’s plenty you can do to actually keep your indoor air clean and bring yourself some peace of mind knowing that your home is a clean air sanctuary.","

Himalayan salt lamps DO NOT purify indoor air.

These trendy little lamps consist of a light bulb placed inside a chunk of pink Himalayan salt. They’re easily recognized by their hand-carved, often stylized shapes and dim, pinkish glow they emit when light shines through them.

They’ve been gaining popularity for years, mostly because their distinct color and unique appearance make them attractive objects for interior decoration, and their glow can add a pleasing atmosphere to a room.

But their recent rise in popularity as “natural” air purifiers should trouble you.

A host of (often misleading) studies supporting the use of salt in treating respiratory conditions have escalated demand for these little pink things, especially within the well-primed alternative medicine market, full of people who may already be seeking home remedies for all sorts of health conditions and indoor environmental issues when modern medicine hasn’t seemed to help.

And you shouldn’t buy a Himalayan salt lamp to purify your air for one major reason: they’re negative ionizers, and negative ionization is one of the most absurd air purification myths ever devised.

Why are Himalayan salt lamps bad for air quality?

Again, two words: negative ionization.

If you ever hear the words “ionization” (in one form or another) and “air purification” in the same sentence, you should run in the opposite direction.

In the context of air purification, negative ionization happens when negatively charged particles attach themselves, or “charge,” pollutant particles in the air, effectively removing them from ambient air by causing them to stick to nearby surfaces.

This phenomenon also occurs in nature – know that distinct smell in the air after a thunderstorm? That’s the result of “atmospheric space charge” as air ions are generated by the electric fields of storms.¹ Many air purifiers and purification devices sold in stores, including Himalayan salt lamps and a variety of “air ionizers,” artificially produce high voltage to achieve this same effect.

The problem with negative ionization, though, is that it doesn’t actually remove pollutants from your indoor air – it just causes the particles to adhere themselves to nearby surfaces, where they’re easily stirred up by indoor activities like dusting, vacuuming, and ventilation.

Charged particles can also stick to your respiratory tract, where charged particles can settle in your windpipe and lungs and cause even more harm that if they’d just remained in the air. Studies show that these particles can penetrate deep into your respiratory system and cause both heart and lung conditions.²

The average, nightstand-sized Himalayan salt lamp generates only a small number of negative ions into the air, so you may not notice any tangible change in your air quality or health, at least immediately. But these lamps can be huge: you can buy salt lamps that weight up to 300 pounds for thousands of dollars, and their ionization effects may have a more noticeable effect on your air, especially if you live in an airtight, energy-efficient home in which indoor pollutants have a much harder time getting out.

And negative ionizers have another dark secret: they can also create indoor ozone (O₃).

There are two main types of ozone:

\nStratospheric ozone: Alayer of ozone occurs naturally several miles up in the atmosphere, where it protects the surface of the earth (and people’s skin) from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
\nTropospheric ozone: Also called ground-level ozone or smog, ground-level ozone tends to develop when heat from sunlight reacts with chemicals near the ground, many of which are produced by emissions from vehicle exhaust and factory smoke.

Negative ionization can generate tropospheric ozone indoors. While stratospheric ozone has no interaction with us in the lower atmosphere, ground-level ozone is far more harmful when it builds up to high levels. And perhaps one of the starkest examples of ground-level ozone is one that millions of us know very well – the smog that forms in major cities during rush hour.

If you live near a freeway, dense urban center, or even at a high elevation where you can see the area around an urban area. A few hours or less after rush hour begins and the sun begins to rise, you’ll start to notice a visible layer of haze build up. This is ground-level ozone, and even though it’s a typical feature of modern life, extensive research shows that it causes a plethora of immediate symptoms, including:

Coughing
Wheezing
Trouble breathing
Stuffy nose
Dizziness
Tingling in arms and legs
Fever^3,4\n

Further research suggests that ozone is also responsible for long-term health problems, such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease. Emerging studies on rats also suggest that ozone could cause seizures and blindness.

So even though you may not get rush-hour levels of ozone in your home from a salt lamp, indoor ozone buildup can indeed cause some disruptive health effects if you don’t follow best practices for good Indoor Air Quality.

So what’s so special about Himalayan salt?

So how did someone come up with the idea that Himalayan salt lamps have any health effects at all?

The story stretches back millennia. Truly authentic Himalayan salt comes from the Khewra salt reserves in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Salt mined here is thought to be millions of years old and contain numerous minerals.

Salt lamps have been proposed for use in treatments for conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of their purported therapeutic effects on your respiratory system. This treatment even has a clinical term: halotherapy, based on an ages-old respiratory treatment technique known as speleotherapy. First used in Eastern Europe, speleotherapy consists of spending time in a salt cave, where four environmental conditions are thought to help reduce symptoms of respiratory illness:⁵

Stable air temperature
Moderate to high humidity
Presence of aerosol elements, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium
Lack of airborne pollutants

Halotherapy takes the notion that salt cave environments are good for respiratory health by having people inhale small amounts of salt particles that are released into the ambient air of a controlled room to “reproduce” a salt cave’s microclimate. But there’s no conclusive evidence that either speleotherapy or halotherapy actually relieve respiratory symptoms.⁶

Take the claims with a grain of...well, salt

So here’s the takeaway: We’re not saying you shouldn’t get a Himalayan salt lamp. Their dim glow can be quite soothing at night when you’re trying to fall asleep.

But they don’t purify air. And “air purifiers” that emits ions and ozone may make your indoor air quality worse, introduce new health problems, and exacerbate existing ones.

You can take many precautions to monitorand keep your indoor air clean, but buying a salt lamp isn’t one of them. Try these proven methods instead:

\nBe aware of your indoor air quality. The AirVisual Series consists of portable air quality monitors that use cutting-edge laser technology to give you real-time measurements of key pollutants, including particulate matter. AirVisual Series also provides 72-hour historical and forecast data so that you can know exactly when and why your indoor air quality changes.
\nControl sources of poor indoor air quality. If you’re thinking about buying a salt lamp to purify your air, chances are that you do have air quality issues that you may be able to do something about. The first step to improving your indoor indoor air quality is source control.This means eliminating individual sources of pollution or reducing their emissions.\n\n\t
- Regularly clean your HVAC system ducts. Install a whole-house air purifier into your HVAC system to reduce indoor pollutants by up to 95%.
- Replace water-damaged areas of your home to prevent mold and dust mites.
- Keep paints, solvents, and other chemicals in well-ventilated areas.
\n\n\t
\nVentilate your home. Let in fresh air regularly to lower the concentrations of indoor air pollutants. This is especially important if you live in an airtight, energy-efficient home in which indoor pollutants have nowhere to go and thus build up to dangerous levels.\n\n\t
- Open doors and windows when outdoor air quality is good.
- Use a range hood for your stove to capture gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cooking.
\n\n\t
\nUse an air purifier with HyperHEPA technology. The IQAir HealthPro Plusis the best air purifier for even the smallest pollutant particles, removing up to 99.5% of particulates down to 0.003 microns, like viruses and ultrafine particles from vehicle exhaust. The Atempersonal air purifier can also provide pure, pollutant-free air directly into your personal breathing zone.

Sure, a salt lamp can be a nice accessory and bring some calm into your home. But there’s plenty you can do to actually keep your indoor air clean and bring yourself some peace of mind knowing that your home is a clean air sanctuary.
\n\n

","himalayan-salt-lamp-debunked","gid://shopify/Article/606869356843","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/himalayan-salt-lamp-debunked","2019-06-17T13:49:29Z",[390,653,1407],"Himalayan salt lamps: Worth their salt?",{"_10":1442,"_243":1443,"_246":1444,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406288400758","Why are Himalayan salt lamps bad for air quality?","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_HimalayanSalt_061419_750_ebdb5244-3cb4-49a7-b887-47de5134ba96.jpg?v=1751543557",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1446,"_1115":1447,"_1131":1448,"_1133":1448,"_1134":1449,"_1136":1450,"_985":1451,"_10":1452,"_1140":1453,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1454,"_577":1455,"_541":1456,"_1147":1457},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Learn more how scented candles release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit — and can harm your health.","Are scented candles bad for you?Burning a scented candle is a popular way to create a pleasant ambiance at home. Scents such aslavender, jasmine, and sandalwood can be relaxing and invigorating. During the holidays, many people find the warm glow and aroma of pine, gingerbread, or cinnamon makes a room feel more festive.Unfortunately, most mass-produced scented candles can have a negative impact on indoor air quality. From the wax to the wick to the fragrance itself, the average scented candle can release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit.From the wax to the wick to the fragrance itself, the average scented candle can release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit.So while you and your family may enjoy the fragrance of scented candles in your home, they may be harmful to your health. Read on to learn why some candles are bad for you.Paraffin waxAre paraffin wax candles safe? In what way can wax be harmful?According to a 2017 study in the International Journal of Tropical Disease and Health, paraffin candles emit pollutants that can threaten human health and shouldn’t be burned in enclosed areas (1).Most candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. To create paraffin wax candles, petroleum waste is chemically bleached, deodorized, and made into wax. When burned, paraffin wax can release toxicvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, including known carcinogens like: alkenes acetone benzene toluene These are the same chemicals found in diesel fuel emissions and are known to cause allergies, asthma attacks, and skin problems.A 2005 study published by the University of South Florida showed that candles made of paraffin wax emit low levels of benzene even when they are not lit (2).Is burning candles bad for you?In addition to releasing toxic chemicals, burning paraffin wax produces soot composed of particulate matter such as, PM2.5 and ultrafine particles that can remain suspended in the air for hours. According to the University of South Florida study, ultrafine soot particles are similar to diesel exhaust in both their size and composition. They penetrate deeply into the lungs and are absorbed into the blood stream (3).A 2000 study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showed that soot emissions from candles are significantly higher after wax breakthrough occurs and when a candle is smoldering (4).Ultrafine particles are associated with severe health issues, including: allergies asthma COPD (5) respiratory tract infections heart attacks strokes cancer So, are candles bad for your health? Not all candles produce the same amount of air pollutants. A 2002 study published in theJournal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society found that soywax, much like beeswax candles, burned at a significantly lower rate and resulted in less soot than paraffin candles (6).Chemical fragrancesAnother problem with scented candles is that the chemicals they use to create a pleasing aroma are generally far from wholesome.Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous VOCs even at room temperature.Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous VOCs even at room temperature. Commonly emitted VOCs related to the scent in candles include (7): formaldehyde petroleum distillates limonene alcohol esters These harmful chemicals can cause health problems, such as: headaches dizziness allergy symptoms asthma attacks respiratory tract infections cancer Cored wicksMany candles have cored wicks made from cotton that are wrapped around a metal support. The design helps keep the wick from falling over into the wax. This is especially useful for scented candles because the fragrance oils soften the wax and allow non-cored wicks to go limp.Are candles toxic? If they have lead in them, possibly. Lead was once commonly used in cored candlewicks — especially in candles imported from overseas. However, after determining that these wicks could present a lead poisoning hazard to young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the manufacture and sale of all candles with lead-core wicks in 2003 (8). Zinc and tin have been used as a substitute since the ban.All metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when they are burned.However, all metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when they are burned. Wicks with zinc and tin cores can still release small amounts of lead particles (9,10).Safer alternativesTo limit soot stains and poor air quality in your home, you should avoid or restrict the use of candles (11).If you still crave the pleasant ambiance and aroma of scented candles, here are safer ways to scent the air: Use essential oils for fragrance.Essential oils can be placed in a diffuser or in bathwater to create a desired aroma. Simmer spices.Place spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water and let it simmer on the stove. Create potpourri.Dried items such as flowers, berries, fruit rinds, wood chips, and spices can be placed in bowls or fabric bags and placed around your home. The takeawayLighting scented candles may seem like a relaxing way to enjoy your home. But burning scented candles releases VOC pollutants and worsens your home’s indoor air quality. Although fragrances from safer alternatives like essential oils can be pleasant, trulyclean air smells like nothing at all.","

Are scented candles bad for you?

Burning a scented candle is a popular way to create a pleasant ambiance at home. Scents such aslavender, jasmine, and sandalwood can be relaxing and invigorating. During the holidays, many people find the warm glow and aroma of pine, gingerbread, or cinnamon makes a room feel more festive.

Unfortunately, most mass-produced scented candles can have a negative impact on indoor air quality. From the wax to the wick to the fragrance itself, the average scented candle can release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit.

From the wax to the wick to the fragrance itself, the average scented candle can release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit.

So while you and your family may enjoy the fragrance of scented candles in your home, they may be harmful to your health. Read on to learn why some candles are bad for you.

Paraffin wax

Are paraffin wax candles safe? In what way can wax be harmful?

According to a 2017 study in the International Journal of Tropical Disease and Health, paraffin candles emit pollutants that can threaten human health and shouldn’t be burned in enclosed areas (1).

Most candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. To create paraffin wax candles, petroleum waste is chemically bleached, deodorized, and made into wax. When burned, paraffin wax can release toxicvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, including known carcinogens like:

alkenes
acetone
benzene
toluene

These are the same chemicals found in diesel fuel emissions and are known to cause allergies, asthma attacks, and skin problems.

A 2005 study published by the University of South Florida showed that candles made of paraffin wax emit low levels of benzene even when they are not lit (2).

Is burning candles bad for you?

In addition to releasing toxic chemicals, burning paraffin wax produces soot composed of particulate matter such as, PM2.5 and ultrafine particles that can remain suspended in the air for hours. According to the University of South Florida study, ultrafine soot particles are similar to diesel exhaust in both their size and composition. They penetrate deeply into the lungs and are absorbed into the blood stream (3).

A 2000 study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showed that soot emissions from candles are significantly higher after wax breakthrough occurs and when a candle is smoldering (4).

Ultrafine particles are associated with severe health issues, including:

allergies
asthma
COPD (5)
respiratory tract infections
heart attacks
strokes
cancer

So, are candles bad for your health? Not all candles produce the same amount of air pollutants. A 2002 study published in theJournal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society found that soywax, much like beeswax candles, burned at a significantly lower rate and resulted in less soot than paraffin candles (6).

Chemical fragrances

Another problem with scented candles is that the chemicals they use to create a pleasing aroma are generally far from wholesome.

Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous VOCs even at room temperature.

Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous VOCs even at room temperature. Commonly emitted VOCs related to the scent in candles include (7):

formaldehyde
petroleum distillates
limonene
alcohol
esters

These harmful chemicals can cause health problems, such as:

headaches
dizziness
allergy symptoms
asthma attacks
respiratory tract infections
cancer
\n\n\t

Cored wicks

Many candles have cored wicks made from cotton that are wrapped around a metal support. The design helps keep the wick from falling over into the wax. This is especially useful for scented candles because the fragrance oils soften the wax and allow non-cored wicks to go limp.

Are candles toxic? If they have lead in them, possibly. Lead was once commonly used in cored candlewicks — especially in candles imported from overseas. However, after determining that these wicks could present a lead poisoning hazard to young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the manufacture and sale of all candles with lead-core wicks in 2003 (8). Zinc and tin have been used as a substitute since the ban.

All metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when they are burned.

However, all metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when they are burned. Wicks with zinc and tin cores can still release small amounts of lead particles (9,10).

Safer alternatives

To limit soot stains and poor air quality in your home, you should avoid or restrict the use of candles (11).

If you still crave the pleasant ambiance and aroma of scented candles, here are safer ways to scent the air:

\nUse essential oils for fragrance.Essential oils can be placed in a diffuser or in bathwater to create a desired aroma.
\nSimmer spices.Place spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water and let it simmer on the stove.
\nCreate potpourri.Dried items such as flowers, berries, fruit rinds, wood chips, and spices can be placed in bowls or fabric bags and placed around your home.

The takeaway

Lighting scented candles may seem like a relaxing way to enjoy your home. But burning scented candles releases VOC pollutants and worsens your home’s indoor air quality. Although fragrances from safer alternatives like essential oils can be pleasant, trulyclean air smells like nothing at all.

","hidden-dangers-scented-candles","gid://shopify/Article/606869127467","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/hidden-dangers-scented-candles","2016-12-04T22:35:53Z",[653,1407],"The hidden dangers of scented candles",{"_10":1458,"_243":1459,"_246":1460,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/405721284982","Two lit candles","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/49_scented_desktop_RE_3518d342-9492-4308-82e5-ee4111074a17.jpg?v=1749633010","successStories",[1463,1480,1497,1512],{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1464,"_1115":1465,"_1131":1466,"_1133":1467,"_1134":1468,"_1136":1469,"_985":1470,"_10":1471,"_1140":1472,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1473,"_577":1474,"_541":1475,"_1147":1476},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Discover how Tedy Mwendwa's air quality monitoring project in Nairobi is bridging critical gaps in Africa's air quality data. Learn more.","

Discover how Tedy Mwendwa's air quality monitoring project in Nairobi is bridging critical gaps in Africa's air quality data. Learn more.

","“Every day, I witness the severe impact of poor air quality on my community,” Tedy Mwendwa explained. “Using my expertise in electrical engineering, I felt compelled to create change.” In the heart of Africa, amidst bustling cities and vibrant rural landscapes, Mwendwa is pioneering a movement for cleaner air in Kenya. With a professional foundation in electrical engineering and a passion for environmental stewardship, Mwendwa's deployment of a low-cost air quality sensor in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, marks a pivotal step in revealing and addressing pollution and bridging critical gaps in Africa’s air quality data. Nairobi's leap towards cleaner air In late 2021, Mwendwa established an air quality station. Set up along one of Nairobi’s busy thoroughfares, the station gathers data on pollutants from sources like vehicular exhaust and biomass burning. \"It's about leveraging technology to unveil the hidden dangers of pollution.” “It's about leveraging technology to unveil the hidden dangers of pollution,” Mwendwa said. “Empowering our community with this data is crucial for driving action and advocating for sustainable solutions. Without data, we remain in the dark.” Local expertise, global resources drive innovation Building on the foundation of community-driven air monitoring, the project has taken a step forward. It now hosts East Africa’s first Monster Aerosol System (a platform that houses advanced aerosol analyzers), featuring a Time-of-Flight Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (TOF-ACSM). This technology provides real-time, high-resolution data on airborne particles—including nitrates, ammonium, and chlorides—uncovering the chemical fingerprints of pollution with unprecedented precision. Paired with a black carbon monitor, the system offers a comprehensive view of airborne composition and sources. These reference-grade instruments build on the project’s original IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitor—pairing community-level, real-time data with laboratory-grade chemical insight. The TOF-ACSM will help identify pollution sources—from mineral dust kicked up by unpaved roads and construction to organic aerosols tied to biomass burning and traffic emissions. It will also track seasonal and daily shifts in air quality, influenced by weather patterns and human activity. The initiative is expanding further with the deployment of GRIMM EDM 180 reference monitors across Nairobi, replacing older equipment to deliver faster, more accurate readings with minimal maintenance. In collaboration with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), these monitors will be placed along major highways and construction zones, ensuring data reflects the realities of urban life. These advancements are part of the NBO-CHEM Project (Nairobi Aerosol Chemistry and Monitoring Initiative), an effort funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and led by Prof. Daniel M. Westervelt, Dr. Godwin Opinde, and Tedy Mwendwa. By combining local expertise with state-of-the-art scientific resources, the project aims to transform how we understand air pollution in East Africa. The challenge of air quality monitoring in Africa The new additions to the project are heartening developments towards advancing air quality understanding in East Africa. Yet, despite the increasing efforts to monitor air quality globally, Africa remains one of the most underrepresented continents in terms of air quality data. According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report, there is only one monitoring station for every 3.7 million people. While coverage has expanded to include more African countries in recent years, there are still vast areas without sufficient data. For example, countries like Niger and Sudan remain without publicly available monitoring data.Air pollution is a major health threat, causing an estimated seven million premature deaths worldwide each year. Without accurate data, it is challenging to address the sources and impacts of air pollution effectively. Grassroots efforts like Mwendwa's are crucial in filling these data gaps, providing models for further projects and inspiring broader initiatives. Harnessing technology for a healthier tomorrow Utilizing an AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitor, Mwendwa’s station gathers critical real-time data. “The AirVisual sensor was easy to deploy and requires little maintenance, even in our somewhat extreme conditions with limited resources,” he said.The project, though small, is already making a difference in the community. “By sharing a link to the AirVisual Platform and using the app, we can easily get our data to students nationwide, enabling them to conduct their own research on pollution,” he said. The data has also been used to inform parents with small children of the effects of poor air quality. \"They need to understand that this data can help give them a better life,\" Mwendwa said. Cultivating environmental consciousness Mwendwa envisions a future where air quality stations span Africa, fostering a culture of environmental awareness and proactive health management. “The data my station is gathering empowers students to conduct community research, highlighting pollution's impact and fostering greater understanding,” he said. “This awareness can significantly influence the general population.\"Mwendwa plans further collaborations with local governments, communities, and international bodies, with this initial project laying a foundation for sustainable environmental policies and practices. “Our goal is to illuminate the unseen threats of pollution through technology,” he said. “Providing our community, and beyond, with this data, equips them to advocate for sustainable solutions essential for a healthier future. Without data, we are navigating blindly.” “Providing our community with this data equips them to advocate for sustainable solutions essential for a healthier future.” Conclusion From a low-cost sensor to a full NBO-CHEM reference hybrid network, Mwendwa’s project shows how local leadership and modern tools can accelerate Kenya’s clean-air progress. The project is an invitation to communities and policymakers to engage in a similar quest for healthier environments.Mwendwa's efforts symbolize more than geographic growth—they embody the momentum of a global movement dedicated to clean air. His work exemplifies uniting technology, data, and collective engagement to tackle one of our era's most pressing challenges.Achieving cleaner air is a communal endeavor, demanding innovation and cooperation. Mwendwa's project is a rallying cry to all, inviting participation in crafting a healthier, sustainable future for generations to come.","

“Every day, I witness the severe impact of poor air quality on my community,” Tedy Mwendwa explained. “Using my expertise in electrical engineering, I felt compelled to create change.”

In the heart of Africa, amidst bustling cities and vibrant rural landscapes, Mwendwa is pioneering a movement for cleaner air in Kenya. With a professional foundation in electrical engineering and a passion for environmental stewardship, Mwendwa's deployment of a low-cost air quality sensor in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, marks a pivotal step in revealing and addressing pollution and bridging critical gaps in Africa’s air quality data.

Nairobi's leap towards cleaner air

In late 2021, Mwendwa established an air quality station. Set up along one of Nairobi’s busy thoroughfares, the station gathers data on pollutants from sources like vehicular exhaust and biomass burning.

\"It's about leveraging technology to unveil the hidden dangers of pollution.”

“It's about leveraging technology to unveil the hidden dangers of pollution,” Mwendwa said. “Empowering our community with this data is crucial for driving action and advocating for sustainable solutions. Without data, we remain in the dark.”

Local expertise, global resources drive innovation

Building on the foundation of community-driven air monitoring, the project has taken a step forward. It now hosts East Africa’s first Monster Aerosol System (a platform that houses advanced aerosol analyzers), featuring a Time-of-Flight Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (TOF-ACSM). This technology provides real-time, high-resolution data on airborne particles—including nitrates, ammonium, and chlorides—uncovering the chemical fingerprints of pollution with unprecedented precision. Paired with a black carbon monitor, the system offers a comprehensive view of airborne composition and sources. These reference-grade instruments build on the project’s original IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitor—pairing community-level, real-time data with laboratory-grade chemical insight.

The TOF-ACSM will help identify pollution sources—from mineral dust kicked up by unpaved roads and construction to organic aerosols tied to biomass burning and traffic emissions. It will also track seasonal and daily shifts in air quality, influenced by weather patterns and human activity.

The initiative is expanding further with the deployment of GRIMM EDM 180 reference monitors across Nairobi, replacing older equipment to deliver faster, more accurate readings with minimal maintenance. In collaboration with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), these monitors will be placed along major highways and construction zones, ensuring data reflects the realities of urban life.

These advancements are part of the NBO-CHEM Project (Nairobi Aerosol Chemistry and Monitoring Initiative), an effort funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and led by Prof. Daniel M. Westervelt, Dr. Godwin Opinde, and Tedy Mwendwa.

By combining local expertise with state-of-the-art scientific resources, the project aims to transform how we understand air pollution in East Africa.

The challenge of air quality monitoring in Africa

The new additions to the project are heartening developments towards advancing air quality understanding in East Africa. Yet, despite the increasing efforts to monitor air quality globally, Africa remains one of the most underrepresented continents in terms of air quality data. According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report , there is only one monitoring station for every 3.7 million people.

While coverage has expanded to include more African countries in recent years, there are still vast areas without sufficient data. For example, countries like Niger and Sudan remain without publicly available monitoring data.

Air pollution is a major health threat, causing an estimated seven million premature deaths worldwide each year. Without accurate data, it is challenging to address the sources and impacts of air pollution effectively. Grassroots efforts like Mwendwa's are crucial in filling these data gaps, providing models for further projects and inspiring broader initiatives.

Harnessing technology for a healthier tomorrow

Utilizing an AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitor, Mwendwa’s station gathers critical real-time data. “The AirVisual sensor was easy to deploy and requires little maintenance, even in our somewhat extreme conditions with limited resources,” he said.

The project, though small, is already making a difference in the community. “By sharing a link to the AirVisual Platform and using the app, we can easily get our data to students nationwide, enabling them to conduct their own research on pollution,” he said. The data has also been used to inform parents with small children of the effects of poor air quality. \"They need to understand that this data can help give them a better life,\" Mwendwa said.

Cultivating environmental consciousness

Mwendwa envisions a future where air quality stations span Africa, fostering a culture of environmental awareness and proactive health management. “The data my station is gathering empowers students to conduct community research, highlighting pollution's impact and fostering greater understanding,” he said. “This awareness can significantly influence the general population.\"

Mwendwa plans further collaborations with local governments, communities, and international bodies, with this initial project laying a foundation for sustainable environmental policies and practices. “Our goal is to illuminate the unseen threats of pollution through technology,” he said. “Providing our community, and beyond, with this data, equips them to advocate for sustainable solutions essential for a healthier future. Without data, we are navigating blindly.”

“Providing our community with this data equips them to advocate for sustainable solutions essential for a healthier future.”

Conclusion

From a low-cost sensor to a full NBO-CHEM reference hybrid network, Mwendwa’s project shows how local leadership and modern tools can accelerate Kenya’s clean-air progress. The project is an invitation to communities and policymakers to engage in a similar quest for healthier environments.

Mwendwa's efforts symbolize more than geographic growth—they embody the momentum of a global movement dedicated to clean air. His work exemplifies uniting technology, data, and collective engagement to tackle one of our era's most pressing challenges.

Achieving cleaner air is a communal endeavor, demanding innovation and cooperation. Mwendwa's project is a rallying cry to all, inviting participation in crafting a healthier, sustainable future for generations to come.

","revealing-the-invisible-kenya","gid://shopify/Article/607976751403","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-kenya","2025-12-01T04:00:00Z",[648,838],"Revealing the Invisible: Boosting air quality awareness in Kenya",{"_10":1477,"_243":1478,"_246":1479,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411421278582","Nairobi-city-smog","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_Revamp_Kenya_Clean_Air_Desktop_4f1dd00b-baa3-4e27-9eed-3acd42f2faae.jpg?v=1767630558",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1481,"_1115":1482,"_1131":1483,"_1133":1484,"_1134":1485,"_1136":1486,"_985":1487,"_10":1488,"_1140":1489,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1490,"_577":1491,"_541":1492,"_1147":1493},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"WWF Pakistan is tackling air pollution with IQAir. Learn how real-time data is driving change across the country.","

WWF Pakistan is tackling air pollution with IQAir. Learn how real-time data is driving change across the country.

","In Pakistan, severe air pollution silently impacts public health and well-being nationwide. Yet, due to a dire lack of air quality data, air quality monitors, and public awareness, the scale of the threat remains largely unseen. In 2024, Pakistan was the third most polluted country in the world, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 73.7 μg/m3 and exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline of 5 μg/m3 by 14.7 times. Numerous cities experienced poor air quality, with high average PM2.5 concentrations measured for Islamabad (52.4 μg/m3), Rawalpindi (65.8 μg/m3), Faisalabad (88.8 μg/m3), Peshawar (91.0 μg/m3), and Lahore (102.1 μg/m3) – all exceeding the WHO recommended guideline by ten times or more. Recognizing the urgency of this crisis, WWF-Pakistan has taken significant steps to address air pollution using IQAir’s air quality monitoring technology. WWF-Pakistan has successfully deployed stations across Pakistan and published data to IQAir’s AirVisual platform, establishing the country’s largest air quality monitoring network. With this initiative, WWF-Pakistan is transforming how the country understands and confronts this invisible threat. \"We have successfully reached the goal of installing AirVisual Outdoor sensors in 15 of our offices across Pakistan,\" said WWF-Pakistan’s Research Officer, Muhammad Huzaifa who led this initiative in Pakistan. As of now, WWF-Pakistan has air monitoring stations located in key regions like Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Multan, and Peshawar. They provide real-time data that is accessible to both policymakers and the public. \"We are excited to say that we’ve published the data from these stations to IQAir’s platform, where communities can see their local air quality in real-time.” Why Pakistan Needs Reliable Air Quality Data Pakistan's urban centers, such as Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi, frequently grapple with thick layers of smog. While this is a visible reminder of air pollution, the more dangerous pollutants often remain unseen and unmonitored. One of the greatest challenges in Pakistan has been the need for more reliable, public air quality data. \"Our air quality network provides crucial air quality data in some of Pakistan’s most polluted regions and are often ranked among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world\" Huzaifa explained. WWF-Pakistan, the nation’s largest environmental organization, has been addressing critical environmental issues since 1970. Originally focused on protecting wildlife and ecosystems, the organization’s scope has broadened to include tackling climate change, protecting vulnerable habitats, and securing vital resources like freshwater. Now, through their air quality monitoring initiative, they are addressing one of the most pressing health and environmental crises facing Pakistan. “Unfortunately, there is little public air quality data available,” Huzaifa noted. “This information vacuum has left policymakers and citizens unprepared to tackle the pollution crisis.” WWF-Pakistan’s initiative helps fill this gap, ensuring the public has access to real-time, localized air quality data. With real-time data now available, citizens, governments, and policymakers can work together to implement solutions, reduce pollution and improve health outcomes across the country. Building Pakistan's National Air Quality Network WWF-Pakistan’s initiative, which involves installing air quality sensors in key cities across the country, marks a critical step in Pakistan’s battle against air pollution. By coordinating 15 monitoring stations under one national initiative, WWF-Pakistan now operates the country’s largest organized air quality monitoring network, making real-time data accessible to both citizens and policymakers. Partnering with IQAir adds both credibility and precision to the project. \"IQAir's AirVisual air quality monitors are globally recognized for their accuracy and ability to track even the smallest fluctuations in air quality,\" said Huzaifa. \"IQAir's technology is built to withstand all sorts of weather and having it in place ensures that people will trust the data.\" This transparency is essential for mobilizing both community efforts and policy interventions, as reliable information is crucial to driving meaningful change. Using Air Quality Data to Combat Pollution in Pakistan With the sensors online and data flowing into the IQAir platform, WWF-Pakistan's live contributor profile showcases the impact of their work, allowing anyone to monitor air quality in real-time. This transparency empowers citizens and policymakers alike to take informed action, using reliable data to drive meaningful change across the country. Explore WWF-Pakistan’s profile to see the live data from their monitoring stations across Pakistan. \"Data isn’t just a tool for awareness—it’s the foundation for meaningful action,\" Nazifa Butt, Director Climate Action and Sustainability WWF-Pakistan emphasized. “Now that we have the data, we have something to report and base our decisions on.” Nazifa emphasized the importance of storytelling. “We’re going to have to tell two parts of the story,” she explained, pointing out how data can not only expose alarming trends but also inspire communities to push for change—through policies, advocacy, and local initiatives. With 18,800 followers across its national network, WWF-Pakistan is sharing that data every day with citizens who urgently need real-time air quality information to help protect themselves from pollution. Pakistan's Long-Term Pollution Solutions WWF-Pakistan envisions a future where every region of the country has access to real-time, accurate air quality data. \"Each sensor we deploy is a step closer to a healthier, more sustainable Pakistan,\" Nazifa explained. By providing access to this data, WWF-Pakistan aims to foster a culture of proactive health management, where individuals and communities can take the steps necessary to protect themselves from pollution. The air quality data being gathered is more than just numbers—it’s a lifeline for communities struggling with the dangers of polluted air. “Our initiative is laying the foundation for a National Clean Air Research Centre,\" Huzaifa said. \"This will be a hub for research and data-driven policies, enabling us to tackle pollution with innovative strategies.\" “Each sensor we deploy is a step closer to a healthier, more sustainable Pakistan.” In October 2024, WWF-Pakistan warned that Lahore’s air quality posed a terrible threat to public health, recommending a number of changes to government policy including helping farmers manage crop waste, expanding mass transit, and improving zoning laws to reduce industrial pollution away from residents. It also noted that low-cost air quality monitoring systems could be used to uncover air pollution hotspots along traffic routes. Armed with that information, governments could restrict heavy transport vehicles or develop alternate routes to avoid congestion (1). Beyond their air quality monitoring project, the WWF-Pakistan team oversees more than 60 active environmental protection initiatives in FY 2025 across the country, ranging from clean water access and forest preservation to sustainable infrastructure development. These efforts, working in tandem with the air quality monitoring network, are all part of WWF's broader mission to protect the planet's natural environment and create a future where both people and nature can thrive in harmony. Conclusion WWF-Pakistan's initiative is a testament to the transformative power of air quality data, technology, and collective will in addressing one of today’s most pressing challenges. And by increasing the footprint of air quality monitors across the country, innovative solutions to persistent pollution problems can be put into play. As this vital work advances, it invites everyone to contribute to the cause—because in the fight for clean air, every voice and every action matters. “This initiative,” Nazifa said, “lays the foundation for what we envision as Pakistan’s future air quality innovation hub. It will serve as a hub for developing strategies and methods to tackle air pollution, aligning efforts across governmental and non-governmental sectors, both locally and internationally, in the fight against climate change.”","

In Pakistan, severe air pollution silently impacts public health and well-being nationwide. Yet, due to a dire lack of air quality data, air quality monitors, and public awareness, the scale of the threat remains largely unseen.

In 2024, Pakistan was the third most polluted country in the world, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 73.7 μg/m3 and exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline of 5 μg/m3 by 14.7 times. Numerous cities experienced poor air quality, with high average PM2.5 concentrations measured for Islamabad (52.4 μg/m3), Rawalpindi (65.8 μg/m3), Faisalabad (88.8 μg/m3), Peshawar (91.0 μg/m3), and Lahore (102.1 μg/m3) – all exceeding the WHO recommended guideline by ten times or more.

Recognizing the urgency of this crisis, WWF-Pakistan has taken significant steps to address air pollution using IQAir’s air quality monitoring technology. WWF-Pakistan has successfully deployed stations across Pakistan and published data to IQAir’s AirVisual platform, establishing the country’s largest air quality monitoring network. With this initiative, WWF-Pakistan is transforming how the country understands and confronts this invisible threat.

\"We have successfully reached the goal of installing AirVisual Outdoor sensors in 15 of our offices across Pakistan,\" said WWF-Pakistan’s Research Officer, Muhammad Huzaifa who led this initiative in Pakistan.

As of now, WWF-Pakistan has air monitoring stations located in key regions like Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Multan, and Peshawar. They provide real-time data that is accessible to both policymakers and the public. \"We are excited to say that we’ve published the data from these stations to IQAir’s platform, where communities can see their local air quality in real-time.”

Why Pakistan Needs Reliable Air Quality Data

Pakistan's urban centers, such as Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi, frequently grapple with thick layers of smog. While this is a visible reminder of air pollution, the more dangerous pollutants often remain unseen and unmonitored. One of the greatest challenges in Pakistan has been the need for more reliable, public air quality data.

\"Our air quality network provides crucial air quality data in some of Pakistan’s most polluted regions and are often ranked among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world\" Huzaifa explained.

WWF-Pakistan, the nation’s largest environmental organization, has been addressing critical environmental issues since 1970. Originally focused on protecting wildlife and ecosystems, the organization’s scope has broadened to include tackling climate change, protecting vulnerable habitats, and securing vital resources like freshwater. Now, through their air quality monitoring initiative, they are addressing one of the most pressing health and environmental crises facing Pakistan.

“Unfortunately, there is little public air quality data available,” Huzaifa noted. “This information vacuum has left policymakers and citizens unprepared to tackle the pollution crisis.” WWF-Pakistan’s initiative helps fill this gap, ensuring the public has access to real-time, localized air quality data.

With real-time data now available, citizens, governments, and policymakers can work together to implement solutions, reduce pollution and improve health outcomes across the country.

Building Pakistan's National Air Quality Network

WWF-Pakistan’s initiative, which involves installing air quality sensors in key cities across the country, marks a critical step in Pakistan’s battle against air pollution. By coordinating 15 monitoring stations under one national initiative, WWF-Pakistan now operates the country’s largest organized air quality monitoring network, making real-time data accessible to both citizens and policymakers.

Partnering with IQAir adds both credibility and precision to the project. \"IQAir's AirVisual air quality monitors are globally recognized for their accuracy and ability to track even the smallest fluctuations in air quality,\" said Huzaifa. \"IQAir's technology is built to withstand all sorts of weather and having it in place ensures that people will trust the data.\" This transparency is essential for mobilizing both community efforts and policy interventions, as reliable information is crucial to driving meaningful change.

Using Air Quality Data to Combat Pollution in Pakistan

With the sensors online and data flowing into the IQAir platform, WWF-Pakistan's live contributor profile showcases the impact of their work, allowing anyone to monitor air quality in real-time. This transparency empowers citizens and policymakers alike to take informed action, using reliable data to drive meaningful change across the country. Explore WWF-Pakistan’s profile to see the live data from their monitoring stations across Pakistan.

\"Data isn’t just a tool for awareness—it’s the foundation for meaningful action,\" Nazifa Butt, Director Climate Action and Sustainability WWF-Pakistan emphasized. “Now that we have the data, we have something to report and base our decisions on.”

Nazifa emphasized the importance of storytelling. “We’re going to have to tell two parts of the story,” she explained, pointing out how data can not only expose alarming trends but also inspire communities to push for change—through policies, advocacy, and local initiatives.

With 18,800 followers across its national network, WWF-Pakistan is sharing that data every day with citizens who urgently need real-time air quality information to help protect themselves from pollution.

Pakistan's Long-Term Pollution Solutions

WWF-Pakistan envisions a future where every region of the country has access to real-time, accurate air quality data.

\"Each sensor we deploy is a step closer to a healthier, more sustainable Pakistan,\" Nazifa explained. By providing access to this data, WWF-Pakistan aims to foster a culture of proactive health management, where individuals and communities can take the steps necessary to protect themselves from pollution.

The air quality data being gathered is more than just numbers—it’s a lifeline for communities struggling with the dangers of polluted air. “Our initiative is laying the foundation for a National Clean Air Research Centre,\" Huzaifa said. \"This will be a hub for research and data-driven policies, enabling us to tackle pollution with innovative strategies.\"

“Each sensor we deploy is a step closer to a healthier, more sustainable Pakistan.”

In October 2024, WWF-Pakistan warned that Lahore’s air quality posed a terrible threat to public health, recommending a number of changes to government policy including helping farmers manage crop waste, expanding mass transit, and improving zoning laws to reduce industrial pollution away from residents.

It also noted that low-cost air quality monitoring systems could be used to uncover air pollution hotspots along traffic routes. Armed with that information, governments could restrict heavy transport vehicles or develop alternate routes to avoid congestion (1).

Beyond their air quality monitoring project, the WWF-Pakistan team oversees more than 60 active environmental protection initiatives in FY 2025 across the country, ranging from clean water access and forest preservation to sustainable infrastructure development. These efforts, working in tandem with the air quality monitoring network, are all part of WWF's broader mission to protect the planet's natural environment and create a future where both people and nature can thrive in harmony.

Conclusion

WWF-Pakistan's initiative is a testament to the transformative power of air quality data, technology, and collective will in addressing one of today’s most pressing challenges. And by increasing the footprint of air quality monitors across the country, innovative solutions to persistent pollution problems can be put into play.

As this vital work advances, it invites everyone to contribute to the cause—because in the fight for clean air, every voice and every action matters.

“This initiative,” Nazifa said, “lays the foundation for what we envision as Pakistan’s future air quality innovation hub. It will serve as a hub for developing strategies and methods to tackle air pollution, aligning efforts across governmental and non-governmental sectors, both locally and internationally, in the fight against climate change.”

","revealing-the-invisible-wwf-pakistan","gid://shopify/Article/997495079286","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-wwf-pakistan","2025-11-12T17:43:03Z",[643,648,838],"Revealing the Invisible: WWF-Pakistan’s mission for clean air",{"_10":1494,"_243":1495,"_246":1496,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/410126352758","WWF Team standing Next to Solar Panel","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_PakistanContributor_Desk_A_a18d7b5d-29f7-4e70-ad5d-e0c4f15aebc6.jpg?v=1762969386",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1498,"_1115":1499,"_1131":43,"_1133":43,"_1134":1500,"_1136":1501,"_985":1502,"_10":1503,"_1140":1504,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1505,"_577":1506,"_541":1507,"_1147":1508},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"In the slender West African nation of Gambia, Dr. Sunkaru Touray of Permian Health Lung Institute is leading an unprecedented initiative to illuminate the invisible dangers of air pollution through the strategic deployment of low-cost air quality monitors. A vision born from necessity Dr. Touray, a pulmonologist and critical care physician originally from Kartong, The Gambia, was profoundly affected by the respiratory issues he encountered while practicing in New Mexico. These issues, often linked to hydrocarbon exposure and environmental pollutants, spurred him to address similar problems in Gambia, where air quality data is scarce. \"There's a significant data gap in Africa when it comes to understanding our air,\" Dr. Touray noted. Recognizing the parallels between New Mexico and Gambia, Dr. Touray envisioned the Permian Health Clean Air Initiative. This initiative aims not only to collect data but to empower Gambians with knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air. “There’s a significant data gap in Africa when it comes to understanding our air.” –Dr. Sunkaru Touray, Founder, Permian Health The journey of Permian Health Permian Health's mission is clear: to democratize access to air quality data in Gambia by installing low-cost air quality monitors throughout the country. The team selected IQAir’s AirVisual outdoor monitors for this critical work. “These devices are proven to be reliable, user-friendly, and can operate on solar power,” Dr. Touray said. “They also have 4G LTE connectivity,” which make the monitors ideally suited for Gambia's diverse environments—from the bustling streets of Banjul to the rural countryside. \"The goal,\" Dr. Touray explained, \"is not just to collect data but to empower our communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air.\" Highlighting areas of concern: Brikama’s air quality Brikama stands as a poignant example of the challenges faced across Gambia. Known for its bustling markets and as a hub for both commerce and community life, the town also grapples with air quality issues that pose risks to its residents. By placing monitors in strategic locations, including the busy highway through Brikama, Permian Health is mapping pollution levels and raising awareness among the local population about the air they breathe daily—while simultaneously acting as a testament to the potential of grassroots air monitoring networks in challenging regions. Dr. Touray said, \"As we look to the future, the lessons learned from Brikama will inform our expansion strategies to other regions facing similar challenges. Our success in achieving nationwide coverage, with Brikama as a keystone in our network, exemplifies the scalable model of Permian Health Clean Air Initiative.” “The goal is not to just collect the data but to empower our communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health.” Local feedback has been largely positive. According to Dr. Touray, real-time access to air quality monitor information has improved local understanding of the dangers of poor air quality, especially during the dry, dusty Harmattan season typically experienced from November to March. Permian Health has collaborated with local groups such as the Brikama Nema Diaspora Group (BRIND) and Karamie’s Health clinic to install sensors in key areas, allowing residents and medical professionals to access real-time air quality data. Pioneering work on the ground To date, the Permian Health air quality network has grown to 14 sensors, achieving nationwide coverage with an air quality sensor in all regions of The Gambia—proof of the project's rapid scalability and success. The project has successfully installed air quality monitors in various locations, including urban areas and industrial sites. These monitors provide real-time data on pollutants like PM2.5, which pose the greatest threat to human health, offering invaluable insights into the air pollution across different regions of Gambia. \"We have sensors in the most densely populated areas,” Dr. Touray said. \"Through the process of collecting PM 2.5 data in Gambia and identifying pollution hotspots, we educate the public about air quality and its impact on public health—and also communicate the importance of installing air quality sensors as a means to make a change.\" This foundational work sets the stage for enhanced accuracy and credibility in air quality monitoring, as underscored by a pivotal development in the project's journey. “The recent addition of a reference-grade monitor donated by MetOne marks a significant leap in our capacity for precision and validation of the data collected by our existing sensor network,” Dr. Touray said. However, maintaining and expanding the network can be impeded by dust accumulation on solar panels during the Harmattan season, unreliable power supplies, and other issues. ‘While we have made significant progress in addressing some of these challenges, connectivity and maintenance in remote areas remain ongoing hurdles in our efforts to maintain and expand the sensor network efficiently,’ Dr. Touray explained. Uniting minds and garnering accolades To raise awareness about their work, Permian Health has created a promotional video which serves as a powerful tool to inform and engage the public about their project. A key milestone for the project was the establishment of the first air quality conference in Gambia, bringing together stakeholders from the government, academia, and civil society to discuss the findings and implications of the collected data. \"This conference was a pivotal moment for us, marking the beginning of a national conversation on air quality,\" reflects Dr. Touray. This national conversation is already making a policy impact. The Ministry of Health has issued public health advisories several times since the air quality sensors were deployed, raising air quality awareness in communities around the country. Dr. Touray emphasizes the importance of partnering with the Gambian government to leverage their data for national air quality standards and planning. \"Working closely with governmental bodies is crucial for our success,\" Dr. Touray notes, highlighting his strong connections within the National Environment Agency, which have been supportive of their endeavors. With the NEA, Permian Health was able to release their first air quality report based on initial installations. This sets the table for future updates from newly installed sensors. Additionally, the project's recent recognition by the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago with an Air Quality Award underscores the global acknowledgment of their impactful work. This prestigious award will enable Permian Health to scale their network further. Currently, there are 22 low-cost sensors deployed, and Gambia will, for the first time ever, have a reference monitor to assist in enhancing air quality monitoring and assessment. Hopes for the Future Thanks to their recent Air Quality award, Permian Health acquired an additional 10 sensors, bringing the total to 26 sensors across The Gambia. Six new sensors have been deployed to NEA headquarters, two major health centers with support from the Ministry of Health, and in housing developments in partnership with Gambia’s largest real estate company, TAF Africa Global. The remaining sensors will be deployed to the National Stadium, Gambia International Airport, the Seaport in Banjul, and a major intersection as soon as final government approvals are processed. Dr. Touray envisions a future where every Gambian has access to air quality information, enabling them to protect themselves and their families from air pollution. Furthermore, he hopes to leverage the data collected to advocate for stronger environmental policies and regulations in Gambia. “We’re not just collecting data for the sake of it. We want to drive change.” \"We're not just collecting data for the sake of it. We want to drive change,\" says Dr. Touray. \"Our ultimate goal is for Gambia to set national air quality standards, informed by the comprehensive data we've gathered.\" A key step toward this goal is the second Clean Air Conference, which Permian Health is organizing in partnership with the NEA. The event will bring together stakeholders, including officials from the ministries of Health, Environment, Transport, and Education, to develop a national air quality work plan. According to Dr. Touray, Permian Health is conducting an inventory assessment to determine the key sources of pollution, such as waste burning, reliance on charcoal and firewood for cooking, and transport-related emissions. \"Looking ahead, we aim to strengthen our collaboration with the NEA and the Ministry of Health, to expand and maintain our sensor network.\" \"We plan to enhance public awareness campaigns, especially during high-risk periods, to better inform the community about air quality concerns. We would also like to engage more with local TV stations for them to display air quality and weather information from our network. Conclusion Dr. Sunkaru Touray's work with Permian Health exemplifies innovative activism. The project not only addresses air quality data gaps but also empowers communities to tackle air pollution—an issue that transcends borders. Dr. Touray's mission goes beyond air quality monitoring; it's about transforming the quality of public health around the world.","

In the slender West African nation of Gambia, Dr. Sunkaru Touray of Permian Health Lung Institute is leading an unprecedented initiative to illuminate the invisible dangers of air pollution through the strategic deployment of low-cost air quality monitors.

A vision born from necessity

Dr. Touray, a pulmonologist and critical care physician originally from Kartong, The Gambia, was profoundly affected by the respiratory issues he encountered while practicing in New Mexico. These issues, often linked to hydrocarbon exposure and environmental pollutants, spurred him to address similar problems in Gambia, where air quality data is scarce. \"There's a significant data gap in Africa when it comes to understanding our air,\" Dr. Touray noted.

Recognizing the parallels between New Mexico and Gambia, Dr. Touray envisioned the Permian Health Clean Air Initiative. This initiative aims not only to collect data but to empower Gambians with knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air.

\n
“There’s a significant data gap in Africa when it comes to understanding our air.”
\n
–Dr. Sunkaru Touray, Founder, Permian Health
\n

The journey of Permian Health

Permian Health's mission is clear: to democratize access to air quality data in Gambia by installing low-cost air quality monitors throughout the country. The team selected IQAir’s AirVisual outdoor monitors for this critical work. “These devices are proven to be reliable, user-friendly, and can operate on solar power,” Dr. Touray said. “They also have 4G LTE connectivity,” which make the monitors ideally suited for Gambia's diverse environments—from the bustling streets of Banjul to the rural countryside.

\"The goal,\" Dr. Touray explained, \"is not just to collect data but to empower our communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air.\"

Highlighting areas of concern: Brikama’s air quality

Brikama stands as a poignant example of the challenges faced across Gambia. Known for its bustling markets and as a hub for both commerce and community life, the town also grapples with air quality issues that pose risks to its residents. By placing monitors in strategic locations, including the busy highway through Brikama, Permian Health is mapping pollution levels and raising awareness among the local population about the air they breathe daily—while simultaneously acting as a testament to the potential of grassroots air monitoring networks in challenging regions.

$\"\"$

Dr. Touray said, \"As we look to the future, the lessons learned from Brikama will inform our expansion strategies to other regions facing similar challenges. Our success in achieving nationwide coverage, with Brikama as a keystone in our network, exemplifies the scalable model of Permian Health Clean Air Initiative.”

\n
“The goal is not to just collect the data but to empower our communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health.”
\n

Local feedback has been largely positive. According to Dr. Touray, real-time access to air quality monitor information has improved local understanding of the dangers of poor air quality, especially during the dry, dusty Harmattan season typically experienced from November to March.

Permian Health has collaborated with local groups such as the Brikama Nema Diaspora Group (BRIND) and Karamie’s Health clinic to install sensors in key areas, allowing residents and medical professionals to access real-time air quality data.

Pioneering work on the ground

To date, the Permian Health air quality network has grown to 14 sensors, achieving nationwide coverage with an air quality sensor in all regions of The Gambia—proof of the project's rapid scalability and success. The project has successfully installed air quality monitors in various locations, including urban areas and industrial sites. These monitors provide real-time data on pollutants like PM2.5, which pose the greatest threat to human health, offering invaluable insights into the air pollution across different regions of Gambia. \"We have sensors in the most densely populated areas,” Dr. Touray said. \"Through the process of collecting PM 2.5 data in Gambia and identifying pollution hotspots, we educate the public about air quality and its impact on public health—and also communicate the importance of installing air quality sensors as a means to make a change.\"

This foundational work sets the stage for enhanced accuracy and credibility in air quality monitoring, as underscored by a pivotal development in the project's journey. “The recent addition of a reference-grade monitor donated by MetOne marks a significant leap in our capacity for precision and validation of the data collected by our existing sensor network,” Dr. Touray said.

However, maintaining and expanding the network can be impeded by dust accumulation on solar panels during the Harmattan season, unreliable power supplies, and other issues.

‘While we have made significant progress in addressing some of these challenges, connectivity and maintenance in remote areas remain ongoing hurdles in our efforts to maintain and expand the sensor network efficiently,’ Dr. Touray explained.

Uniting minds and garnering accolades

To raise awareness about their work, Permian Health has created a promotional video which serves as a powerful tool to inform and engage the public about their project.

A key milestone for the project was the establishment of the first air quality conference in Gambia, bringing together stakeholders from the government, academia, and civil society to discuss the findings and implications of the collected data.

\"This conference was a pivotal moment for us, marking the beginning of a national conversation on air quality,\" reflects Dr. Touray.

This national conversation is already making a policy impact. The Ministry of Health has issued public health advisories several times since the air quality sensors were deployed, raising air quality awareness in communities around the country.

Dr. Touray emphasizes the importance of partnering with the Gambian government to leverage their data for national air quality standards and planning. \"Working closely with governmental bodies is crucial for our success,\" Dr. Touray notes, highlighting his strong connections within the National Environment Agency, which have been supportive of their endeavors.

With the NEA, Permian Health was able to release their first air quality report based on initial installations. This sets the table for future updates from newly installed sensors.

Additionally, the project's recent recognition by the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago with an Air Quality Award underscores the global acknowledgment of their impactful work. This prestigious award will enable Permian Health to scale their network further.

Currently, there are 22 low-cost sensors deployed, and Gambia will, for the first time ever, have a reference monitor to assist in enhancing air quality monitoring and assessment.

Hopes for the Future

Thanks to their recent Air Quality award, Permian Health acquired an additional 10 sensors, bringing the total to 26 sensors across The Gambia.

$\"\"$

Six new sensors have been deployed to NEA headquarters, two major health centers with support from the Ministry of Health, and in housing developments in partnership with Gambia’s largest real estate company, TAF Africa Global. The remaining sensors will be deployed to the National Stadium, Gambia International Airport, the Seaport in Banjul, and a major intersection as soon as final government approvals are processed.

Dr. Touray envisions a future where every Gambian has access to air quality information, enabling them to protect themselves and their families from air pollution. Furthermore, he hopes to leverage the data collected to advocate for stronger environmental policies and regulations in Gambia.

\n
“We’re not just collecting data for the sake of it. We want to drive change.”
\n

\"We're not just collecting data for the sake of it. We want to drive change,\" says Dr. Touray. \"Our ultimate goal is for Gambia to set national air quality standards, informed by the comprehensive data we've gathered.\"

A key step toward this goal is the second Clean Air Conference, which Permian Health is organizing in partnership with the NEA. The event will bring together stakeholders, including officials from the ministries of Health, Environment, Transport, and Education, to develop a national air quality work plan.

According to Dr. Touray, Permian Health is conducting an inventory assessment to determine the key sources of pollution, such as waste burning, reliance on charcoal and firewood for cooking, and transport-related emissions. \"Looking ahead, we aim to strengthen our collaboration with the NEA and the Ministry of Health, to expand and maintain our sensor network.\"

\"We plan to enhance public awareness campaigns, especially during high-risk periods, to better inform the community about air quality concerns. We would also like to engage more with local TV stations for them to display air quality and weather information from our network.

Conclusion

Dr. Sunkaru Touray's work with Permian Health exemplifies innovative activism. The project not only addresses air quality data gaps but also empowers communities to tackle air pollution—an issue that transcends borders.

Dr. Touray's mission goes beyond air quality monitoring; it's about transforming the quality of public health around the world.

","permian-health-air-quality-crusade-in-gambia","gid://shopify/Article/998083264886","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/permian-health-air-quality-crusade-in-gambia","2025-03-24T10:03:00Z",[643,648,838],"Revealing the Invisible: Permian Health’s air quality crusade in Gambia",{"_10":1509,"_243":1510,"_246":1511,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/407094034806","Man working on pole","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/PermianHealth_Desk_A_82dc4964-aaa3-4053-96ec-1d5218eb3bd9.jpg?v=1754470616",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1513,"_1115":1514,"_1131":1515,"_1133":1516,"_1134":1517,"_1136":1518,"_985":1519,"_10":1520,"_1140":1521,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1522,"_577":1523,"_541":1525,"_1147":1526},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"A kitten rescue in Ontario needed a powerful clean air solution fast – and found it. Learn more about the essential role of clean air in shelters.","

A kitten rescue in Ontario needed a powerful clean air solution fast – and found it. Learn more about the essential role of clean air in shelters.

","Nestled in a small town near Cornwall, Canada, Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue serves as a lifeline for abandoned and vulnerable kittens (1). For nearly eight years, rescue founder Mellissa has worked tirelessly to save and nurture the most fragile feline lives in the region. Yet despite Mellissa’s dedication to maintaining a clean environment for those in her care, animal rescues must always contend with a formidable health challenge. Poor air quality impacts both kittens and the humans who care for them. Thanks to advanced air purification technology, the rescue now breathes easier—literally and figuratively. Mission built on compassion Mellissa’s journey to creating Tiny but Mighty began with heartbreak. As a volunteer at her local animal shelter, she learned of the euthanasia of kittens deemed too young to care for. Unwilling to accept this outcome, she founded her own kitten-focused rescue in 2017. “I had so many dreams about saving these kittens. Something told me to just do it myself—start my own rescue.” “I had so many dreams about saving these kittens. They wouldn’t let up,” Mellissa shared. “Something told me to just do it myself—start my own rescue.” Mellissa provides a safe space for kittens to grow and thrive until they find their carefully screened forever homes. Today, the rescue operates solely on donations and community support. “It’s such an incredible community. People do come through to support what I’m doing, so it’s incredible.” But running a rescue isn’t without its challenges, and one significant one she uncovered was air quality. Nova the kitten enjoying toys at the Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue. Good air quality: Essential in animal rescues Caring for kittens in any enclosed environment presents unique challenges. Despite her meticulous cleaning habits, Mellissa found air quality to be a problem. “The dust is crazy. The kittens will go in their litter box and sneeze.” There would still be dust, odors, and allergens in the space “even though I use 99% dust-free litter.” Mellissa explained. “It’s great compared to some I’ve tried, but the dust is crazy. The kittens will go in their litter box and make little sneezes.” This poor air quality not only affected visitors but also had potential health implications for the kittens and Mellissa herself. Dust mites, microscopic creatures that feed on animal’s dead skin, can cause year-round allergic reactions in both cats and humans, including sneezing, runny and itchy noses, watery eyes, and even rashes. Components of pet dander can also act as an allergen, triggering similar reactions. Determined to find a solution to her dust problem, she began her search for an air purifier that could meet the rescue’s unique needs. Life changing air cleaning solution Determined to tackle the persistent dust and allergens, Mellissa sought an air purifier that could truly meet the unique demands of her rescue. After years of frustration with a previous model, she knew she needed a solution that could handle constant activity, fine dust particles, and odors effectively. Mellissa recalled, “The dust was still spreading throughout the house, and I thought, ‘this is just not enough.’” That’s when Mellissa’s father suggested looking into IQAir’s HealthPro Plus XE. Intrigued by its reputation for advanced filtration capabilities, Mellissa decided to give it a try—and the results were immediate and noticeable. The HealthPro Plus XE is equipped with HyperHEPA filtration, capable of capturing particles as small as 0.003 microns—100 times smaller than most air purifiers can filter. This efficiency, proven to remove particles far smaller than bacteria or viruses, combined with gas-phase filtration to eliminate odors, made it an ideal solution for the rescue’s air quality challenges. “The kittens aren’t sneezing anymore. The air purifier has had a huge impact,” Mellissa shared. The HealthPro Plus XE at work next to Leia the cat. Not only did she see a dramatic improvement in the air quality for the kittens, but visitors also noticed the difference. The previously lingering food and litter odors were gone. “I definitely don’t smell that anymore,” Mellissa said. “I’m really impressed.” “The kittens aren’t sneezing anymore. The air purifier has had a huge impact.” When it comes to daily use, Mellissa has found a setup that works perfectly for the rescue’s needs. During cleaning, she runs the fan at its highest setting, ensuring dust and particles are quickly filtered out. For everyday operation, she adjusts the fan to levels 2 or 3, which run quietly enough not to disturb the kittens at night. Looking ahead For Mellissa, clean air ensures a brighter future for Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue. She intends to continue providing even more kittens with a safe haven before transitioning to loving homes. The cleaner air and lack of odor in the rescue has already improved adoption visits, a critical step in finding forever homes for the kittens. Mellissa emphasizes her desire to address the root cause of ownerless kittens—unspayed and neutered animals in the population. She hopes to get the word out to more pet owners about the crucial role of spaying and neutering their animals. As she warns, “the cat overpopulation is so crazy here. Spay and neuter your cats, spay and neuter your dogs to help lower those populations.” Conclusion Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue’s story underscores the profound difference clean air technology can make in transforming lives—both human and animal. For Mellissa, investing in air purification wasn’t just about solving a nuisance; it was about creating a healthier, more inviting space where kittens could thrive and visitors could feel comfortable. By addressing the often-overlooked issue of air quality, she has set a powerful example for other rescues, shelters, and even individual pet owners facing similar challenges.","

Nestled in a small town near Cornwall, Canada, Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue serves as a lifeline for abandoned and vulnerable kittens (1). For nearly eight years, rescue founder Mellissa has worked tirelessly to save and nurture the most fragile feline lives in the region.

Yet despite Mellissa’s dedication to maintaining a clean environment for those in her care, animal rescues must always contend with a formidable health challenge. Poor air quality impacts both kittens and the humans who care for them.

Thanks to advanced air purification technology, the rescue now breathes easier—literally and figuratively.

Mission built on compassion

Mellissa’s journey to creating Tiny but Mighty began with heartbreak. As a volunteer at her local animal shelter, she learned of the euthanasia of kittens deemed too young to care for. Unwilling to accept this outcome, she founded her own kitten-focused rescue in 2017.

“I had so many dreams about saving these kittens. Something told me to just do it myself—start my own rescue.”

“I had so many dreams about saving these kittens. They wouldn’t let up,” Mellissa shared. “Something told me to just do it myself—start my own rescue.”

Mellissa provides a safe space for kittens to grow and thrive until they find their carefully screened forever homes. Today, the rescue operates solely on donations and community support. “It’s such an incredible community. People do come through to support what I’m doing, so it’s incredible.”

But running a rescue isn’t without its challenges, and one significant one she uncovered was air quality.

Nova the kitten enjoying toys at the Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue.

Good air quality: Essential in animal rescues

Caring for kittens in any enclosed environment presents unique challenges. Despite her meticulous cleaning habits, Mellissa found air quality to be a problem.

“The dust is crazy. The kittens will go in their litter box and sneeze.”

There would still be dust, odors, and allergens in the space “even though I use 99% dust-free litter.” Mellissa explained. “It’s great compared to some I’ve tried, but the dust is crazy. The kittens will go in their litter box and make little sneezes.”

This poor air quality not only affected visitors but also had potential health implications for the kittens and Mellissa herself. Dust mites, microscopic creatures that feed on animal’s dead skin, can cause year-round allergic reactions in both cats and humans, including sneezing, runny and itchy noses, watery eyes, and even rashes.

Components of pet dander can also act as an allergen, triggering similar reactions.

Determined to find a solution to her dust problem, she began her search for an air purifier that could meet the rescue’s unique needs.

Life changing air cleaning solution

Determined to tackle the persistent dust and allergens, Mellissa sought an air purifier that could truly meet the unique demands of her rescue. After years of frustration with a previous model, she knew she needed a solution that could handle constant activity, fine dust particles, and odors effectively.

Mellissa recalled, “The dust was still spreading throughout the house, and I thought, ‘this is just not enough.’”

That’s when Mellissa’s father suggested looking into IQAir’s HealthPro Plus XE. Intrigued by its reputation for advanced filtration capabilities, Mellissa decided to give it a try—and the results were immediate and noticeable.

The HealthPro Plus XE is equipped with HyperHEPA filtration, capable of capturing particles as small as 0.003 microns—100 times smaller than most air purifiers can filter. This efficiency, proven to remove particles far smaller than bacteria or viruses, combined with gas-phase filtration to eliminate odors, made it an ideal solution for the rescue’s air quality challenges.

“The kittens aren’t sneezing anymore. The air purifier has had a huge impact,” Mellissa shared.

$\"\"$

The HealthPro Plus XE at work next to Leia the cat.

Not only did she see a dramatic improvement in the air quality for the kittens, but visitors also noticed the difference. The previously lingering food and litter odors were gone. “I definitely don’t smell that anymore,” Mellissa said. “I’m really impressed.”

“The kittens aren’t sneezing anymore. The air purifier has had a huge impact.”

When it comes to daily use, Mellissa has found a setup that works perfectly for the rescue’s needs. During cleaning, she runs the fan at its highest setting, ensuring dust and particles are quickly filtered out. For everyday operation, she adjusts the fan to levels 2 or 3, which run quietly enough not to disturb the kittens at night.

Looking ahead

For Mellissa, clean air ensures a brighter future for Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue. She intends to continue providing even more kittens with a safe haven before transitioning to loving homes.

The cleaner air and lack of odor in the rescue has already improved adoption visits, a critical step in finding forever homes for the kittens.

Mellissa emphasizes her desire to address the root cause of ownerless kittens—unspayed and neutered animals in the population. She hopes to get the word out to more pet owners about the crucial role of spaying and neutering their animals. As she warns, “the cat overpopulation is so crazy here. Spay and neuter your cats, spay and neuter your dogs to help lower those populations.”

Conclusion

Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue’s story underscores the profound difference clean air technology can make in transforming lives—both human and animal.

For Mellissa, investing in air purification wasn’t just about solving a nuisance; it was about creating a healthier, more inviting space where kittens could thrive and visitors could feel comfortable. By addressing the often-overlooked issue of air quality, she has set a powerful example for other rescues, shelters, and even individual pet owners facing similar challenges.

","cleaner-air-healthier-kittens-iqair-supports-tiny-but-mighty-rescue","gid://shopify/Article/997882986870","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/cleaner-air-healthier-kittens-iqair-supports-tiny-but-mighty-rescue","2025-01-27T04:00:00Z",[1524,838],"Pets","Cleaner air, healthier kittens: Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue",{"_10":1527,"_243":1528,"_246":1529,"_248":1530,"_244":1531},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/396322505078","Cat resting next to air purifier.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/KittenRescue_Desk_520x500_b51e6557-89fd-41e0-a21b-816616233043.jpg?v=1739826680",520,271,"geoSpotlight",{"_1534":1535,"_2031":2032},"spotlightItems",[1536,1893,2022],{"_12":1537,"_1538":1539,"_1540":1541,"_29":1542,"_1543":1544,"_1547":1548,"_1130":1549,"_10":1554,"_985":1555,"_1556":1557},"Ben Avon AQI Alert","range",75,"markerIconUrl","https://cdn.airvisual.net/assets/marker-images/generic.png","autoGenCustomMarker","location",[1545,1546],-80.0821377,40.5051586,"timestamp","2026-03-23T06:04:25.107Z",{"_246":1550,"_541":1551,"_1552":1553},"https://www.iqair.com/us/newsroom/unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups","Ben Avon has \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\" air quality. See the map and health recommendations.","thumbnail","https://www.iqair.com/dl/app/notifications/Notification_Daily_AQI_Face_03_Orange@3x.png","autoGenCustomMarker:city-5bc822e841fdcdf1939e7d23","unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups","article",{"_541":1558,"_985":1555,"_1131":1559,"_1134":1560,"_1136":1561,"_1143":1562,"_577":1563,"_1126":1564,"_1147":1565,"_980":1569,"_1572":-5,"_1573":-5,"_1574":1575,"_1578":-5,"_1579":-5,"_1580":1581},"When air quality is \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\"","Learn about the risks of this AQI range and protect the vulnerable from potential hazards.","Understanding the \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\" AQI Range An Air Quality Index (AQI) between 101-150 is deemed \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.\" Sensitive groups include: Children The Elderly Pregnant People People with cardiac and pulmonary diseases .recommendations-container { border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; border-radius: 12px; background-color: #f9fafb; padding: 24px; color: #111827; font-family: sans-serif; } .recommendations-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; } .recommendations-table th, .recommendations-table td { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 16px; vertical-align: middle; } .recommendations-title { color: #499fbc; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.5em; } .recommendation-subheading { font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; margin: 10px 0; } .recommendation-block { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 8px; justify-content: center; padding: 16px 0; } .recommendation-block img { max-width: 50px; height: auto; } .recommendation-text { font-size: 18px; text-align: center; } /* Responsive styling */ @media (max-width: 768px) { .recommendations-table, .recommendations-table thead, .recommendations-table tbody, .recommendations-table tr, .recommendations-table td, .recommendations-table th { display: block; width: 100%; } .recommendations-table tr { margin-bottom: 20px; } .recommendations-table td, .recommendations-table th { text-align: center; border: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; } .recommendation-block { flex-direction: column; align-items: center; } .recommendation-text { font-size: 16px; } .recommendation-block img { max-width: 40px; } } HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS How to protect from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups pollution Wear a mask outdoors and indoorsGET A MASK Run an air purifierGET AN AIR PURIFIER Close your windows to avoid dirty outdoor airGET A MONITOR Reduce outdoor exercise Protective Measures for Sensitive Groups When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, everyone is at risk for eye, skin, and throat irritation, as well as respiratory problems. The public should greatly reduce outdoor exertion. While the broader population might still be largely unaffected, sensitive groups are at much greater health risk and should be very cautious. They should avoid all outdoor activity. How can I protect myself when air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups? Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts and consistently monitor your air quality. Help increase the amount of ground-level monitors by becoming an air quality contributor. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Sensitive groups should stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter pollutants, particles, gases, and other contaminants","

Understanding the \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\" AQI Range

An Air Quality Index (AQI) between 101-150 is deemed \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.\" Sensitive groups include:

Children
The Elderly
Pregnant People
People with cardiac and pulmonary diseases

\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
How to protect from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups pollution
\n \n $\"Mask$ \n Wear a mask outdoors and indoors GET A MASK\n \n \n	\n \n $\"Air$ \n Run an air purifier GET AN AIR PURIFIER\n \n \n
\n \n $\"Monitor$ \n Close your windows to avoid dirty outdoor air GET A MONITOR\n \n \n	\n \n $\"Exercise$ \n Reduce outdoor exercise \n \n

Protective Measures for Sensitive Groups

When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, everyone is at risk for eye, skin, and throat irritation, as well as respiratory problems. The public should greatly reduce outdoor exertion.

While the broader population might still be largely unaffected, sensitive groups are at much greater health risk and should be very cautious. They should avoid all outdoor activity.

How can I protect myself when air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups?

Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts and consistently monitor your air quality.
Help increase the amount of ground-level monitors by becoming an air quality contributor. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Sensitive groups should stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter pollutants, particles, gases, and other contaminants

","2026-01-07T16:17:33Z",[390,1306],{"_12":1128},{"_10":1566,"_243":1567,"_246":1568,"_248":1170,"_244":1188},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411473314166","Unhealthy Sensitive Group (US AQI)","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQI_Sensitive_Desk_dfa4750d-35bf-4001-b3e6-f4c7c735671c.jpg?v=1767802843",{"_983":1570,"_541":1571},"How to protect yourself against \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\" air quality levels.","When air quality is \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | IQAir","articleResources","aboutIQAir","relatedArticles",{"_1576":1577},"value","[\"what-pollution-measures-should-i-watch-out-for\",\"how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke\",\"which-molds-are-most-dangerous-to-my-health\"]","mobileImage","voiceifyAudio","relatedProducts",{"_1576":1582},{"_1121":1583},[1584,1769],{"_1124":1585,"_10":1586,"_985":1587,"_541":1588,"_983":1589,"_1590":1591,"_1592":211,"_1593":1594,"_1142":-5,"_1595":53,"_1596":1597,"_1601":1602,"_1609":1610,"_1614":1615,"_1131":1659,"_1661":-5,"_1662":1663,"_1665":1666,"_1668":1669,"_1671":1672,"_1674":-5,"_1675":1676,"_1682":1683,"_1686":1687,"_1723":1724,"_1759":1760,"_1763":1764},"Product","gid://shopify/Product/8927570526507","healthpro-plus","HealthPro 250 Air Purifier","Award-winning, medical-grade & gas/odor filtration for medium to large rooms. IQAir's top-selling room air purifier, featuring advanced HyperHEPA filtration for particles of all sizes and V5-Cell filtration for gases and odors. Excellent for allergens, bacteria¹, dust, viruses² and VOCs. The HealthPro 250 model includes smart air monitoring, WiFi app integration, energy-efficient fan, and real-time PM2.5 measurement. Covers up to 990 sq. ft.","descriptionHtml","

Award-winning, medical-grade & gas/odor filtration for medium to large rooms.

IQAir's top-selling room air purifier, featuring advanced HyperHEPA filtration for particles of all sizes and V5-Cell filtration for gases and odors. Excellent for allergens, bacteria¹, dust, viruses² and VOCs. The HealthPro 250 model includes smart air monitoring, WiFi app integration, energy-efficient fan, and real-time PM2.5 measurement. Covers up to 990 sq. ft.

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High-performance, comfortable mask with tight seal for better protection.

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See the map and health recommendations.","https://www.iqair.com/dl/app/notifications/Notification_Daily_AQI_Face_06_Maroon@3x.png","autoGenCustomMarker:city-656d711bb9a8cf89b45f3946","hazardous-air-quality",{"_541":1906,"_985":1904,"_1131":1907,"_1134":1908,"_1136":1909,"_1143":1910,"_577":1911,"_1126":1912,"_1147":1913,"_980":1917,"_1572":-5,"_1573":-5,"_1574":1919,"_1578":-5,"_1579":-5,"_1580":1920},"When air quality is \"Hazardous\"","When the AQI enters the hazardous range, it's time to take serious precautions.","Grasping the Severity of Hazardous AQI An Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 300 is termed \"Hazardous.\" At this extreme, there's a health warning of emergency conditions. The entire population is likely to be severely affected. .recommendations-container { border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; border-radius: 12px; background-color: #f9fafb; padding: 24px; color: #111827; font-family: sans-serif; } .recommendations-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; } .recommendations-table th, .recommendations-table td { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 16px; vertical-align: middle; } .recommendations-title { color: #499fbc; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.5em; } .recommendation-subheading { font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; margin: 10px 0; } .recommendation-block { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 8px; justify-content: center; padding: 16px 0; } .recommendation-block img { max-width: 50px; height: auto; } .recommendation-text { font-size: 18px; text-align: center; } /* Responsive styling */ @media (max-width: 768px) { .recommendations-table, .recommendations-table thead, .recommendations-table tbody, .recommendations-table tr, .recommendations-table td, .recommendations-table th { display: block; width: 100%; } .recommendations-table tr { margin-bottom: 20px; } .recommendations-table td, .recommendations-table th { text-align: center; border: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; } .recommendation-block { flex-direction: column; align-items: center; } .recommendation-text { font-size: 16px; } .recommendation-block img { max-width: 40px; } } HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS How to protect from Hazardous pollution Wear a mask outdoors and indoorsGET A MASK Run an air purifierGET AN AIR PURIFIER Close your windows to avoid dirty outdoor airGET A MONITOR Avoid outdoor exercise Protective Measures for Hazardous Air Quality When air quality is hazardous, everyone is at high risk of experiencing strong irritation and negative health effects that could trigger respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Avoid exercise and remain indoors. Avoid outdoor exercise. It is advisable to wear a pollution mask outdoors and indoors as well. Air purifiers should be turned on. Heed every local health advisory, and ensure homes are sealed effectively against the polluted air. Join the movement! Get a monitor and contribute to air quality data in your city BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR How can I protect myself when air quality is hazardous? Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts and consistently monitor your air quality. Help increase the amount of ground-level monitors by becoming an air quality contributor. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Note that “Hazardous” pollution levels require a mask even when indoors.Run a high-performance air purifier to filter pollutants, particles, gases, and other contaminants. How to best protect from air pollution? Reduce your air pollution exposure Face Mask Air Purifier Air quality monitors /* Ensure full-width container */ .container { width: 100%; } /* Responsive styles */ @media (max-width: 768px) { /* Stack images vertically on smaller screens */ table { width: 100%; display: block; } table tr { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; } table td { width: 100%; padding: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px; } table td img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } /* Adjust h3 and p for smaller screens */ h3 { font-size: 1.5em; } p { font-size: 1.1em; } }","

Grasping the Severity of Hazardous AQI

An Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 300 is termed \"Hazardous.\" At this extreme, there's a health warning of emergency conditions. The entire population is likely to be severely affected.

\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
How to protect from Hazardous pollution
\n \n $\"Mask$ \n Wear a mask outdoors and indoors GET A MASK\n \n \n	\n \n $\"Air$ \n Run an air purifier GET AN AIR PURIFIER\n \n \n
\n \n $\"Monitor$ \n Close your windows to avoid dirty outdoor air GET A MONITOR\n \n \n	\n \n $\"Exercise$ \n Avoid outdoor exercise \n \n

\n

Protective Measures for Hazardous Air Quality

When air quality is hazardous, everyone is at high risk of experiencing strong irritation and negative health effects that could trigger respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.

Avoid exercise and remain indoors. Avoid outdoor exercise. It is advisable to wear a pollution mask outdoors and indoors as well. Air purifiers should be turned on. Heed every local health advisory, and ensure homes are sealed effectively against the polluted air.

Join the movement!

Get a monitor and contribute to air quality data in your city

BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR

How can I protect myself when air quality is hazardous?

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts and consistently monitor your air quality.
Help increase the amount of ground-level monitors by becoming an air quality contributor. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Note that “Hazardous” pollution levels require a mask even when indoors.Run a high-performance air purifier to filter pollutants, particles, gases, and other contaminants.

How to best protect from air pollution?

Reduce your air pollution exposure

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n $\"Mask\"$ \n

Face Mask

\n $\"HPP\"$ \n

Air Purifier

\n $\"AV$ \n

Air quality monitors

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