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See how EarthMuseum is teaching the next generation how to monitor air quality and address air pollution through data.

","content","“Our program gives students a way to work with real-world data—so they’re not just learning about air quality, they’re actually seeing it and responding to it,” said Janet Owen, Founder and Director of EarthMuseum Learn. Through its collaboration with IQAir, EarthMuseum Learn, a not-for-profit focused on global, cross-curricular education, is piloting Air We Breathe—an air quality learning and monitoring program that helps students understand pollution in context and think more critically about what it means (1). As part of a free wider learning program, schools use IQAir’s AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitors and AirVisual dashboard to measure the air around them and publish an analysis of those readings to a shared collaboration platform. Instead of relying on static examples, students work with live data—conditions that change throughout the day and can be followed over time. For many, it’s the first time air pollution is something they can track directly using data generated by their own school. Rather than focusing on a single location or data contributor, the program is designed to connect many, linking classrooms through a common learning framework and shared data. Learning that starts with context Developed with educators and subject experts, the Air We Breathe program is designed for students ages 7 to 14. It’s free for schools worldwide and built to fit into existing curricula. The program moves between history, science, and present-day air quality. Lessons explore how air pollution has developed over time, from early human activity through the industrial period and into the present. They also look at how air quality connects to health, climate, and the way communities function, with an opportunity to think about local innovation and action. That shared structure makes it possible for schools in different locations to engage with the same material at the same time, creating a common starting point for comparison. It’s not about delivering a fixed set of facts. Students are encouraged to question, discuss, and form their own views. As Owen put it, the program is built around “the ability to have conversations about what air quality and air pollution are, and what they mean in a worldview context.” That foundation becomes more meaningful once students begin working with real-world data. Working with data from their own environment Each school uses an IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitor to measure local air quality. Those readings feed into the IQAir platform, where they can be accessed through the AirVisual app, desktop dashboard, and global air quality map. Students aren’t just checking the numbers. They follow how readings change over time, compare patterns across different days, and begin asking why those changes happen. Owen described it simply: students are “playing with the data, looking at the data, comparing their data with others.” For EarthMuseum Learn, the appeal of the system was not just the data itself, but how easily it could be used across different classrooms globally. Once tested, Owen said, “it was pretty straightforward to set up,” and “very communicative in terms of the data.” The platform also places those readings alongside a much wider network of stations, contributed by governments, organizations, and individuals around the world. That context makes it easier to see how local conditions fit into a broader picture. In practice, each school becomes one point within a much larger network of observations. Comparing across locations Students have the ability to look at their own data alongside readings from partner schools in other regions, from nearby cities to entirely different countries. Seeing those differences tends to raise immediate questions. Owen said students begin to ask, “Why are levels higher in one place than another? What local factors might be involved? How do infrastructure, geography, or policy play a role?” For the program, that exchange is central. It’s about “that ability to compare and contrast, to talk, to discuss, and to understand what’s happening in different places.” What starts as a local exercise becomes something shared, and something that allows students to see their community in a global context. Understanding how air quality data is created Alongside real-time monitoring, students take manual readings at set intervals, recording and sharing those observations through EarthMuseum Learn’s developing collaborative platform. For many, this is their first experience working with environmental data in a structured way. It makes them more comfortable reading the numbers and talking about what those numbers mean. Because those observations are shared across schools, they don’t stay local—they contribute to a broader, collective view. From observation to response Students are encouraged to consider what their observations mean in practical terms—for themselves, for their school, and for the wider community. Sometimes that may lead to small changes in the school environment. In other cases, it can develop into campaigns or presentations shared with local decision-makers. Owen said, “Students see that data isn’t just something on a screen, or something collected in a vacuum. They see how it’s interpreted—and how it can help make an impact in their world.” That thinking is shaped not only by their own data, but by what they see happening in other schools. As Owen framed it: “What does that mean for me individually? What does that mean for us as a school? What does that mean for the community?” Teachers involved in early pilots have already seen the conversation extend beyond the classroom. Students bring the subject home with them, and it starts to shape discussions with teachers, parents, and peers. “There’s a real appetite… to have those conversations—not just with each other, but with teachers and with parents,” Owen said. Building a connected model Work with schools in the UK now includes international partners, with classrooms in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia beginning to take part. Additional school networks are in discussion. As more schools install monitors and publish data, the project is gradually forming a distributed network of classrooms, each contributing its own data and perspective. Because the same monitoring and platform infrastructure can be used across regions, schools are able to participate in a shared system without needing to adapt the technical setup each time. Over time, individual data points begin to form a connected system across schools. For EarthMuseum Learn, the goal is not simply to grow, but to build something that keeps those classrooms connected rather than operating in isolation. Conclusion EarthMuseum Learn offers one way to bring environmental learning closer to students’ daily experience. By combining real-time monitoring with classroom teaching and global data sharing, the program gives students a way to follow air quality through observation, comparison, and discussion. It also suggests a different way of teaching these topics—one where classrooms are connected through shared data and analysis instead of working in isolation.","contentHtml","

“Our program gives students a way to work with real-world data—so they’re not just learning about air quality, they’re actually seeing it and responding to it,” said Janet Owen, Founder and Director of EarthMuseum Learn.

Through its collaboration with IQAir, EarthMuseum Learn, a not-for-profit focused on global, cross-curricular education, is piloting Air We Breathe—an air quality learning and monitoring program that helps students understand pollution in context and think more critically about what it means (1).

As part of a free wider learning program, schools use IQAir’s AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitors and AirVisual dashboard to measure the air around them and publish an analysis of those readings to a shared collaboration platform. Instead of relying on static examples, students work with live data—conditions that change throughout the day and can be followed over time.

For many, it’s the first time air pollution is something they can track directly using data generated by their own school.

Rather than focusing on a single location or data contributor, the program is designed to connect many, linking classrooms through a common learning framework and shared data.

Learning that starts with context

Developed with educators and subject experts, the Air We Breathe program is designed for students ages 7 to 14. It’s free for schools worldwide and built to fit into existing curricula.

The program moves between history, science, and present-day air quality. Lessons explore how air pollution has developed over time, from early human activity through the industrial period and into the present. They also look at how air quality connects to health, climate, and the way communities function, with an opportunity to think about local innovation and action. That shared structure makes it possible for schools in different locations to engage with the same material at the same time, creating a common starting point for comparison.

It’s not about delivering a fixed set of facts. Students are encouraged to question, discuss, and form their own views. As Owen put it, the program is built around “the ability to have conversations about what air quality and air pollution are, and what they mean in a worldview context.”

That foundation becomes more meaningful once students begin working with real-world data.

Working with data from their own environment

Each school uses an IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitor to measure local air quality. Those readings feed into the IQAir platform, where they can be accessed through the AirVisual app, desktop dashboard, and global air quality map.

Students aren’t just checking the numbers. They follow how readings change over time, compare patterns across different days, and begin asking why those changes happen.

Owen described it simply: students are “playing with the data, looking at the data, comparing their data with others.”

For EarthMuseum Learn, the appeal of the system was not just the data itself, but how easily it could be used across different classrooms globally. Once tested, Owen said, “it was pretty straightforward to set up,” and “very communicative in terms of the data.”

The platform also places those readings alongside a much wider network of stations, contributed by governments, organizations, and individuals around the world. That context makes it easier to see how local conditions fit into a broader picture. In practice, each school becomes one point within a much larger network of observations.

Comparing across locations

Students have the ability to look at their own data alongside readings from partner schools in other regions, from nearby cities to entirely different countries.

Seeing those differences tends to raise immediate questions. Owen said students begin to ask, “Why are levels higher in one place than another? What local factors might be involved? How do infrastructure, geography, or policy play a role?” For the program, that exchange is central. It’s about “that ability to compare and contrast, to talk, to discuss, and to understand what’s happening in different places.”

What starts as a local exercise becomes something shared, and something that allows students to see their community in a global context.

Understanding how air quality data is created

Alongside real-time monitoring, students take manual readings at set intervals, recording and sharing those observations through EarthMuseum Learn’s developing collaborative platform.

For many, this is their first experience working with environmental data in a structured way. It makes them more comfortable reading the numbers and talking about what those numbers mean.

Because those observations are shared across schools, they don’t stay local—they contribute to a broader, collective view.

From observation to response

Students are encouraged to consider what their observations mean in practical terms—for themselves, for their school, and for the wider community. Sometimes that may lead to small changes in the school environment. In other cases, it can develop into campaigns or presentations shared with local decision-makers. Owen said, “Students see that data isn’t just something on a screen, or something collected in a vacuum. They see how it’s interpreted—and how it can help make an impact in their world.”

That thinking is shaped not only by their own data, but by what they see happening in other schools.

As Owen framed it: “What does that mean for me individually? What does that mean for us as a school? What does that mean for the community?”

Teachers involved in early pilots have already seen the conversation extend beyond the classroom. Students bring the subject home with them, and it starts to shape discussions with teachers, parents, and peers.

“There’s a real appetite… to have those conversations—not just with each other, but with teachers and with parents,” Owen said.

Building a connected model

Work with schools in the UK now includes international partners, with classrooms in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia beginning to take part. Additional school networks are in discussion.

As more schools install monitors and publish data, the project is gradually forming a distributed network of classrooms, each contributing its own data and perspective.

Because the same monitoring and platform infrastructure can be used across regions, schools are able to participate in a shared system without needing to adapt the technical setup each time. Over time, individual data points begin to form a connected system across schools.

For EarthMuseum Learn, the goal is not simply to grow, but to build something that keeps those classrooms connected rather than operating in isolation.

Conclusion

EarthMuseum Learn offers one way to bring environmental learning closer to students’ daily experience.

By combining real-time monitoring with classroom teaching and global data sharing, the program gives students a way to follow air quality through observation, comparison, and discussion. It also suggests a different way of teaching these topics—one where classrooms are connected through shared data and analysis instead of working in isolation.

","earthmuseum-learn-connects-classrooms-through-air-quality-data","gid://shopify/Article/641496842318","onlineStoreUrl","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/earthmuseum-learn-connects-classrooms-through-air-quality-data","trackingParameters","publishedAt","2026-05-11T15:00:00Z",[705,1170,710],"Featured articles","Revealing the Invisible: EarthMuseum Learn connects classrooms through air quality data","image",{"_10":1174,"_202":1175,"_205":1176,"_207":1177,"_203":1178},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/273242423374","Students participating in an EarthMuseum Learn classroom activity.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Article_EarthMuseum_D.jpg?v=1778512778",839,674,{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1180,"_1139":1181,"_1154":1182,"_1156":1183,"_1158":1184,"_1160":1185,"_1008":1186,"_10":1187,"_1164":1188,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1189,"_635":1190,"_599":1192,"_1172":1193},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Everyone can do their part to prevent air pollution. Learn about 5 citizen scientists who are reshaping air quality in their own communities.","

Everyone can do their part to prevent air pollution. Learn about 5 citizen scientists who are reshaping air quality in their own communities.

","Around the world, the grassroots clean air movement is proving that real change starts at the community level. From Nairobi to Milwaukee, Baghdad to barren Antarctica, individuals and organizations are filling critical data gaps, empowering their neighbors, and driving policies that protect public health. Activists, scientists, and local leaders are demonstrating that when communities take the lead, the impact can be both local and global. Healthier air, smarter policies, and scalable solutions can inspire crucial change far beyond our own neighborhoods. Kenya’s data pioneer for East Africa According to the 2025 World Air Quality Report, there were 463 air quality monitors deployed to detect air pollution across the entire African continent. While it’s an improvement in monitoring over 2024, this still leaves vast regions and large nations like Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Somalia, and Sudan without the data needed to address pollution. \"Without data, we remain in the dark.” In Nairobi, Kenya where traffic and industrial emissions create dangerous hotspots, Tedy Mwendwa recognized this need for data and to identify air pollution sources. He deployed a low-cost air quality sensor near one of the city’s busiest streets to help detect pollutants from vehicle emissions and biomass burning. For Mwendwa, the mission is clear: “Empowering our community with this data is crucial for driving action and advocating for sustainable solutions. Without data, we remain in the dark.” Milwaukee’s air quality crusader In the US: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, high asthma rates disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, worsened by vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and the growing threat of wildfire smoke. Langston Verdin responded by founding the MKE FreshAir Collective, a grassroots initiative that deployed air quality monitors in neighborhoods most affected by air pollution (1). By providing real-time data, Verdin’s organization grew their following from 6,000 to nearly 24,000 people and gave them the tools to advocate for cleaner air, and helping make a public health impact. When followers receive alerts on their phones about worsening air quality, they’re better equipped to immediately respond by closing doors and windows, adjusting outdoor activities as needed, or wearing masks outside if staying indoors isn’t an option. Transforming Iraq’s air quality landscape Iraq was the 11th most polluted in country the world in 2025. Yet until recently, reliable data was almost nonexistent. \"What was once a data desert now serves as a model for rapid, community-driven action.” The MEED Foundation tackled that problem by deploying monitoring stations across 17,000 square kilometers in just six months, and provides most of the country’s real-time air quality data. What was once a data desert now serves as a model for rapid, community-driven action and has sparked national discussion regarding environmental health. Unveiling the secrets of Antarctic skies Air pollution and the need to better understand it extends to every corner of the planet. Though Antarctica’s isolation has long led to assumptions about its “pristine” air, Ukrainian scientists at the Vernadsky Research Base are uncovering a different story (2). Through continuous monitoring, they track particulate matter and seasonal variations, providing baseline data that deepens our understanding of global atmospheric dynamics. Their research ensures a full air quality picture and understanding of conditions in one of Earth’s most remote regions. Uzbekistan’s retail revolution for clean air In Uzbekistan, millions of people lacked access to air quality data, leaving them unaware of the risks they faced daily. Uzum Market is now bridging this data gap to help foster national health and environmental education. The digital ecosystem partnered with IQAir to transform supermarkets, banks, and pickup points into monitoring hubs. By leveraging existing infrastructure, they created the country’s first nationwide network, making real-time data far more accessible. Uzum Market’s innovative approach is making the invisible visible, giving citizens the information they need to protect their health and advocate for cleaner air. Join the movement Everyone can help drive environmental change and expand access to clean air. Here’s how communities can improve local air quality and stop pollution at its source: What local governments and communities can do Organize local air quality monitoring networks using affordable, real-time sensors to identify pollution hotspots. Partner with schools, businesses, and local governments to grow air quality monitoring networks and turn data into actionable policies. Advocate for cleaner transportation, green spaces, and stricter industrial emissions regulations. Host public workshops to educate residents about air quality risks and solutions. What individuals can do Support and volunteer with local air quality initiatives and advocacy groups. Share real-time air quality data with neighbors and on social platforms. Reduce personal emissions by walking, biking, or using public transit when possible. Push for transparency and accountability from local authorities on air quality issues. Download a free air quality app to know what air quality looks like in your own neighborhood in real-time. Stay informed about local air quality and participate in community-led clean air campaigns. Conclusion Some days, it may feel like a hopeless effort to try to stop air pollution. But these individuals and groups prove that cleaner air is possible and begins with community-led monitoring and advocacy. Whether in bustling cities or remote research stations, citizen scientists are proving that change doesn’t require vast resources. All it takes is determination, collaboration, and a commitment to transparency. You don’t need to be a scientist or policymaker to make a difference. Supporting or joining a local air quality initiative can turn evidence-based data and air quality science into a healthier reality in every community.","

Around the world, the grassroots clean air movement is proving that real change starts at the community level. From Nairobi to Milwaukee, Baghdad to barren Antarctica, individuals and organizations are filling critical data gaps, empowering their neighbors, and driving policies that protect public health.

Activists, scientists, and local leaders are demonstrating that when communities take the lead, the impact can be both local and global. Healthier air, smarter policies, and scalable solutions can inspire crucial change far beyond our own neighborhoods.

Kenya’s data pioneer for East Africa

According to the 2025 World Air Quality Report, there were 463 air quality monitors deployed to detect air pollution across the entire African continent. While it’s an improvement in monitoring over 2024, this still leaves vast regions and large nations like Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Somalia, and Sudan without the data needed to address pollution.

\"Without data, we remain in the dark.”

In Nairobi, Kenya where traffic and industrial emissions create dangerous hotspots, Tedy Mwendwa recognized this need for data and to identify air pollution sources. He deployed a low-cost air quality sensor near one of the city’s busiest streets to help detect pollutants from vehicle emissions and biomass burning.

For Mwendwa, the mission is clear: “Empowering our community with this data is crucial for driving action and advocating for sustainable solutions. Without data, we remain in the dark.”

Milwaukee’s air quality crusader

In the US: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, high asthma rates disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, worsened by vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and the growing threat of wildfire smoke.

Langston Verdin responded by founding the MKE FreshAir Collective, a grassroots initiative that deployed air quality monitors in neighborhoods most affected by air pollution (1). By providing real-time data, Verdin’s organization grew their following from 6,000 to nearly 24,000 people and gave them the tools to advocate for cleaner air, and helping make a public health impact. When followers receive alerts on their phones about worsening air quality, they’re better equipped to immediately respond by closing doors and windows, adjusting outdoor activities as needed, or wearing masks outside if staying indoors isn’t an option.

Transforming Iraq’s air quality landscape

Iraq was the 11th most polluted in country the world in 2025. Yet until recently, reliable data was almost nonexistent.

\"What was once a data desert now serves as a model for rapid, community-driven action.”

The MEED Foundation tackled that problem by deploying monitoring stations across 17,000 square kilometers in just six months, and provides most of the country’s real-time air quality data. What was once a data desert now serves as a model for rapid, community-driven action and has sparked national discussion regarding environmental health.

\n\n\n

Unveiling the secrets of Antarctic skies

Air pollution and the need to better understand it extends to every corner of the planet. Though Antarctica’s isolation has long led to assumptions about its “pristine” air, Ukrainian scientists at the Vernadsky Research Base are uncovering a different story (2).

Through continuous monitoring, they track particulate matter and seasonal variations, providing baseline data that deepens our understanding of global atmospheric dynamics. Their research ensures a full air quality picture and understanding of conditions in one of Earth’s most remote regions.

Uzbekistan’s retail revolution for clean air

In Uzbekistan, millions of people lacked access to air quality data, leaving them unaware of the risks they faced daily. Uzum Market is now bridging this data gap to help foster national health and environmental education.

The digital ecosystem partnered with IQAir to transform supermarkets, banks, and pickup points into monitoring hubs. By leveraging existing infrastructure, they created the country’s first nationwide network, making real-time data far more accessible. Uzum Market’s innovative approach is making the invisible visible, giving citizens the information they need to protect their health and advocate for cleaner air.

Join the movement

Everyone can help drive environmental change and expand access to clean air. Here’s how communities can improve local air quality and stop pollution at its source:

What local governments and communities can do

Organize local air quality monitoring networks using affordable, real-time sensors to identify pollution hotspots.
Partner with schools, businesses, and local governments to grow air quality monitoring networks and turn data into actionable policies.
Advocate for cleaner transportation, green spaces, and stricter industrial emissions regulations.
\n
Host public workshops to educate residents about air quality risks and solutions.

What individuals can do

Support and volunteer with local air quality initiatives and advocacy groups.
\nShare real-time air quality data with neighbors and on social platforms.
Reduce personal emissions by walking, biking, or using public transit when possible.
Push for transparency and accountability from local authorities on air quality issues.
Download a free air quality app to know what air quality looks like in your own neighborhood in real-time.
Stay informed about local air quality and participate in community-led clean air campaigns.
\n

Conclusion

Some days, it may feel like a hopeless effort to try to stop air pollution. But these individuals and groups prove that cleaner air is possible and begins with community-led monitoring and advocacy. Whether in bustling cities or remote research stations, citizen scientists are proving that change doesn’t require vast resources. All it takes is determination, collaboration, and a commitment to transparency.

You don’t need to be a scientist or policymaker to make a difference. Supporting or joining a local air quality initiative can turn evidence-based data and air quality science into a healthier reality in every community.

","clean-air-starts-with-communities-5-advocates-leading-the-way","gid://shopify/Article/641335623758","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/clean-air-starts-with-communities-5-advocates-leading-the-way","2026-04-27T15:00:05Z",[1191,705,1170],"Air Quality","5 Clean air advocates leading the way",{"_10":1194,"_202":1195,"_205":1196,"_207":1177,"_203":1178},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/273072488526","Clean air advocates","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Blog_CleanAirCommunity_Desk2_9356b9a8-3e78-42c2-afc9-20918e8c9fef.jpg?v=1777309947",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1198,"_1139":1199,"_1154":1200,"_1156":1201,"_1158":1202,"_1160":1203,"_1008":1204,"_10":1205,"_1164":1206,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1207,"_635":1208,"_599":1209,"_1172":1210},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"See how Cameroon’s campus-based air quality monitoring is helping students, teachers, and communities make invisible pollution visible.","

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/641046249550","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-campus-air-quality-monitoring-cameroon","2026-04-22T17:37:45Z",[705,710],"Revealing the Invisible: Campus air quality monitoring in Cameroon",{"_10":1211,"_202":-5,"_205":1212,"_207":1213,"_203":1214},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/273182064718","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Cameroon_FCS_Desktop2_7ff784dc-1b93-48b0-b91c-0b35e9e43d26.jpg?v=1777999728",1748,1404,{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1216,"_1139":1217,"_1154":1218,"_1156":1219,"_1158":1220,"_1160":1221,"_1008":1222,"_10":1223,"_1164":1224,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1225,"_635":1226,"_599":1227,"_1172":1228},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"See how three pivotal studies changed what the world knows about air pollution—and why that science still matters today.","

See how three pivotal studies changed what the world knows about air pollution—and why that science still matters today.

","Air quality science didn’t advance all at once. It changed through a series of breakthroughs—moments when scientists were able to prove what polluted air was doing to people, where it was coming from, and why it mattered. Some of the most important discoveries began with simple but urgent questions: Why were people getting sick? What was in the air? And could those risks be prevented? Three major turning points reshaped how the world understands air pollution today. Together, they helped transform air quality from an invisible environmental concern into a measurable public health issue—one that continues to guide policy, research, and how communities protect themselves. Scientific breakthroughs only matter if they are shared and acted on. When evidence is delayed, ignored, or dismissed, the consequences can last for years. The history of air quality science shows that progress depends not just on discovery—but on whether societies listen and respond. 1930-1952: Deadly fogs spark modern air quality research In the early 20th century, air pollution was widespread—but poorly understood. That changed when a series of deadly events forced scientists and governments to confront its health impacts. In 1930, a dense industrial fog settled over the Meuse Valley in Belgium. The combination of temperature inversion, trapped emissions, and industrial activity led to 64 deaths. Autopsies found severe respiratory damage, including excess mucus, hemorrhaging and fluid in the lungs. Investigators linked the fatalities to sulfur dioxide and other industrial pollutants, and the findings were published in the Bulletin de l'Académie royale de médecine de Belgique in 1931. It was one of the first connect air pollution with mortality (1). Despite these findings, Belgian authorities laid the blame on chance and local conditions. Ignoring the warnings, other similar, preventable disasters would unfold in later decades in both America and England. Nearly two decades later, a similar disaster struck Donora, Pennsylvania. In October 1948, a temperature inversion trapped emissions from steel and zinc plants, creating a thick smog that killed 20 people and sickened thousands (2). This time, researchers conducted one of the first large-scale epidemiological studies of air pollution, confirming the role of industrial emissions in the disaster. The research team’s findings sparked public outrage and would lay the groundwork for the United States’ Clean Air Act. Then in 1952, London’s Great Smog caused at least 4,000 deaths in just a few days (3). Investigations identified coal burning as the primary source, leading to the United Kingdom’s Clean Air Acts (4). Together, these events and the resulting studies marked a turning point. They showed that polluted air was not just unpleasant—it could be deadly. And they laid the foundation for modern air quality regulation and public health research. 1950s: Dr. Haagen-Smit cracks the LA smog code By the 1940s, Los Angeles was known for its thick, eye-stinging smog—but no one fully understood what was causing it. At the time, many believed smog came primarily from industrial emissions. But Biochemistry professor Dr. Arie Haagen-Smit began a series of experiments in 1948 that revealed smog’s true chemistry. He showed that hydrocarbons and nitrogen dioxide could react in sunlight to form ozone, helping explain the toxic photochemical smog blanketing Los Angeles. His research showed that cars—major emitters of both hydrocarbons and nitrogen dioxide—were central to the city’s air pollution (5). This revelation led to the first vehicle emissions standards (6). Haagen-Smit’s work helped clean the air and transform public perception, forcing policymakers to confront human activity’s role in environmental degradation. 1993: The “Harvard Six Cities” study and the toll of dirty air By the early 1990s, scientists had already established that extreme pollution events could be deadly. The next question was more subtle—and more important for everyday life: what about long-term exposure to lower levels of pollution? In 1993, researchers published what came to be known as the “Harvard Six Cities” study in the New England Journal of Medicine (7)(8). The study followed over 8,000 adults in six U.S. cities for up to 16 years. The participants lived in cities with varying air pollution concentrations. Researchers followed participants over time—including through mailed follow-up cards—to compare survival rates across cities with different pollution levels. The study findings linked long-term exposure to PM2.5—even at low to moderate levels then considered “safe”—to premature death. PM2.5 is particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller. The study’s results were confirmed in both a reanalysis of the original study and numerous additional studies. The Harvard Six Cities study would go on to directly influence the WHO’s air quality guidelines (9). The takeaway These breakthroughs changed more than scientific understanding—they changed how societies respond to air pollution. From proving that polluted air could cause immediate harm, to identifying the sources of modern smog, to revealing the long-term risks of fine particle exposure, each discovery helped shape the policies and protections people rely on today. They also offer a reminder: today’s air quality challenges—from microplastics to climate-driven pollution—will require the same combination of curiosity, evidence, and public accountability. Clean air progress begins with research that makes invisible risks visible and actionable. When science is trusted, shared, and turned into policy, it becomes one of the most powerful tools for protecting public health. Observed each year on April 7, World Health Day highlights the importance of science, prevention, and systems that help people live healthier lives. Air quality science is one of the clearest examples of that principle in action—and one of the strongest reminders that healthier futures depend on the evidence we choose to act on.","

Air quality science didn’t advance all at once. It changed through a series of breakthroughs—moments when scientists were able to prove what polluted air was doing to people, where it was coming from, and why it mattered.

Some of the most important discoveries began with simple but urgent questions: Why were people getting sick? What was in the air? And could those risks be prevented?

Three major turning points reshaped how the world understands air pollution today. Together, they helped transform air quality from an invisible environmental concern into a measurable public health issue—one that continues to guide policy, research, and how communities protect themselves.

Scientific breakthroughs only matter if they are shared and acted on. When evidence is delayed, ignored, or dismissed, the consequences can last for years. The history of air quality science shows that progress depends not just on discovery—but on whether societies listen and respond.

1930-1952: Deadly fogs spark modern air quality research

In the early 20th century, air pollution was widespread—but poorly understood. That changed when a series of deadly events forced scientists and governments to confront its health impacts.

In 1930, a dense industrial fog settled over the Meuse Valley in Belgium. The combination of temperature inversion, trapped emissions, and industrial activity led to 64 deaths. Autopsies found severe respiratory damage, including excess mucus, hemorrhaging and fluid in the lungs. Investigators linked the fatalities to sulfur dioxide and other industrial pollutants, and the findings were published in the Bulletin de l'Académie royale de médecine de Belgique in 1931. It was one of the first connect air pollution with mortality (1).

Despite these findings, Belgian authorities laid the blame on chance and local conditions. Ignoring the warnings, other similar, preventable disasters would unfold in later decades in both America and England.

Nearly two decades later, a similar disaster struck Donora, Pennsylvania. In October 1948, a temperature inversion trapped emissions from steel and zinc plants, creating a thick smog that killed 20 people and sickened thousands (2). This time, researchers conducted one of the first large-scale epidemiological studies of air pollution, confirming the role of industrial emissions in the disaster. The research team’s findings sparked public outrage and would lay the groundwork for the United States’ Clean Air Act.

Then in 1952, London’s Great Smog caused at least 4,000 deaths in just a few days (3). Investigations identified coal burning as the primary source, leading to the United Kingdom’s Clean Air Acts (4).

Together, these events and the resulting studies marked a turning point. They showed that polluted air was not just unpleasant—it could be deadly. And they laid the foundation for modern air quality regulation and public health research.

1950s: Dr. Haagen-Smit cracks the LA smog code

By the 1940s, Los Angeles was known for its thick, eye-stinging smog—but no one fully understood what was causing it.

At the time, many believed smog came primarily from industrial emissions. But Biochemistry professor Dr. Arie Haagen-Smit began a series of experiments in 1948 that revealed smog’s true chemistry. He showed that hydrocarbons and nitrogen dioxide could react in sunlight to form ozone, helping explain the toxic photochemical smog blanketing Los Angeles. His research showed that cars—major emitters of both hydrocarbons and nitrogen dioxide—were central to the city’s air pollution (5).

This revelation led to the first vehicle emissions standards (6). Haagen-Smit’s work helped clean the air and transform public perception, forcing policymakers to confront human activity’s role in environmental degradation.

1993: The “Harvard Six Cities” study and the toll of dirty air

By the early 1990s, scientists had already established that extreme pollution events could be deadly. The next question was more subtle—and more important for everyday life: what about long-term exposure to lower levels of pollution?

In 1993, researchers published what came to be known as the “Harvard Six Cities” study in the New England Journal of Medicine (7)(8). The study followed over 8,000 adults in six U.S. cities for up to 16 years. The participants lived in cities with varying air pollution concentrations. Researchers followed participants over time—including through mailed follow-up cards—to compare survival rates across cities with different pollution levels.

The study findings linked long-term exposure to PM2.5—even at low to moderate levels then considered “safe”—to premature death. PM2.5 is particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller.

The study’s results were confirmed in both a reanalysis of the original study and numerous additional studies. The Harvard Six Cities study would go on to directly influence the WHO’s air quality guidelines (9).

The takeaway

These breakthroughs changed more than scientific understanding—they changed how societies respond to air pollution.

From proving that polluted air could cause immediate harm, to identifying the sources of modern smog, to revealing the long-term risks of fine particle exposure, each discovery helped shape the policies and protections people rely on today.

They also offer a reminder: today’s air quality challenges—from microplastics to climate-driven pollution—will require the same combination of curiosity, evidence, and public accountability.

Clean air progress begins with research that makes invisible risks visible and actionable. When science is trusted, shared, and turned into policy, it becomes one of the most powerful tools for protecting public health.

Observed each year on April 7, World Health Day highlights the importance of science, prevention, and systems that help people live healthier lives. Air quality science is one of the clearest examples of that principle in action—and one of the strongest reminders that healthier futures depend on the evidence we choose to act on.

","how-three-major-studies-changed-what-we-know-about-air-pollution","gid://shopify/Article/641011089486","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/how-three-major-studies-changed-what-we-know-about-air-pollution","2026-04-06T16:31:58Z",[1191,705,1170,715],"How three major studies changed what we know about air pollution",{"_10":1229,"_202":-5,"_205":1230,"_207":1177,"_203":1178},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/272791240782","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Blog-D-839x674_dec45394-455e-4a8e-b290-9c912a92040c.jpg?v=1775494803",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1232,"_1139":1233,"_1154":1234,"_1156":1235,"_1158":1236,"_1160":1237,"_1008":1238,"_10":1239,"_1164":1240,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1241,"_635":1242,"_599":1243,"_1172":1244},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"In Hanoi, UDS Pharmacy makes air pollution visible with real-time air monitoring and in-store data display—helping the community act on changing conditions.","

In Hanoi, UDS Pharmacy makes air pollution visible with real-time air monitoring and in-store data display—helping the community act on changing conditions.

","In Hanoi, Vietnam, air pollution is not an abstract concern. It is visible in winter haze, felt during peak traffic hours, and reflected in pollution levels that frequently exceed health guidelines. Reports indicate that Hanoi frequently experiences elevated levels of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter that measure 2.5 microns or less in diameter and are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs) often surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline of 5 μg/m³. In some dry months, daily levels can climb far higher, reaching ranges considered unhealthy or hazardous. Hanoi has also appeared in recent years among the most polluted major cities in global air quality rankings. But pollution is only actionable when people can see it. For many, air quality data still feels distant—something people hear about in headlines or check on an app but do not act on or recognize as an issue worth considering. The result is a gap between what the population is breathing and the behavior that may protect their health. In July 2024, UDS Pharmacy aimed to close this gap and make local air quality data visible at street level. UDS Pharmacy becomes a local air quality hub When UDS Pharmacy opened in Hanoi, it made air quality part of its health mission from day one—not as a slogan, but as actionable, digestible information for customers. By installing IQAir’s air quality monitors at their location and displaying readings inside the store, the pharmacy turned an everyday healthcare stop into a consistent local air information point. Customers can compare outdoor conditions with the air inside the pharmacy. In a city where air quality shifts quickly, adding this local measurement and visibility helps residents interpret their air in real time. Making neighborhood air visible in real time At the center of UDS Pharmacy’s setup is an AirVisual outdoor air quality monitor to track particulate matter such as PM2.5, coupled with an indoor monitor to track conditions like carbon dioxide (CO₂), temperature, and humidity inside the pharmacy. UDS makes this information public, using a large in-store screen that displays indoor readings alongside outdoor conditions, so customers can compare outdoor air quality with the air inside the pharmacy in real time. Color-coded Air Quality Index (AQI) bands make it easier to understand when air is good, moderate, or unhealthy. The result is simple: the air becomes visible in the same place people come for health guidance. Turning outdoor conditions into indoor context The pharmacy’s indoor–outdoor comparison is where data becomes practical. When outdoor PM2.5 rises, the screen provides a cue that conditions have changed—useful for people planning errands with children, older family members, or anyone who is more sensitive to air pollution. Scaling awareness through community participation UDS Pharmacy has become part of IQAir’s Clean Air Facility program, which supports organizations in improving and monitoring indoor air quality and is built around a standard of indoor air that is over 90% cleaner than outdoors. Participation also helps make air quality efforts more visible—connecting real-world measurements with a broader public commitment to healthier indoor environments. UDS’s approach suggests a replicable model. Pharmacies, clinics, and other businesses are uniquely positioned at the intersection of health and daily life. When more community sites monitor and display air quality, the value goes beyond any single storefront: patterns become easier to see—seasonal spikes, rush-hour changes, and the indoor–outdoor contrast during haze events. Over time, that kind of local visibility can help communities make more informed choices and gives public health leaders more grounded reference points for understanding how conditions shift across a city. Conclusion Hanoi’s air pollution challenges remain substantial. Seasonal smog, fluctuating PM2.5 levels, and recurring global rankings underscore the scale of the issue. Yet within that context, UDS Pharmacy demonstrates a practical shift: from treating air quality as an external, uncontrollable factor to making it visible and measurable inside a community space. By combining real-time monitoring and transparent display, the pharmacy transforms an invisible risk into accessible information. Customers can see the numbers, understand the colors, and adjust their choices accordingly. If replicated across more community sites—pharmacies, clinics, schools, offices—such efforts could add clarity to urban air quality landscapes that often feel opaque.","

In Hanoi, Vietnam, air pollution is not an abstract concern. It is visible in winter haze, felt during peak traffic hours, and reflected in pollution levels that frequently exceed health guidelines.

Reports indicate that Hanoi frequently experiences elevated levels of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter that measure 2.5 microns or less in diameter and are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs) often surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline of 5 μg/m³. In some dry months, daily levels can climb far higher, reaching ranges considered unhealthy or hazardous. Hanoi has also appeared in recent years among the most polluted major cities in global air quality rankings.

But pollution is only actionable when people can see it. For many, air quality data still feels distant—something people hear about in headlines or check on an app but do not act on or recognize as an issue worth considering. The result is a gap between what the population is breathing and the behavior that may protect their health.

In July 2024, UDS Pharmacy aimed to close this gap and make local air quality data visible at street level.

UDS Pharmacy becomes a local air quality hub

When UDS Pharmacy opened in Hanoi, it made air quality part of its health mission from day one—not as a slogan, but as actionable, digestible information for customers.

By installing IQAir’s air quality monitors at their location and displaying readings inside the store, the pharmacy turned an everyday healthcare stop into a consistent local air information point. Customers can compare outdoor conditions with the air inside the pharmacy. In a city where air quality shifts quickly, adding this local measurement and visibility helps residents interpret their air in real time.

Making neighborhood air visible in real time

At the center of UDS Pharmacy’s setup is an AirVisual outdoor air quality monitor to track particulate matter such as PM2.5, coupled with an indoor monitor to track conditions like carbon dioxide (CO₂), temperature, and humidity inside the pharmacy.

UDS makes this information public, using a large in-store screen that displays indoor readings alongside outdoor conditions, so customers can compare outdoor air quality with the air inside the pharmacy in real time.

Color-coded Air Quality Index (AQI) bands make it easier to understand when air is good, moderate, or unhealthy.

The result is simple: the air becomes visible in the same place people come for health guidance.

Turning outdoor conditions into indoor context

The pharmacy’s indoor–outdoor comparison is where data becomes practical.

When outdoor PM2.5 rises, the screen provides a cue that conditions have changed—useful for people planning errands with children, older family members, or anyone who is more sensitive to air pollution.

Scaling awareness through community participation

UDS Pharmacy has become part of IQAir’s Clean Air Facility program, which supports organizations in improving and monitoring indoor air quality and is built around a standard of indoor air that is over 90% cleaner than outdoors. Participation also helps make air quality efforts more visible—connecting real-world measurements with a broader public commitment to healthier indoor environments.

UDS’s approach suggests a replicable model. Pharmacies, clinics, and other businesses are uniquely positioned at the intersection of health and daily life. When more community sites monitor and display air quality, the value goes beyond any single storefront: patterns become easier to see—seasonal spikes, rush-hour changes, and the indoor–outdoor contrast during haze events. Over time, that kind of local visibility can help communities make more informed choices and gives public health leaders more grounded reference points for understanding how conditions shift across a city.

Conclusion

Hanoi’s air pollution challenges remain substantial. Seasonal smog, fluctuating PM2.5 levels, and recurring global rankings underscore the scale of the issue.

Yet within that context, UDS Pharmacy demonstrates a practical shift: from treating air quality as an external, uncontrollable factor to making it visible and measurable inside a community space.

By combining real-time monitoring and transparent display, the pharmacy transforms an invisible risk into accessible information. Customers can see the numbers, understand the colors, and adjust their choices accordingly.

If replicated across more community sites—pharmacies, clinics, schools, offices—such efforts could add clarity to urban air quality landscapes that often feel opaque.

","revealing-the-invisible-uds-pharmacy-hanoi-vietnam","gid://shopify/Article/640412221518","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-uds-pharmacy-hanoi-vietnam","2026-03-25T16:57:43Z",[705,710],"Revealing the Invisible: UDS Pharmacy in Hanoi, Vietnam",{"_10":1245,"_202":-5,"_205":1246,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/272810115150","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/A_893ac730-a435-41de-9e2d-d04b77ae9bfb.jpg?v=1775578158",2880,1500,{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1250,"_1139":1251,"_1154":1252,"_1156":1253,"_1158":1254,"_1160":1255,"_1008":1256,"_10":1257,"_1164":1258,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1259,"_635":1260,"_599":1261,"_1172":1262},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"2025 World Air Quality Report analyzes PM2.5 pollution from air quality monitoring stations in 9,446 cities across 143 countries, regions and territories, highlighting global trends, health risks and monitoring gaps.","

2025 World Air Quality Report analyzes PM2.5 pollution from air quality monitoring stations in 9,446 cities across 143 countries, regions and territories, highlighting global trends, health risks and monitoring gaps.

","New data shows global air quality progress stalling as wildfire smoke and climate change intensify global air pollution. Despite some regional improvements, major data gaps remain, with only a fraction of the global population having access to hyper-local, real-time air quality information. STEINACH, Switzerland (March 24, 2026) – IQAir today announced the release of its 8th annual World Air Quality Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of global air pollution data from 2025 and highlighting persistent health risks, emerging regional trends and critical monitoring gaps worldwide. For this year’s report, IQAir analyzed data from monitoring stations across 9,446 cities in 143 countries, regions and territories. The report adds 12 countries and territories not included last year, seven of which appear in the dataset for the first time ever—marking continued expansion of global air quality monitoring coverage. Comparing this year’s report to the previous year, 54 countries experienced increases in annual average PM2.5, 75 saw declines, two remained unchanged and 12 were newly represented in this year’s dataset. Key findings from the 2025 World Air Quality Report: Only 14% of global cities met the World Health Organization (WHO) annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, down from 17% the previous year. Only thirteen countries/territories met the WHO annual average PM2.5 guideline: French Polynesia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Barbados, New Caledonia, Iceland, Bermuda, Réunion, Andorra, Australia, Grenada, Panama, Estonia. 130 out of 143 countries/territories (91%) exceeded the WHO annual average PM2.5 guideline value. The five most polluted countries were Pakistan (67.3 µg/m³), Bangladesh (66.1 µg/m³), Tajikistan (57.3 µg/m³), Chad (53.6 µg/m³) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (50.2 µg/m³). Loni, India, was the most polluted city, recording an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 112.5 µg/m³—a nearly 23% increase from 2024 and more than 22 times the WHO guideline. Nieuwoudtville, South Africa, was the world’s cleanest city, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 1.0 µg/m³. The world’s 25 most polluted cities were all located in India, Pakistan and China, with India home to three of the four most polluted. The most polluted major U.S. city was El Paso, Texas. Southeast Los Angeles, California was the most polluted region in the United States. Seattle, Washington was the cleanest major U.S. city. 2025 marked the second consecutive year in which no cities in East Asia met WHO PM2.5 guidelines. Pollution patterns in China indicate a westward shift in elevated concentrations. Europe saw mixed air pollution trends in 2025, with 23 countries recording higher PM2.5 concentrations and 18 seeing declines, while winter wood burning, summer smoke from Canadian wildfires and Saharan dust worsened seasonal pollution. In Latin America and the Caribbean, air quality trends were largely positive: 208 cities recorded decreases in annual average PM2.5 concentrations, 95 increased, nine remained unchanged and 13 new cities were added. Oceania remained one of the world’s cleanest regions with 61% of cities meeting the WHO guideline, though record-breaking cold in New South Wales, Australia in June 2025 led to seasonal PM2.5 spikes. Wildfires, intensified by climate change, played a major role in degrading global air quality in 2025. Record biomass emissions from Europe and Canada contributed to approximately 1,380 megatons of carbon. Canada was the most polluted country in Northern America for just the second time in this report’s eight-year history, as its second-worst wildfire season on record affected air quality across Canada, the United States and parts of Europe. In the United States, annual average PM2.5 levels increased to 7.3 µg/m³. Smoke from wildfires in both Canada and the U.S. raised averages across parts of the Great Lakes states in the summer and in the Pacific Northwest in the fall. El Paso was the most polluted major city in the United States. Historic dust storms triggered a 46% increase in PM2.5 levels to 11.4 µg/m³ as the city recorded the highest number of major pre-summer dust storms since the 1930s. The Southeast Los Angeles region (Cudahy, East Los Angeles, Huntington Park), heavily impacted by wildland-urban interface fires, ranked as the most polluted area in the country. Seattle remained the cleanest major U.S. city for the second consecutive year, with an annual average of 4.5 µg/m³. Across Europe, 23 countries recorded increases in annual average PM2.5 concentrations, 18 recorded decreases, and one was newly added. Switzerland and Greece experienced increases exceeding 30% due to transboundary wildfire smoke from Northern America and Saharan dust from Africa. Malta recorded the largest decrease at nearly 24%. The end of the United States State Department’s global air quality monitoring program at embassies and consulates in March 2025 caused millions to lose access to air quality data. Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reported monitoring efforts in 44 countries were weakened and six were left without any monitoring. “Air quality is a fragile asset that requires active stewardship to protect public health,” says IQAir Global CEO Frank Hammes. “The 2025 World Air Quality Report makes clear that without monitoring, we cannot fully understand what’s in the air we breathe. Expanding access to real-time data empowers communities to act. By reducing emissions and addressing climate change, we can drive meaningful, lasting improvements in global air quality.” The 2025 report underscores the importance of expanding air quality monitoring networks, particularly through low-cost sensors that empower communities, researchers and policymakers with actionable data. \"The World Air Quality Report reveals two competing realities: an air pollution crisis and the rise of communities, scientists and data working to meet the challenge,” states Dr. Aidan Farrow, Senior Scientist, Greenpeace International. “In 2025, familiar culprits like industrial agriculture, wildfires and fossil fuels left their mark in the data collated by IQAir worldwide. This open, transparent data is an essential tool for holding polluters accountable and securing a healthy environment for everyone.\" IQAir’s 2025 World Air Quality Report serves as a global benchmark to understand air pollution exposure, inform policy decisions and accelerate collective efforts toward cleaner air worldwide. To download the 2025 World Air Quality Report, CLICK HERE. To watch IQAir's video \"Understanding IQAir's 2025 World Air Quality Report: A Global View,\" CLICK HERE. Media contact:Armen Araradianpr.na@iqair.com+1 (562) 252-8224","

New data shows global air quality progress stalling as wildfire smoke and climate change intensify global air pollution. Despite some regional improvements, major data gaps remain, with only a fraction of the global population having access to hyper-local, real-time air quality information.

STEINACH, Switzerland (March 24, 2026) – IQAir today announced the release of its 8th annual World Air Quality Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of global air pollution data from 2025 and highlighting persistent health risks, emerging regional trends and critical monitoring gaps worldwide.

For this year’s report, IQAir analyzed data from monitoring stations across 9,446 cities in 143 countries, regions and territories. The report adds 12 countries and territories not included last year, seven of which appear in the dataset for the first time ever—marking continued expansion of global air quality monitoring coverage.

Comparing this year’s report to the previous year, 54 countries experienced increases in annual average PM2.5, 75 saw declines, two remained unchanged and 12 were newly represented in this year’s dataset.

Key findings from the 2025 World Air Quality Report:

Only 14% of global cities met the World Health Organization (WHO) annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, down from 17% the previous year.
\n
Only thirteen countries/territories met the WHO annual average PM2.5 guideline: French Polynesia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Barbados, New Caledonia, Iceland, Bermuda, Réunion, Andorra, Australia, Grenada, Panama, Estonia.
\n
130 out of 143 countries/territories (91%) exceeded the WHO annual average PM2.5 guideline value.
\n
The five most polluted countries were Pakistan (67.3 µg/m³), Bangladesh (66.1 µg/m³), Tajikistan (57.3 µg/m³), Chad (53.6 µg/m³) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (50.2 µg/m³).
\n
\nLoni, India, was the most polluted city, recording an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 112.5 µg/m³—a nearly 23% increase from 2024 and more than 22 times the WHO guideline.
\n
\nNieuwoudtville, South Africa, was the world’s cleanest city, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 1.0 µg/m³.
\n
The world’s 25 most polluted cities were all located in India, Pakistan and China, with India home to three of the four most polluted.
\n
The most polluted major U.S. city was El Paso, Texas. Southeast Los Angeles, California was the most polluted region in the United States. Seattle, Washington was the cleanest major U.S. city.
\n
2025 marked the second consecutive year in which no cities in East Asia met WHO PM2.5 guidelines. Pollution patterns in China indicate a westward shift in elevated concentrations.
\n
Europe saw mixed air pollution trends in 2025, with 23 countries recording higher PM2.5 concentrations and 18 seeing declines, while winter wood burning, summer smoke from Canadian wildfires and Saharan dust worsened seasonal pollution.
\n
In Latin America and the Caribbean, air quality trends were largely positive: 208 cities recorded decreases in annual average PM2.5 concentrations, 95 increased, nine remained unchanged and 13 new cities were added.
\n
Oceania remained one of the world’s cleanest regions with 61% of cities meeting the WHO guideline, though record-breaking cold in New South Wales, Australia in June 2025 led to seasonal PM2.5 spikes.

Wildfires, intensified by climate change, played a major role in degrading global air quality in 2025. Record biomass emissions from Europe and Canada contributed to approximately 1,380 megatons of carbon. Canada was the most polluted country in Northern America for just the second time in this report’s eight-year history, as its second-worst wildfire season on record affected air quality across Canada, the United States and parts of Europe.

In the United States, annual average PM2.5 levels increased to 7.3 µg/m³. Smoke from wildfires in both Canada and the U.S. raised averages across parts of the Great Lakes states in the summer and in the Pacific Northwest in the fall.

El Paso was the most polluted major city in the United States. Historic dust storms triggered a 46% increase in PM2.5 levels to 11.4 µg/m³ as the city recorded the highest number of major pre-summer dust storms since the 1930s. The Southeast Los Angeles region (Cudahy, East Los Angeles, Huntington Park), heavily impacted by wildland-urban interface fires, ranked as the most polluted area in the country. Seattle remained the cleanest major U.S. city for the second consecutive year, with an annual average of 4.5 µg/m³.

Across Europe, 23 countries recorded increases in annual average PM2.5 concentrations, 18 recorded decreases, and one was newly added. Switzerland and Greece experienced increases exceeding 30% due to transboundary wildfire smoke from Northern America and Saharan dust from Africa. Malta recorded the largest decrease at nearly 24%.

The end of the United States State Department’s global air quality monitoring program at embassies and consulates in March 2025 caused millions to lose access to air quality data. Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reported monitoring efforts in 44 countries were weakened and six were left without any monitoring.

“Air quality is a fragile asset that requires active stewardship to protect public health,” says IQAir Global CEO Frank Hammes. “The 2025 World Air Quality Report makes clear that without monitoring, we cannot fully understand what’s in the air we breathe. Expanding access to real-time data empowers communities to act. By reducing emissions and addressing climate change, we can drive meaningful, lasting improvements in global air quality.”

The 2025 report underscores the importance of expanding air quality monitoring networks, particularly through low-cost sensors that empower communities, researchers and policymakers with actionable data.

\"The World Air Quality Report reveals two competing realities: an air pollution crisis and the rise of communities, scientists and data working to meet the challenge,” states Dr. Aidan Farrow, Senior Scientist, Greenpeace International. “In 2025, familiar culprits like industrial agriculture, wildfires and fossil fuels left their mark in the data collated by IQAir worldwide. This open, transparent data is an essential tool for holding polluters accountable and securing a healthy environment for everyone.\"

IQAir’s 2025 World Air Quality Report serves as a global benchmark to understand air pollution exposure, inform policy decisions and accelerate collective efforts toward cleaner air worldwide.

To download the 2025 World Air Quality Report, CLICK HERE.

To watch IQAir's video \"Understanding IQAir's 2025 World Air Quality Report: A Global View,\" CLICK HERE.

Media contact:
Armen Araradian
pr.na@iqair.com
+1 (562) 252-8224

","waqr-2025-pr","gid://shopify/Article/640795246670","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/waqr-2025-pr","2026-03-24T03:46:54Z",[1191,705,907],"IQAir’s 2025 World Air Quality Report finds only 14% of cities meet WHO air pollution guideline",{"_10":1263,"_202":-5,"_205":1264,"_207":1177,"_203":1178},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/272709648462","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/2025WAQR_D_v3_e78b1ec5-e904-4ca0-85b6-2d50df757a50.jpg?v=1774920599",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1266,"_1139":1267,"_1154":1268,"_1156":1269,"_1158":1270,"_1160":1271,"_1008":1272,"_10":1273,"_1164":1274,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1275,"_635":1276,"_599":1277,"_1172":1278},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Don’t wait for smoke to fill the skies – follow these tips to be ready for crop burning season this year.","

Don’t wait for smoke to fill the skies – follow these tips to be ready for crop burning season this year.

","Crop burning is the deliberate burning of agricultural leftovers, such as rice straw or wheat stubble, to clear fields quickly for the next planting cycle. Crop burning smoke can travel hundreds of miles and linger for days or weeks, depending on weather conditions. Millions of tons of crop residue are burned annually, sending smoke into distant cities and neighboring countries (1). Agricultural fire smoke creates a recurring seasonal health problem that disrupts daily life, strains healthcare systems, and deepens the global burden of air pollution. In the weeks leading up to crop burning season, it’s critical to make a plan to avoid exposure to smoke and airborne pollutants. What is crop burning? Crop burning is a fast, low-cost way to clear leftover plant material after harvest. Farmers may burn straw, stalks, or stubble directly in the field, or pile residues and burn them in one place. For many growers, time is critical. There is often only a short window between harvest and the next planting. Burning can remove heavy residue quickly, reduce certain pests or plant diseases, and prepare fields faster than mechanical methods that require extra fuel, labor, and equipment passes. Burns often happen in that narrow window between harvest and planting, which is why smoke shows up seasonally. Weather plays a major role, and wind can carry smoke far beyond the field, while still air can trap it closer to the ground. Burning is efficient, but it comes with trade-offs. Some nutrients in crop residue—especially nitrogen and sulfur—can turn into gases and drift away with the smoke. Others, like phosphorus and potassium, remain in the ash, which can blow away or wash off the field before those nutrients return to the soil (2). The science behind the smoke When crops burn, they release a complex, invisible cocktail of pollutants. When crops burn, they release a complex, invisible cocktail of pollutants. At the forefront is PM2.5, particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter. These microscopic particles are small enough to bypass some of the body’s defenses, reach deep into the lungs, and in some cases enter the bloodstream. PM2.5 can trigger inflammation, worsen asthma, and is linked to long-term risks like lung cancer and heart disease. Crop burning smoke can also release carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), all pollutants that can negatively impact human health. Studies have found links between crop burning spikes and rises in hospital admissions for respiratory diseases, including asthma (3). Who is most at risk? When crop burning season arrives, the health burden falls greatest on those individuals who are the most vulnerable. Children, whose lungs are still developing, face heightened risks of asthma and stunted lung growth from prolonged exposure to PM2.5 (4). The elderly, especially those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, see hospitalizations surge as fine particles deepen inflammation and exacerbate chronic diseases (5). For outdoor workers, including farm workers, there’s no escaping the impact of crop residue smoke. For outdoor workers, including farm workers, there’s no escaping the impact of crop residue smoke. Their livelihoods force them into the thick of the pollution, where every breath increases the risk of severe respiratory distress. People with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases can be strongly impacted by the smoke. Repeated exposure to PM2.5 from smoke aggravates asthma, decreases lung function, and is linked to premature death (6). In urban populations downwind, particularly in densely packed cities with poor ventilation, smoke settles into a stubborn haze. Low-income communities, often lacking access to air filtration or healthcare, are hit hardest. Where is crop burning most common? Crop residue burning happens in agricultural regions worldwide. It tends to be most prevalent where large harvests are followed by a short turnaround to the next planting, and where residue is difficult to manage quickly with equipment, labor, or storage options. South Asia Burning is widespread after harvests, especially for wheat, rice, and maize stubble. Smoke can drift across borders, affecting parts of Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal (7). During the post-monsoon burning season, studies estimate crop-residue burning can contribute about 30–34% of surface PM2.5 on average, and about 50–56% during plume events that transport smoke downwind toward major population centers (8). East Asia China has worked to curb crop stubble burning, but enforcement varies and seasonal burning persists—particularly in parts of Northeast China (9). Southeast Asia In mainland Southeast Asia, seasonal haze has been strongly linked to open biomass burning, a category that includes agricultural residue burning along with other burning types. One regional analysis estimated open biomass burning contributed about 57% of PM2.5 concentrations across parts of mainland Southeast Asia during the period studied. In addition to crop residue burning, land clearing practices in countries such as Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia contribute to seasonal haze. Smoke can travel across national borders and affect neighboring countries downwind. Regional coordination has increased, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has pledged to phase out the practice across member states (10) Europe Many European Union member states and the United Kingdom have strong restrictions on open burning. Even so, smoke can still drift in from neighboring countries where enforcement is weaker or where rules differ (11)(12). United States In the United States, agricultural burning occurs in multiple crop systems and has been identified as an understudied health concern for some rural communities, including parts of the Upper Great Plains . In EPA’s 2020 National Emissions Inventory (NEI), agricultural burning is shown as a measurable PM2.5 emissions source, with emissions concentrated in Florida, Washington, Georgia, and Horth Dakota, among others (13). Global and local efforts to curb crop burning The first step in preparing for crop burning season is to eliminate the smoke at its source. If farmers lack access to alternatives to residue burning and enforcement is inconsistent, there can be mitigation challenges. But there are promising solutions that combine top-down policies with grassroots adoption of new technologies. The first step in preparing for crop burning season is to eliminate the smoke at its source. For instance, India provides subsidies for “happy seeders,” machines that plant new crops without burning stubble. Farmers who adopted the technology were able to cut costs on land preparation, irrigation, and fuel use while still maintaining consistent, moderate crop yields (14). China’s strict bans and enforcement via satellite surveillance helped reduce fires in key provinces like Heilongjiang (15). However, controlled fires are starting to make a comeback as some local officials are loosening restrictions. While there are companies and initiatives to pay farmers for stubble use as biofuels or animal feed, greater subsidies may be needed to support farmers due to the high supply and low demand for crop waste. Turning waste into income offers a powerful alternative to the traditional burns. For instance, in Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam are piloting programs to convert rice straw into biofuel or compost, turning waste into revenue (16) (17). If you live downwind of agricultural regions—or you’ve seen seasonal haze before—planning ahead can reduce exposure when smoke returns. How to protect your family and community Stopping the fires at their source is critical. Even so, it’s essential to develop an action plan and know what steps to take before smoke begins to drift into homes and businesses. What governments, communities, and organizations can do Pass legislation strongly limiting crop burning and regularly enforcing those laws. Support local farmers by providing subsidies for no-burn equipment and techniques. Push local, regional, and national officials for stricter enforcement of burning bans. Report violations to local environmental agencies. Help connect farmers with cooperatives that offer affordable rentals of no burn equipment. What individuals can do Before smoke arrives: Set up a simple monitoring routine: check PM2.5 and the Air Quality Index (AQI) regularly so you can spot poor air quality conditions early. Ventilate only when outdoor air is clean. Prep your indoor air plan: identify a “clean room” (usually a bedroom or living room) where you can keep windows closed and run a high-performance air purifier. If you may need to be outdoors during smoky periods, keep a well-fitted pollution mask on hand. When smoke is high: Keep windows and doors closed and avoid bringing smoky air indoors. Reduce indoor pollution sources that add particles to the air (for example: don’t burn candles, limit frying or high-smoke cooking). Move exercise and kids’ playtime indoors until air quality improves. If you must go outside, wear a well-fitted face mask and keep outdoor time as short as possible. Run a high-performance air purifier consistently, especially in your clean room. Track conditions with an air quality monitor and an air quality app so you can adjust quickly as smoke rises or clears. Conclusion Push for stronger legislation and enforcement, or helping farmers adopt smokeless alternatives, there are options for helping get ahead of the annual smoke. This harvest season, take steps to safeguard your health, stand with vulnerable neighbors, and demand systems that prioritize clean air for all.","

Crop burning is the deliberate burning of agricultural leftovers, such as rice straw or wheat stubble, to clear fields quickly for the next planting cycle. Crop burning smoke can travel hundreds of miles and linger for days or weeks, depending on weather conditions.

Millions of tons of crop residue are burned annually, sending smoke into distant cities and neighboring countries (1). Agricultural fire smoke creates a recurring seasonal health problem that disrupts daily life, strains healthcare systems, and deepens the global burden of air pollution.

In the weeks leading up to crop burning season, it’s critical to make a plan to avoid exposure to smoke and airborne pollutants.

What is crop burning?

Crop burning is a fast, low-cost way to clear leftover plant material after harvest. Farmers may burn straw, stalks, or stubble directly in the field, or pile residues and burn them in one place.

For many growers, time is critical. There is often only a short window between harvest and the next planting. Burning can remove heavy residue quickly, reduce certain pests or plant diseases, and prepare fields faster than mechanical methods that require extra fuel, labor, and equipment passes.

Burns often happen in that narrow window between harvest and planting, which is why smoke shows up seasonally. Weather plays a major role, and wind can carry smoke far beyond the field, while still air can trap it closer to the ground.

Burning is efficient, but it comes with trade-offs. Some nutrients in crop residue—especially nitrogen and sulfur—can turn into gases and drift away with the smoke. Others, like phosphorus and potassium, remain in the ash, which can blow away or wash off the field before those nutrients return to the soil (2).

The science behind the smoke

When crops burn, they release a complex, invisible cocktail of pollutants.

When crops burn, they release a complex, invisible cocktail of pollutants.

At the forefront is PM2.5, particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter. These microscopic particles are small enough to bypass some of the body’s defenses, reach deep into the lungs, and in some cases enter the bloodstream. PM2.5 can trigger inflammation, worsen asthma, and is linked to long-term risks like lung cancer and heart disease.

Crop burning smoke can also release carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), all pollutants that can negatively impact human health.

Studies have found links between crop burning spikes and rises in hospital admissions for respiratory diseases, including asthma (3).

Who is most at risk?

When crop burning season arrives, the health burden falls greatest on those individuals who are the most vulnerable.

Children, whose lungs are still developing, face heightened risks of asthma and stunted lung growth from prolonged exposure to PM2.5 (4). The elderly, especially those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, see hospitalizations surge as fine particles deepen inflammation and exacerbate chronic diseases (5).

For outdoor workers, including farm workers, there’s no escaping the impact of crop residue smoke.

For outdoor workers, including farm workers, there’s no escaping the impact of crop residue smoke. Their livelihoods force them into the thick of the pollution, where every breath increases the risk of severe respiratory distress.

People with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases can be strongly impacted by the smoke. Repeated exposure to PM2.5 from smoke aggravates asthma, decreases lung function, and is linked to premature death (6).

In urban populations downwind, particularly in densely packed cities with poor ventilation, smoke settles into a stubborn haze. Low-income communities, often lacking access to air filtration or healthcare, are hit hardest.

Where is crop burning most common?

Crop residue burning happens in agricultural regions worldwide. It tends to be most prevalent where large harvests are followed by a short turnaround to the next planting, and where residue is difficult to manage quickly with equipment, labor, or storage options.

South Asia

Burning is widespread after harvests, especially for wheat, rice, and maize stubble. Smoke can drift across borders, affecting parts of Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal (7). During the post-monsoon burning season, studies estimate crop-residue burning can contribute about 30–34% of surface PM2.5 on average, and about 50–56% during plume events that transport smoke downwind toward major population centers (8).

East Asia

China has worked to curb crop stubble burning, but enforcement varies and seasonal burning persists—particularly in parts of Northeast China (9).

Southeast Asia

In mainland Southeast Asia, seasonal haze has been strongly linked to open biomass burning, a category that includes agricultural residue burning along with other burning types. One regional analysis estimated open biomass burning contributed about 57% of PM2.5 concentrations across parts of mainland Southeast Asia during the period studied.

In addition to crop residue burning, land clearing practices in countries such as Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia contribute to seasonal haze. Smoke can travel across national borders and affect neighboring countries downwind. Regional coordination has increased, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has pledged to phase out the practice across member states (10)

Europe

Many European Union member states and the United Kingdom have strong restrictions on open burning. Even so, smoke can still drift in from neighboring countries where enforcement is weaker or where rules differ (11)(12).

United States

In the United States, agricultural burning occurs in multiple crop systems and has been identified as an understudied health concern for some rural communities, including parts of the Upper Great Plains . In EPA’s 2020 National Emissions Inventory (NEI), agricultural burning is shown as a measurable PM2.5 emissions source, with emissions concentrated in Florida, Washington, Georgia, and Horth Dakota, among others (13).

Global and local efforts to curb crop burning

The first step in preparing for crop burning season is to eliminate the smoke at its source. If farmers lack access to alternatives to residue burning and enforcement is inconsistent, there can be mitigation challenges. But there are promising solutions that combine top-down policies with grassroots adoption of new technologies.

The first step in preparing for crop burning season is to eliminate the smoke at its source.

For instance, India provides subsidies for “happy seeders,” machines that plant new crops without burning stubble. Farmers who adopted the technology were able to cut costs on land preparation, irrigation, and fuel use while still maintaining consistent, moderate crop yields (14).

China’s strict bans and enforcement via satellite surveillance helped reduce fires in key provinces like Heilongjiang (15). However, controlled fires are starting to make a comeback as some local officials are loosening restrictions. While there are companies and initiatives to pay farmers for stubble use as biofuels or animal feed, greater subsidies may be needed to support farmers due to the high supply and low demand for crop waste.

Turning waste into income offers a powerful alternative to the traditional burns. For instance, in Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam are piloting programs to convert rice straw into biofuel or compost, turning waste into revenue (16) (17).

If you live downwind of agricultural regions—or you’ve seen seasonal haze before—planning ahead can reduce exposure when smoke returns.

How to protect your family and community

Stopping the fires at their source is critical. Even so, it’s essential to develop an action plan and know what steps to take before smoke begins to drift into homes and businesses.

What governments, communities, and organizations can do

Pass legislation strongly limiting crop burning and regularly enforcing those laws.
Support local farmers by providing subsidies for no-burn equipment and techniques.
Push local, regional, and national officials for stricter enforcement of burning bans.
Report violations to local environmental agencies.
Help connect farmers with cooperatives that offer affordable rentals of no burn equipment.

What individuals can do

Before smoke arrives:

Set up a simple monitoring routine: check PM2.5 and the Air Quality Index (AQI) regularly so you can spot poor air quality conditions early.
Ventilate only when outdoor air is clean.
Prep your indoor air plan: identify a “clean room” (usually a bedroom or living room) where you can keep windows closed and run a high-performance air purifier.
If you may need to be outdoors during smoky periods, keep a well-fitted pollution mask on hand.

When smoke is high:

Keep windows and doors closed and avoid bringing smoky air indoors.
Reduce indoor pollution sources that add particles to the air (for example: don’t burn candles, limit frying or high-smoke cooking).
Move exercise and kids’ playtime indoors until air quality improves.
If you must go outside, wear a well-fitted face mask and keep outdoor time as short as possible.
Run a high-performance air purifier consistently, especially in your clean room.
Track conditions with an air quality monitor and an air quality app so you can adjust quickly as smoke rises or clears.

Conclusion

Push for stronger legislation and enforcement, or helping farmers adopt smokeless alternatives, there are options for helping get ahead of the annual smoke.

This harvest season, take steps to safeguard your health, stand with vulnerable neighbors, and demand systems that prioritize clean air for all.

","how-to-prepare-for-crop-burning-season","gid://shopify/Article/640445677646","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/how-to-prepare-for-crop-burning-season","2026-03-16T16:39:46Z",[1191,705,715],"How to prepare for crop burning season",{"_10":1279,"_202":-5,"_205":1280,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/272948920398","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/A_3760668a-a28e-4eff-b242-6f11f79b095a.jpg?v=1776697233",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1282,"_1139":1283,"_1154":1284,"_1156":1285,"_1158":1286,"_1160":1287,"_1008":1288,"_10":1289,"_1164":1290,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1291,"_635":1292,"_599":1293,"_1172":1294},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Air pollution impacts the most at-risk, marginalized communities in the world – find out why, and what can be done to right this environmental wrong.","

Air pollution impacts the most at-risk, marginalized communities in the world – find out why, and what can be done to right this environmental wrong.

","Yes, air pollution is a social justice issue. Every year, 7 million people die prematurely due to air pollution, which disproportionately impacts the world’s most vulnerable populations. Low- and middle-income countries shoulder nearly 90% of these deaths, with marginalized communities—particularly women, children, and Indigenous peoples—facing the highest exposure to air pollution (1). Yet the true scale of the problem often remains hidden. Underserved urban areas and industrial zones frequently lack adequate air quality monitoring, leaving residents unaware of the pollutants they breathe each day. Without reliable local data, health risks go unrecognized, policy responses lag, and communities are left without the tools needed to advocate for cleaner air. Air pollution becomes a social justice issue not only because of who is exposed, but because exposure, measurement, and protection are distributed unevenly by design. Who breathes the dirtiest air? Patterns of air pollution exposure closely mirror patterns of race, income, and political power—both within countries and across regions. A large body of research shows that racial minorities and low-income populations—across both urban and rural settings—are disproportionately exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and industrial emissions, even within the same cities and neighborhoods. According to the landmark 1987 Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States report by the United Church of Christ, race was the strongest predictor of proximity to hazardous waste sites nationwide—stronger than income, home value, or urbanization. The study’s national findings revealed a clear and consistent pattern: Communities with no commercial hazardous waste facilities averaged 12% minority populations (the national average at the time). Communities with one facility averaged 24% minority populations—double the national average. Communities with multiple facilities or one of the nation’s largest landfills averaged 38% minority populations, more than three times the national average. Three out of five Black and Hispanic Americans lived in communities with uncontrolled toxic waste sites. These results were statistically significant at 99.99% confidence, making chance an implausible explanation. Decades of subsequent research have reinforced these findings, showing that such disparities persist through modern infrastructure development, zoning decisions, and transportation planning (2)(3). In the United States, for example, regulatory air quality monitors are used to enforce the Clean Air Act. However, a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that many communities—particularly non-white and low-income neighborhoods—are routinely underserved by these monitoring networks, especially for pollutants such as lead and sulfur dioxide (4). As a result, harmful exposures can remain undetected and unaddressed. Without measurement, pollution remains invisible—and what isn’t measured is rarely prioritized. In the United States, this invisibility has real regulatory consequences. Clean Air Act protections are enforced using data from U.S. EPA regulatory air quality monitors, which determine whether areas meet national health standards and trigger enforcement actions. When monitors are missing from predominantly non-white or low-income neighborhoods—as multiple studies have shown—those communities are less likely to be counted in attainment decisions, mitigation plans, or regulatory responses. In practice, uneven monitoring can mean uneven protection under the law (5). These disparities are not unique to the United States—they reflect a broader global pattern. In Australia, rural Indigenous populations are more likely to experience elevated exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 due to dust, bushfire smoke, and woodfire cooking practices (6). Across regions, communities with fewer resources are more likely to live closer to pollution sources—and less likely to benefit from monitoring, mitigation, or enforcement. Health gaps caused by air pollution The health consequences of unequal air pollution exposure are significant and long-lasting, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups. Children growing up in polluted neighborhoods—especially those near highways, industrial facilities, or waste sites—face higher rates of asthma and respiratory illness. Elevated asthma prevalence linked to both indoor and outdoor air pollution has been documented across continents (7). In California’s Inland Empire, for example, pediatric asthma emergency department visits reached 60.5% in San Bernardino County and 59.3% in Riverside County, compared to a statewide average of 56.7% (8). These regions are characterized by basin-like geography that traps vehicle and industrial emissions, leading to sustained periods of poor air quality (9). The impacts extend beyond childhood. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 has been associated with reduced life expectancy—by as much as one to two years in highly polluted areas—particularly where pollution levels exceed World Health Organization guidelines (10). Globally, nearly 2 million new pediatric asthma cases each year are attributed to traffic-related nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure alone (11). When preventable health burdens follow the same social and economic lines as pollution exposure, the issue moves beyond public health and into the realm of equity. Systemic barriers to clean air Unequal exposure to air pollution is rarely accidental. It is often the result of policy decisions, planning practices, and enforcement gaps that accumulate over time. Weak enforcement of environmental regulations, limited access to clean technologies, and exclusionary urban planning practices contribute to a cycle of vulnerability that affects marginalized communities worldwide. One well-documented example occurred in Flint, Michigan, where a 2014 switch to a contaminated water source exposed predominantly Black residents to lead for years. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission later concluded that “historical, structural, and systemic racism” played a critical role in the harm experienced by the community (12). Similar patterns appear internationally: Jakarta, Indonesia: lower-income neighborhoods experience higher pollution levels due to waste burning and cooking fires (13). South Africa: Black and low-income communities located near coal plants and mining operations face some of the country’s highest pollution levels, while wealthier areas benefit from stricter regulation and more green space (14). India: Dalit communities are disproportionately located near industrial zones and coal mines, reflecting long-standing caste-based and economic inequities (15) (16). Across these contexts, communities with the least political and economic leverage are consistently those most exposed to environmental harm. Exposure is often reinforced not just by pollution sources, but by how cities and communities are designed. These environmental burdens are often compounded by exclusion from planning and decision-making processes. Neighborhoods with fewer trees, more paved surfaces, and limited green infrastructure experience higher heat stress, reduced air circulation, and greater vulnerability as climate change intensifies existing disparities. Fighting environmental injustice, protecting community health Efforts to address air pollution inequities increasingly involve a combination of grassroots advocacy, policy reform, and expanded access to data. Some governments have begun to act, though progress remains uneven. India’s National Clean Air Programme, launched in 2019, aims to reduce PM2.5 levels in the country’s most polluted cities, while citizen-led court cases in countries such as Pakistan and Indonesia have established government responsibility for protecting public health through improved air quality management (17). While these efforts represent important progress, they also highlight how much opportunity remains to reduce inequities more systematically. What governments can doTargeted investments in clean energy, public transportation, and healthcare—designed with direct input from affected communities—can help reduce disparities. Expanding access to air purification in schools and public buildings, for example, has been linked to measurable respiratory health improvements. What individuals can doIndividuals can also play a role by staying informed, reducing personal exposure, and supporting broader air quality awareness efforts. Use a free air quality app to track local conditions. Wear a well-fitting face mask on poor air quality days. Participate in community air quality monitoring initiatives. Here are some examples in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ghana. Conclusion Air pollution is a social justice issue because exposure, harm, and protection are not distributed equally. Communities with the fewest resources and the least influence over environmental decision-making are often those most exposed to polluted air—and least equipped to measure or mitigate its impacts. Each year on February 20, the world observes World Day of Social Justice—a reminder that equity extends beyond income, education, and opportunity to include the air we breathe (18). Air pollution is both an environmental and a social justice challenge, shaped by policy choices, infrastructure decisions, and access to information. Addressing this imbalance requires centering equity in air quality policy, expanding access to reliable data, and ensuring that the voices of frontline communities are included in solutions. Clean air is a fundamental human right. Making air quality visible, measurable, and actionable is one of the most direct—and necessary—steps toward environmental justice.","

Yes, air pollution is a social justice issue. Every year, 7 million people die prematurely due to air pollution, which disproportionately impacts the world’s most vulnerable populations. Low- and middle-income countries shoulder nearly 90% of these deaths, with marginalized communities—particularly women, children, and Indigenous peoples—facing the highest exposure to air pollution (1).

Yet the true scale of the problem often remains hidden. Underserved urban areas and industrial zones frequently lack adequate air quality monitoring, leaving residents unaware of the pollutants they breathe each day. Without reliable local data, health risks go unrecognized, policy responses lag, and communities are left without the tools needed to advocate for cleaner air. Air pollution becomes a social justice issue not only because of who is exposed, but because exposure, measurement, and protection are distributed unevenly by design.

Who breathes the dirtiest air?

Patterns of air pollution exposure closely mirror patterns of race, income, and political power—both within countries and across regions.

A large body of research shows that racial minorities and low-income populations—across both urban and rural settings—are disproportionately exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and industrial emissions, even within the same cities and neighborhoods.

According to the landmark 1987 Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States report by the United Church of Christ, race was the strongest predictor of proximity to hazardous waste sites nationwide—stronger than income, home value, or urbanization.

The study’s national findings revealed a clear and consistent pattern:

Communities with no commercial hazardous waste facilities averaged 12% minority populations (the national average at the time).
Communities with one facility averaged 24% minority populations—double the national average.
Communities with multiple facilities or one of the nation’s largest landfills averaged 38% minority populations, more than three times the national average.
Three out of five Black and Hispanic Americans lived in communities with uncontrolled toxic waste sites.

These results were statistically significant at 99.99% confidence, making chance an implausible explanation. Decades of subsequent research have reinforced these findings, showing that such disparities persist through modern infrastructure development, zoning decisions, and transportation planning (2)(3).

In the United States, for example, regulatory air quality monitors are used to enforce the Clean Air Act. However, a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that many communities—particularly non-white and low-income neighborhoods—are routinely underserved by these monitoring networks, especially for pollutants such as lead and sulfur dioxide (4). As a result, harmful exposures can remain undetected and unaddressed. Without measurement, pollution remains invisible—and what isn’t measured is rarely prioritized.

In the United States, this invisibility has real regulatory consequences. Clean Air Act protections are enforced using data from U.S. EPA regulatory air quality monitors, which determine whether areas meet national health standards and trigger enforcement actions. When monitors are missing from predominantly non-white or low-income neighborhoods—as multiple studies have shown—those communities are less likely to be counted in attainment decisions, mitigation plans, or regulatory responses. In practice, uneven monitoring can mean uneven protection under the law (5).

These disparities are not unique to the United States—they reflect a broader global pattern. In Australia, rural Indigenous populations are more likely to experience elevated exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 due to dust, bushfire smoke, and woodfire cooking practices (6). Across regions, communities with fewer resources are more likely to live closer to pollution sources—and less likely to benefit from monitoring, mitigation, or enforcement.

Health gaps caused by air pollution

The health consequences of unequal air pollution exposure are significant and long-lasting, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.

Children growing up in polluted neighborhoods—especially those near highways, industrial facilities, or waste sites—face higher rates of asthma and respiratory illness. Elevated asthma prevalence linked to both indoor and outdoor air pollution has been documented across continents (7).

In California’s Inland Empire, for example, pediatric asthma emergency department visits reached 60.5% in San Bernardino County and 59.3% in Riverside County, compared to a statewide average of 56.7% (8). These regions are characterized by basin-like geography that traps vehicle and industrial emissions, leading to sustained periods of poor air quality (9).

The impacts extend beyond childhood. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 has been associated with reduced life expectancy—by as much as one to two years in highly polluted areas—particularly where pollution levels exceed World Health Organization guidelines (10). Globally, nearly 2 million new pediatric asthma cases each year are attributed to traffic-related nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure alone (11).

When preventable health burdens follow the same social and economic lines as pollution exposure, the issue moves beyond public health and into the realm of equity.

Systemic barriers to clean air

Unequal exposure to air pollution is rarely accidental. It is often the result of policy decisions, planning practices, and enforcement gaps that accumulate over time.

Weak enforcement of environmental regulations, limited access to clean technologies, and exclusionary urban planning practices contribute to a cycle of vulnerability that affects marginalized communities worldwide.

One well-documented example occurred in Flint, Michigan, where a 2014 switch to a contaminated water source exposed predominantly Black residents to lead for years. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission later concluded that “historical, structural, and systemic racism” played a critical role in the harm experienced by the community (12).

Similar patterns appear internationally:

Jakarta, Indonesia: lower-income neighborhoods experience higher pollution levels due to waste burning and cooking fires (13).

South Africa: Black and low-income communities located near coal plants and mining operations face some of the country’s highest pollution levels, while wealthier areas benefit from stricter regulation and more green space (14).

India: Dalit communities are disproportionately located near industrial zones and coal mines, reflecting long-standing caste-based and economic inequities (15) (16).

Across these contexts, communities with the least political and economic leverage are consistently those most exposed to environmental harm. Exposure is often reinforced not just by pollution sources, but by how cities and communities are designed.

These environmental burdens are often compounded by exclusion from planning and decision-making processes. Neighborhoods with fewer trees, more paved surfaces, and limited green infrastructure experience higher heat stress, reduced air circulation, and greater vulnerability as climate change intensifies existing disparities.

Fighting environmental injustice, protecting community health

Efforts to address air pollution inequities increasingly involve a combination of grassroots advocacy, policy reform, and expanded access to data.

Some governments have begun to act, though progress remains uneven. India’s National Clean Air Programme, launched in 2019, aims to reduce PM2.5 levels in the country’s most polluted cities, while citizen-led court cases in countries such as Pakistan and Indonesia have established government responsibility for protecting public health through improved air quality management (17).

While these efforts represent important progress, they also highlight how much opportunity remains to reduce inequities more systematically.

What governments can do
Targeted investments in clean energy, public transportation, and healthcare—designed with direct input from affected communities—can help reduce disparities. Expanding access to air purification in schools and public buildings, for example, has been linked to measurable respiratory health improvements.

What individuals can do
Individuals can also play a role by staying informed, reducing personal exposure, and supporting broader air quality awareness efforts.

Use a free air quality app to track local conditions.
\nWear a well-fitting face mask on poor air quality days.
Participate in community air quality monitoring initiatives. Here are some examples in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ghana.

Conclusion

Air pollution is a social justice issue because exposure, harm, and protection are not distributed equally. Communities with the fewest resources and the least influence over environmental decision-making are often those most exposed to polluted air—and least equipped to measure or mitigate its impacts.

Each year on February 20, the world observes World Day of Social Justice—a reminder that equity extends beyond income, education, and opportunity to include the air we breathe (18). Air pollution is both an environmental and a social justice challenge, shaped by policy choices, infrastructure decisions, and access to information.

Addressing this imbalance requires centering equity in air quality policy, expanding access to reliable data, and ensuring that the voices of frontline communities are included in solutions. Clean air is a fundamental human right. Making air quality visible, measurable, and actionable is one of the most direct—and necessary—steps toward environmental justice.

","is-air-pollution-a-social-justice-issue","gid://shopify/Article/639854510158","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/is-air-pollution-a-social-justice-issue","2026-02-18T16:00:06Z",[1191,705],"Is air pollution a social justice issue?",{"_10":1295,"_202":-5,"_205":1296,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/272243327054","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/B_cda6aed2-425c-4ebd-b8ea-b136e4149ccb.jpg?v=1773159006",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1298,"_1139":1299,"_1154":1300,"_1156":1301,"_1158":1302,"_1160":1303,"_1008":1304,"_10":1305,"_1164":1306,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1307,"_635":1308,"_599":1309,"_1172":1310},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Explore how the Santee Sioux Nation in Nebraska is turning air data into practical, everyday health guidance.","

Explore how the Santee Sioux Nation in Nebraska is turning air data into practical, everyday health guidance.

","The Santee Sioux Nation—descendants of the Mdewakantonwan, Wahpeton, Sisseton, and Wahpekute bands—has long been recognized as one of the “frontier guardians” of the Sioux Nation, also known as the Isanti Oyate. That commitment to caring for the land continues today through the Santee Office of Environmental Protection (OEP) community air monitoring project, with the goal of improving community health and wellness under the U.S. EPA Clean Air Act of 1963. Located in northeast Nebraska along the Missouri River, the Santee Sioux Nation faces a range of environmental influences that shape local air quality. On the Santee reservation, air quality is shaped by a mix of agricultural activity, fossil fuel use, natural sources, climate patterns, and wildfire smoke; access to reliable, local air quality data is helping the community understand changing conditions and respond in ways that protect both health and the environment. The U.S. EPA Air Quality Index (AQI) provides a clear framework for interpreting air quality data and understanding potential health impacts. However, that guidance is most effective when paired with localized, real-time monitoring that reflects conditions specific to the community. In 2024, Santee Environmental Coordinator Jerome Proctor received an IQAir AirVisual Outdoor Monitor. The monitor strengthens the Nation’s ability to track local air quality conditions, support environmental stewardship, and make air quality information accessible for everyday decision-making. Santee Sioux Nation air quality challenges The program began reviewing historical and current air pollution data and trends on the Santee reservation. In 2023, during the summer, Santee experienced higher concentrations of PM2.5—particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter—and tropospheric ozone. A series of intense Canadian wildfires also contributed to poor air quality in the region. To support consistent monitoring and long-term sustainability, the program established a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Collecting historical and real-time air quality and barometric data. Comparing and analyzing daily, monthly, and quarterly air quality, dominant pollutants, and environmental conditions. Reporting air quality conditions to the tribe, including tribal elders and students, regional tribal nations, U.S. EPA, and the global community. The data collected by Santee Sioux Nation’s air quality monitoring station can be accessed on the Santee Sioux Nation website and through the AQI color-coded flag adjacent to the Santee Office of Environmental Protection. These efforts raise environmental awareness and provide air pollution data for the tribal government and community, helping improve air quality understanding on the Santee reservation. Improving reliability in challenging weather conditions Maintaining reliable air quality monitoring in the Great Plains comes with unique logistical challenges. The program focused on ensuring that air quality monitoring could continue reliably in all conditions. In the Great Plains region of the United States—often referred to as “Tornado Alley”—severe winter weather at times made access to the original air monitoring site difficult. To address this challenge, the team relocated the Santee station to a location adjacent to the Santee Office of Environmental Protection. With funding and technical guidance from the U.S. EPA, the project team completed the Santee air quality monitoring station relocation within 30 days. The quality improvement reduced equipment downtime, lowered travel costs, and improved the reliability of air pollution data. With standardized monitoring processes and tools in place, the program expanded efforts to ensure local air quality data is accessible and useful to the community. These activities include: Creating public awareness of outdoor air quality conditions on the Santee Sioux Nation website. Monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual air quality reporting to the community, tribal programs, tribal elders, and students. Implementation of the U.S. EPA AQI flag program, establishing environmental awareness and air quality literacy across the community. The air quality monitoring process and tools support a proactive approach to the tribal community health and wellness. U.S. EPA AQI guidance helps people understand outdoor air quality conditions so they can continue to get plenty of physical activity, while protecting their health from poor air quality using the mobile app. Seasonal air pollution patterns and guidance From 2023 to 2025, data showed that particulate matter concentrations increased during the spring and summer months. This trend was driven in part by higher travel volumes, which led to increased vehicle exhaust. Seasonal events, such as Fourth of July fireworks, also contributed to short-term spikes in air pollution. Weather conditions in the Great Plains can further amplify these seasonal air quality patterns. Hot, dry summer conditions can bring periods of low wind and stagnant air, which allow pollutants to build up rather than disperse. Moderate drought conditions may loosen dirt and soil, making particulate matter more likely to become airborne through wind, vehicle traffic, and everyday activity—contributing to higher PM2.5 levels. Additional sources, including prescribed fires used for land management and smoke from Canadian wildfires, also affect air quality on the Santee reservation. Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles, creating hazy conditions and degrading air quality in the region. Because air quality can change quickly during these seasonal conditions, the Santee community is encouraged to check the local Air Quality Index in the same way they check the temperature. This information helps individuals plan or adjust daily activities based on current air conditions. From data to daily decisions Air quality data plays an important role in protecting community health—especially for those most vulnerable to poor air quality, including individuals with asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. Wildfire smoke, agricultural activity, and seasonal allergens can all increase health risks during certain times of the year.By combining real-time air pollutant data with weather conditions such as wind, temperature, and humidity, the Santee Sioux Nation can issue timely health advisories through the Santee Sioux website. These air quality advisories and recommendations provide guidance to community members on planning or modifying their outdoor activities.The program also emphasizes community engagement by involving tribal elders and students in outreach and education efforts. Through this approach, the Santee Sioux Nation supports environmental awareness across generations and encourages community members to take an active role as environmental stewards. Conclusion Through its outdoor air quality monitoring efforts, the Santee Sioux Nation is increasing awareness of air quality and communicating the impacts of air pollution on both health and the environment. With the addition of an IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitor, the Santee Air Quality Monitoring Program has improved its ability to monitor local environmental conditions, share information, and help the community make informed decisions on their outdoor activities. These environmental strategies have also advanced tribal air quality science. The Santee Sioux Nation was recently selected as a monitoring site for the NASA Pandora Project. As part of NASA’s Pandora Global Network (PGN)—a ground-based spectrometer system that uses ultraviolet light from the sun to measure atmospheric pollutants such as ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and formaldehyde (HCHO)—the program will collaborate with federal agencies to expand scientific understanding of air pollution. In addition, the Santee Sioux Nation was chosen as a PFAS monitoring site, supporting research efforts to collect wet deposition samples and analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that pose risks to people and the environment. Together, these initiatives reflect the Santee Sioux Nation’s proactive, data-driven approach to protecting the land, strengthening environmental stewardship, and improving the long-term health and wellness of the Isanti Oyate people.","

The Santee Sioux Nation—descendants of the Mdewakantonwan, Wahpeton, Sisseton, and Wahpekute bands—has long been recognized as one of the “frontier guardians” of the Sioux Nation, also known as the Isanti Oyate. That commitment to caring for the land continues today through the Santee Office of Environmental Protection (OEP) community air monitoring project, with the goal of improving community health and wellness under the U.S. EPA Clean Air Act of 1963.

Located in northeast Nebraska along the Missouri River, the Santee Sioux Nation faces a range of environmental influences that shape local air quality. On the Santee reservation, air quality is shaped by a mix of agricultural activity, fossil fuel use, natural sources, climate patterns, and wildfire smoke; access to reliable, local air quality data is helping the community understand changing conditions and respond in ways that protect both health and the environment.

The U.S. EPA Air Quality Index (AQI) provides a clear framework for interpreting air quality data and understanding potential health impacts. However, that guidance is most effective when paired with localized, real-time monitoring that reflects conditions specific to the community.

In 2024, Santee Environmental Coordinator Jerome Proctor received an IQAir AirVisual Outdoor Monitor. The monitor strengthens the Nation’s ability to track local air quality conditions, support environmental stewardship, and make air quality information accessible for everyday decision-making.

Santee Sioux Nation air quality challenges

The program began reviewing historical and current air pollution data and trends on the Santee reservation. In 2023, during the summer, Santee experienced higher concentrations of PM2.5—particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter—and tropospheric ozone. A series of intense Canadian wildfires also contributed to poor air quality in the region.

To support consistent monitoring and long-term sustainability, the program established a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):

\nCollecting historical and real-time air quality and barometric data.\n
\nComparing and analyzing daily, monthly, and quarterly air quality, dominant pollutants, and environmental conditions.\n
\nReporting air quality conditions to the tribe, including tribal elders and students, regional tribal nations, U.S. EPA, and the global community.\n

The data collected by Santee Sioux Nation’s air quality monitoring station can be accessed on the Santee Sioux Nation website and through the AQI color-coded flag adjacent to the Santee Office of Environmental Protection.

These efforts raise environmental awareness and provide air pollution data for the tribal government and community, helping improve air quality understanding on the Santee reservation.

Improving reliability in challenging weather conditions

Maintaining reliable air quality monitoring in the Great Plains comes with unique logistical challenges. The program focused on ensuring that air quality monitoring could continue reliably in all conditions. In the Great Plains region of the United States—often referred to as “Tornado Alley”—severe winter weather at times made access to the original air monitoring site difficult. To address this challenge, the team relocated the Santee station to a location adjacent to the Santee Office of Environmental Protection.

With funding and technical guidance from the U.S. EPA, the project team completed the Santee air quality monitoring station relocation within 30 days. The quality improvement reduced equipment downtime, lowered travel costs, and improved the reliability of air pollution data.

With standardized monitoring processes and tools in place, the program expanded efforts to ensure local air quality data is accessible and useful to the community. These activities include:

Creating public awareness of outdoor air quality conditions on the Santee Sioux Nation website.
Monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual air quality reporting to the community, tribal programs, tribal elders, and students.
Implementation of the U.S. EPA AQI flag program, establishing environmental awareness and air quality literacy across the community.

The air quality monitoring process and tools support a proactive approach to the tribal community health and wellness. U.S. EPA AQI guidance helps people understand outdoor air quality conditions so they can continue to get plenty of physical activity, while protecting their health from poor air quality using the mobile app.

Seasonal air pollution patterns and guidance

From 2023 to 2025, data showed that particulate matter concentrations increased during the spring and summer months. This trend was driven in part by higher travel volumes, which led to increased vehicle exhaust. Seasonal events, such as Fourth of July fireworks, also contributed to short-term spikes in air pollution.

Weather conditions in the Great Plains can further amplify these seasonal air quality patterns. Hot, dry summer conditions can bring periods of low wind and stagnant air, which allow pollutants to build up rather than disperse. Moderate drought conditions may loosen dirt and soil, making particulate matter more likely to become airborne through wind, vehicle traffic, and everyday activity—contributing to higher PM2.5 levels.

Additional sources, including prescribed fires used for land management and smoke from Canadian wildfires, also affect air quality on the Santee reservation. Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles, creating hazy conditions and degrading air quality in the region.

Because air quality can change quickly during these seasonal conditions, the Santee community is encouraged to check the local Air Quality Index in the same way they check the temperature. This information helps individuals plan or adjust daily activities based on current air conditions.

From data to daily decisions

Air quality data plays an important role in protecting community health—especially for those most vulnerable to poor air quality, including individuals with asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. Wildfire smoke, agricultural activity, and seasonal allergens can all increase health risks during certain times of the year.
By combining real-time air pollutant data with weather conditions such as wind, temperature, and humidity, the Santee Sioux Nation can issue timely health advisories through the Santee Sioux website. These air quality advisories and recommendations provide guidance to community members on planning or modifying their outdoor activities.
The program also emphasizes community engagement by involving tribal elders and students in outreach and education efforts. Through this approach, the Santee Sioux Nation supports environmental awareness across generations and encourages community members to take an active role as environmental stewards.

\nConclusion

Through its outdoor air quality monitoring efforts, the Santee Sioux Nation is increasing awareness of air quality and communicating the impacts of air pollution on both health and the environment. With the addition of an IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitor, the Santee Air Quality Monitoring Program has improved its ability to monitor local environmental conditions, share information, and help the community make informed decisions on their outdoor activities.

These environmental strategies have also advanced tribal air quality science. The Santee Sioux Nation was recently selected as a monitoring site for the NASA Pandora Project. As part of NASA’s Pandora Global Network (PGN)—a ground-based spectrometer system that uses ultraviolet light from the sun to measure atmospheric pollutants such as ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and formaldehyde (HCHO)—the program will collaborate with federal agencies to expand scientific understanding of air pollution.

In addition, the Santee Sioux Nation was chosen as a PFAS monitoring site, supporting research efforts to collect wet deposition samples and analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that pose risks to people and the environment.

Together, these initiatives reflect the Santee Sioux Nation’s proactive, data-driven approach to protecting the land, strengthening environmental stewardship, and improving the long-term health and wellness of the Isanti Oyate people.

","revealing-the-invisible-santee-sioux-nation","gid://shopify/Article/639582470222","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-santee-sioux-nation","2026-02-16T18:19:22Z",[705,710],"Revealing the Invisible: Santee Sioux Nation Community Air Monitoring",{"_10":1311,"_202":-5,"_205":1312,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/271819997262","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Blog-D-2880x1500_1a2496fe-e23c-4d3a-a00a-320f4515286b.jpg?v=1771961330",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1314,"_1139":1315,"_1154":1316,"_1156":1317,"_1158":1318,"_1160":1319,"_1008":1320,"_10":1321,"_1164":1322,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1323,"_635":1324,"_599":1325,"_1172":1326},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even be harnessed in cloudy weather. Explore myths, facts, and challenges of solar energy.","

Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even be harnessed in cloudy weather. Explore myths, facts, and challenges of solar energy.

","Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources on planet Earth. Solar energy is also one of the most powerful tools available to reduce air pollution and cut greenhouse gas emissions at their source. Unlike coal, oil, and gas, solar energy generates electricity without releasing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) or nitrogen oxides into the air. This makes it uniquely important not only for climate action, but for protecting public health—especially in communities burdened by pollution. Yet despite its promise, solar energy is often misunderstood. Persistent myths about cost, reliability, and feasibility have slowed adoption, even as technology improves and prices fall. Understanding what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what challenges remain is key to scaling solar responsibly and equitably. What is solar energy and why is it better for air quality? Solar energy is a form of renewable energy that comes from naturally replenished sunlight and generates electricity without releasing harmful air pollutants, like PM2.5, that are linked to asthma, heart disease, and premature death. Solar and other clean energy solutions are becoming increasingly accessible. Today, renewable power is the most affordable source of electricity in much of the world, with over 90% of new renewable projects costing less than fossil fuel alternatives. Because renewable resources are available in every country, they reduce dependence on imported fuels and help protect communities from volatile energy prices and supply disruptions. Most importantly, solar energy directly improves air quality. By replacing fossil fuel combustion with clean power, communities cut pollution at the source—reducing exposure, improving public health, and lowering healthcare costs. This is why clean energy plays a critical role not only in addressing climate change, but in helping people breathe cleaner air every day (1). Among all clean energy sources, solar power offers one of the most scalable and widely accessible paths to cleaner air. Solar energy: Myths Solar energy is still surrounded by misconceptions such as how it actually works—and what challenges remain. Myth: Solar power is unreliable or too expensiveThough global solar capacity is growing, a persistent myth has slowed adoption: that solar power is unreliable or prohibitively expensive (2). In reality, solar energy is now the cheapest source of electricity in most regions of the world. Advances in technology and sharp declines in cost have made solar more efficient and accessible than ever. Between 2021 and 2025, solar capacity grew faster than any other renewable source, with costs now lower than coal or natural gas in many markets (3). Myth: Solar power only works when it’s sunnyIt’s true that solar panels produce the most electricity under direct sunlight—but solar doesn’t stop working when clouds roll in. Because panels generate power from light, not heat, they can still produce electricity on cloudy, rainy, or snowy days, just at reduced output. In fact, solar panels often perform efficiently in cooler conditions, since excessive heat can reduce performance. For times when the sun isn’t shining, batteries can store excess energy generated during the day and provide backup power. And for most households, rooftop solar is still connected to the electric grid, meaning the home can draw power from the grid when solar production is low. Together, these systems help make solar a reliable part of everyday energy use, even when the weather isn’t perfect. (4). Solar energy: Facts Fact: Solar is the most abundant energy source on EarthSolar energy is by far the most abundant source of energy on the planet (5). The amount of solar energy reaching Earth in one hour exceeds global energy demand for an entire year. This abundance, combined with falling costs, makes solar a cornerstone of clean energy transitions worldwide—especially in regions seeking affordable, locally available power. Fact: Solar is inexpensive and generates zero air pollution emissionsSolar energy often delivers electricity at a lower cost than new coal or natural gas plants—even without subsidies—according to annual analyses (6). And once installed, solar panels generate electricity without releasing PM2.5, nitrogen oxides, or other harmful air pollutants. This means solar cuts pollution at its source while providing affordable power over decades. While manufacturing solar panels requires energy and materials, multiple lifecycle analyses show that most systems produce the energy used in their manufacture within one to four years. As solar technology scales and recycling programs expand, both costs and environmental impacts continue to decline—making solar not only one of the cleanest energy sources, but also one of the most affordable paths to reducing air pollution and protecting public health (7). Solar energy: Challenges Challenge: Energy storage and responsible battery supply chainsOne key challenge for solar energy is storage. Supplying electricity when the sun isn’t shining requires hybrid systems that rely on batteries to store excess energy generated during the day. Battery production relies on mining materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, raising concerns about environmental impacts and labor conditions in mining regions (8). Meeting these challenges will require responsible sourcing, improved recycling, and stronger labor protections—so solar’s clean-air benefits are not achieved at the expense of people or ecosystems elsewhere. Challenge: Land use and wildlife impactsLarge solar facilities can require significant land area, and poorly sited projects may fragment habitats or disrupt local wildlife—especially in sensitive ecosystems. These risks can be reduced through careful siting (such as on already disturbed land, rooftops, or parking structures), strong environmental assessments, and mitigation measures like wildlife-friendly fencing, bird deterrents, and vegetation planning. Done responsibly, solar can scale while minimizing harm to biodiversity (9). Dual benefits: Climate action and cleaner air Solar power—often deployed alongside wind—cuts greenhouse gas emissions and reduces air pollutants linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. These reductions deliver real-world benefits. Uruguay, for example, now generates nearly 99% of its electricity from renewables, stabilizing energy costs and sharply reducing fossil fuel pollution—while creating tens of thousands of clean energy jobs (10). How much has the air quality in Uruguay’s capital city, Montevideo, improved? PM2.5 noticeably decreased from an average concentration of 14.2 µg/m3 in 2021 to 11.5 µg/m3 in 2024. Uruguay is far from alone. China has significantly reduced its PM2.5 concentrations over a decade, in part through clean energy policies (11)(12). As one example, Beijing’s average concentration of 58.8 µg/m3 in 2017 declined to 30.9 µg/m3 in 2024. In April 2025, wind and solar power generated more than a quarter of the country’s electricity for the first time on record (13). Solar’s capacity has rapidly risen from a mere 4.1% share of China’s electrical mix in April 2020 to 12.4% by April 2025. How you can take action for clean energy and clean air Clean energy transitions happen at every level—from households to governments. Here are ways different groups can take meaningful action: Individuals Reduce home energy use and choose energy-efficient appliances. Support renewable energy providers or community solar programs where available. Stay informed about local air quality and energy sources to make healthier daily decisions. Communities Advocate for clean cooking programs, electrification, and renewable energy access. Support local initiatives that reduce fossil fuel dependence and air pollution. Encourage air quality monitoring to make pollution visible and actionable. Businesses Commit to renewable energy sourcing and improved energy efficiency. Install elevated solar canopies over parking lots to both cool off vehicles and reduce building energy costs. Reduce emissions across operations, logistics, and supply chains. Invest in clean technologies that protect workers, customers, and surrounding communities. Governments Expand renewable energy investment and grid access (with shorter distances). Accelerate clean cooking and electrification programs in underserved regions. Align energy and air quality policies to protect vulnerable populations. Together, these actions help ensure that the transition to clean energy delivers cleaner air, healthier communities, and a more equitable future. Clean energy and clean air are deeply connected—and progress on one strengthens progress on the other. Conclusion Reducing reliance on fossil fuels cuts pollution at its source—helping people breathe cleaner air while protecting the planet. Solar energy, in particular, offers a powerful path forward by delivering clean electricity without the air pollutants that harm health, while expanding access to affordable energy. Observed each year on January 26, the International Day of Clean Energy underscores the global commitment to a just and inclusive transition away from fossil fuels. Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2023 and aligned with the mission of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the day highlights how clean energy—especially solar—can protect public health, reduce inequality, and expand economic opportunity. By dispelling myths, confronting real challenges, and scaling responsible solutions, solar power can play a central role in building a healthier, cleaner, and more equitable future for communities around the world.","

Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources on planet Earth. Solar energy is also one of the most powerful tools available to reduce air pollution and cut greenhouse gas emissions at their source. Unlike coal, oil, and gas, solar energy generates electricity without releasing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) or nitrogen oxides into the air. This makes it uniquely important not only for climate action, but for protecting public health—especially in communities burdened by pollution.

Yet despite its promise, solar energy is often misunderstood. Persistent myths about cost, reliability, and feasibility have slowed adoption, even as technology improves and prices fall. Understanding what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what challenges remain is key to scaling solar responsibly and equitably.

What is solar energy and why is it better for air quality?

Solar energy is a form of renewable energy that comes from naturally replenished sunlight and generates electricity without releasing harmful air pollutants, like PM2.5, that are linked to asthma, heart disease, and premature death.

Solar and other clean energy solutions are becoming increasingly accessible. Today, renewable power is the most affordable source of electricity in much of the world, with over 90% of new renewable projects costing less than fossil fuel alternatives. Because renewable resources are available in every country, they reduce dependence on imported fuels and help protect communities from volatile energy prices and supply disruptions.

Most importantly, solar energy directly improves air quality. By replacing fossil fuel combustion with clean power, communities cut pollution at the source—reducing exposure, improving public health, and lowering healthcare costs. This is why clean energy plays a critical role not only in addressing climate change, but in helping people breathe cleaner air every day (1).

Among all clean energy sources, solar power offers one of the most scalable and widely accessible paths to cleaner air.

Solar energy: Myths

Solar energy is still surrounded by misconceptions such as how it actually works—and what challenges remain.

Myth: Solar power is unreliable or too expensive
Though global solar capacity is growing, a persistent myth has slowed adoption: that solar power is unreliable or prohibitively expensive (2).

In reality, solar energy is now the cheapest source of electricity in most regions of the world. Advances in technology and sharp declines in cost have made solar more efficient and accessible than ever. Between 2021 and 2025, solar capacity grew faster than any other renewable source, with costs now lower than coal or natural gas in many markets (3).

Myth: Solar power only works when it’s sunny
It’s true that solar panels produce the most electricity under direct sunlight—but solar doesn’t stop working when clouds roll in. Because panels generate power from light, not heat, they can still produce electricity on cloudy, rainy, or snowy days, just at reduced output. In fact, solar panels often perform efficiently in cooler conditions, since excessive heat can reduce performance.

For times when the sun isn’t shining, batteries can store excess energy generated during the day and provide backup power. And for most households, rooftop solar is still connected to the electric grid, meaning the home can draw power from the grid when solar production is low. Together, these systems help make solar a reliable part of everyday energy use, even when the weather isn’t perfect. (4).

Solar energy: Facts

Fact: Solar is the most abundant energy source on Earth
Solar energy is by far the most abundant source of energy on the planet (5). The amount of solar energy reaching Earth in one hour exceeds global energy demand for an entire year.

This abundance, combined with falling costs, makes solar a cornerstone of clean energy transitions worldwide—especially in regions seeking affordable, locally available power.

Fact: Solar is inexpensive and generates zero air pollution emissions
Solar energy often delivers electricity at a lower cost than new coal or natural gas plants—even without subsidies—according to annual analyses (6).

And once installed, solar panels generate electricity without releasing PM2.5, nitrogen oxides, or other harmful air pollutants. This means solar cuts pollution at its source while providing affordable power over decades.

While manufacturing solar panels requires energy and materials, multiple lifecycle analyses show that most systems produce the energy used in their manufacture within one to four years.

As solar technology scales and recycling programs expand, both costs and environmental impacts continue to decline—making solar not only one of the cleanest energy sources, but also one of the most affordable paths to reducing air pollution and protecting public health (7).

Solar energy: Challenges

Challenge: Energy storage and responsible battery supply chains
One key challenge for solar energy is storage. Supplying electricity when the sun isn’t shining requires hybrid systems that rely on batteries to store excess energy generated during the day.

Battery production relies on mining materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, raising concerns about environmental impacts and labor conditions in mining regions (8). Meeting these challenges will require responsible sourcing, improved recycling, and stronger labor protections—so solar’s clean-air benefits are not achieved at the expense of people or ecosystems elsewhere.

Challenge: Land use and wildlife impacts
Large solar facilities can require significant land area, and poorly sited projects may fragment habitats or disrupt local wildlife—especially in sensitive ecosystems. These risks can be reduced through careful siting (such as on already disturbed land, rooftops, or parking structures), strong environmental assessments, and mitigation measures like wildlife-friendly fencing, bird deterrents, and vegetation planning.

Done responsibly, solar can scale while minimizing harm to biodiversity (9).

Dual benefits: Climate action and cleaner air

Solar power—often deployed alongside wind—cuts greenhouse gas emissions and reduces air pollutants linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

These reductions deliver real-world benefits. Uruguay, for example, now generates nearly 99% of its electricity from renewables, stabilizing energy costs and sharply reducing fossil fuel pollution—while creating tens of thousands of clean energy jobs (10).

How much has the air quality in Uruguay’s capital city, Montevideo, improved? PM2.5 noticeably decreased from an average concentration of 14.2 µg/m3 in 2021 to 11.5 µg/m3 in 2024.

Uruguay is far from alone. China has significantly reduced its PM2.5 concentrations over a decade, in part through clean energy policies (11)(12). As one example, Beijing’s average concentration of 58.8 µg/m3 in 2017 declined to 30.9 µg/m3 in 2024.

In April 2025, wind and solar power generated more than a quarter of the country’s electricity for the first time on record (13). Solar’s capacity has rapidly risen from a mere 4.1% share of China’s electrical mix in April 2020 to 12.4% by April 2025.

How you can take action for clean energy and clean air

Clean energy transitions happen at every level—from households to governments.

Here are ways different groups can take meaningful action:

Individuals

Reduce home energy use and choose energy-efficient appliances.
Support renewable energy providers or community solar programs where available.
Stay informed about local air quality and energy sources to make healthier daily decisions.
\n

Communities

Advocate for clean cooking programs, electrification, and renewable energy access.
Support local initiatives that reduce fossil fuel dependence and air pollution.
Encourage air quality monitoring to make pollution visible and actionable.
\n

Businesses

Commit to renewable energy sourcing and improved energy efficiency.
Install elevated solar canopies over parking lots to both cool off vehicles and reduce building energy costs.
Reduce emissions across operations, logistics, and supply chains.
Invest in clean technologies that protect workers, customers, and surrounding communities.
\n

Governments

Expand renewable energy investment and grid access (with shorter distances).
Accelerate clean cooking and electrification programs in underserved regions.
Align energy and air quality policies to protect vulnerable populations.

Together, these actions help ensure that the transition to clean energy delivers cleaner air, healthier communities, and a more equitable future.

Clean energy and clean air are deeply connected—and progress on one strengthens progress on the other.

Conclusion

Reducing reliance on fossil fuels cuts pollution at its source—helping people breathe cleaner air while protecting the planet. Solar energy, in particular, offers a powerful path forward by delivering clean electricity without the air pollutants that harm health, while expanding access to affordable energy.

Observed each year on January 26, the International Day of Clean Energy underscores the global commitment to a just and inclusive transition away from fossil fuels. Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2023 and aligned with the mission of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the day highlights how clean energy—especially solar—can protect public health, reduce inequality, and expand economic opportunity.

By dispelling myths, confronting real challenges, and scaling responsible solutions, solar power can play a central role in building a healthier, cleaner, and more equitable future for communities around the world.

","solar-energy-myths-facts-challenges","gid://shopify/Article/638444437582","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/solar-energy-myths-facts-challenges","2026-01-21T13:00:06Z",[1191,705],"Solar Energy: Myths, facts, and challenges",{"_10":1327,"_202":1328,"_205":1329,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/271509553230","Solar panels and wind turbines generating clean renewable energy.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Article_IntDayCleanEnergy_Desk_58516018-7b73-4bac-ae34-ad2ed83d1ae3.jpg?v=1770052097",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1331,"_1139":1332,"_1154":1333,"_1156":1334,"_1158":1335,"_1160":1336,"_1008":1337,"_10":1338,"_1164":1339,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1340,"_635":1341,"_599":1342,"_1172":1343},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"A new study shows that the United States is failing to fairly place needed air quality monitors in non-white communities. Find out why this matters and what you can do about it.","

A new study shows that the United States is failing to fairly place needed air quality monitors in non-white communities. Find out why this matters and what you can do about it.

","Air quality monitors are an essential tool for protecting human health. Monitors help people and their communities understand when pollutant concentrations reach levels that may pose a risk—in some cases through near-real-time public reporting. A recent study conducted by the University of Utah found that U.S. EPA regulatory air quality monitors are disproportionately absent from neighborhoods with majority non-white populations (1). Those unjust disparities mean that marginalized communities in both urban and rural areas are at a greater risk of undetected exposure to invisible pollutants than in other communities. Gaps in the network Globally, there are significant air quality data gaps affecting some countries. As the 2024 World Air Quality report indicated, this problem is especially serious in some regions, including Africa and West Asia. But unequal access can also extend into countries with extensive monitoring networks, such as the United States. The University of Utah study determined that between 2019 and 2024, non-white communities across the country were less likely to be monitored for six pollutants, including lead, sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. The gap was particularly striking for lead and sulfur dioxide, while both ozone and carbon monoxide were also unequal (2). The study included air quality coverage for 3.3 million Americans in all 50 states and Washington D.C. All six pollutants can cause short and long-term health impacts. One of the most harmful is PM2.5, fine particulate matter measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter. PM2.5 exposure is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Air quality monitoring disparities were most acute for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, followed by American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Though all non-white populations were found to be affected, air quality monitoring disparities were most acute for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, followed by American Indian and Alaska Native populations (3). These monitoring gaps matter not just for public awareness, but because regulatory air quality data determines how — and whether — the Clean Air Act is enforced. Low-cost sensors can help communities see and share air quality conditions in real time, but they do not replace regulatory monitors, as only regulatory monitors are used to enforce the Clean Air Act. That means only regulatory monitors are what agencies rely on to determine whether an area meets Clean Air Act health standards, shape implementation plans, and trigger enforcement actions. The injustice is that communities with the highest pollution burdens—often historically redlined, majority non-white neighborhoods near highways, freight corridors, refineries, and industrial facilities—are also the least likely to be represented by regulatory monitoring networks. Instead, these areas are frequently subject to limited or “special purpose” monitoring that does not carry the same weight in Clean Air Act attainment and enforcement decisions. Often because these measurements are less likely to influence attainment status, they are also less likely to trigger investments, mitigation strategies, or regulatory responses aimed at reducing exposure. Regulatory monitoring networks are typically designed to meet minimum compliance requirements, such as regional attainment thresholds, rather than to capture cumulative or neighborhood-level exposure. This can leave historically vulnerable communities underrepresented even when pollution levels are high. As a result, communities facing the greatest exposure often remain effectively invisible in the regulatory process: their pollution is real, but less likely to influence attainment status, compel enforcement, or drive corrective action. Without consistent, enforcement-grade monitoring where pollution burdens are concentrated, the Clean Air Act’s protections are unevenly applied—reinforcing inequities created by decades of discriminatory land-use and infrastructure decisions. Placement matters Gaps in any nation’s air quality monitoring network can misrepresent how marginalized communities are impacted by air pollution. Air quality is often hyperlocal: even within the same city, pollution levels — especially for pollutants like PM2.5 — can vary significantly from neighborhood to neighborhood and block to block. Air quality is often hyperlocal: even within the same city, pollution levels — especially for pollutants like PM2.5 — can vary significantly from neighborhood to neighborhood and block to block. These differences are often driven by proximity to pollution sources like major roadways and industrial sites, daily wind and weather patterns, and geographic features such as valleys or mountain ranges that can trap pollution. Air quality data quantifies the dose of a community’s exposure to pollutants – vital proof that people are being exposed to harmful sources of pollution. Without this data, health research for a region is incomplete. Incomplete data can make it harder to gather evidence linking increased rates of poor health outcomes in a marginalized community to nearby sources of pollution, such as power plants or busy highways. Without localized air monitoring, communities often lack insight into pollution spikes in their area and the data needed to explore correlations between exposure and poor health outcomes. Without localized air monitoring, communities often lack insight into pollution spikes in their area and the data needed to explore correlations between exposure and poor health outcomes. It’s also harder to hold authorities accountable, and to seek stronger regulations to reduce exposure to pollution. How jurisdiction can impact access Jurisdiction and legal requirements can also play a key role in air quality monitor placement. For example, the state of Utah’s Division of Air Quality doesn’t monitor pollution concentrations on tribal lands because that monitoring is the EPA’s responsibility (4). Meanwhile, Utah’s monitoring locations are designed to satisfy EPA requirements that focus on regional pollution modeling and large population thresholds—an approach that can overlook rural areas and tribal lands where fewer people live but exposure risks still exist. As a result, people living in rural areas — including tribal lands — often receive far less localized air monitoring than urban communities. Conclusion Not everyone has equal access to reliable air quality data. Here’s what you can do if there is a lack of monitors in your neighborhood: Become an air quality contributor and share publicly available air quality data with your neighbors. Advocate with your elected officials for equitable regulatory air quality monitoring access in your community. Sponsor your school to join the Schools4Earth program. Equitable access to air quality data is not optional — it’s a foundational public health need.","

Air quality monitors are an essential tool for protecting human health. Monitors help people and their communities understand when pollutant concentrations reach levels that may pose a risk—in some cases through near-real-time public reporting. A recent study conducted by the University of Utah found that U.S. EPA regulatory air quality monitors are disproportionately absent from neighborhoods with majority non-white populations (1).

Those unjust disparities mean that marginalized communities in both urban and rural areas are at a greater risk of undetected exposure to invisible pollutants than in other communities.

Gaps in the network

Globally, there are significant air quality data gaps affecting some countries. As the 2024 World Air Quality report indicated, this problem is especially serious in some regions, including Africa and West Asia. But unequal access can also extend into countries with extensive monitoring networks, such as the United States.

The University of Utah study determined that between 2019 and 2024, non-white communities across the country were less likely to be monitored for six pollutants, including lead, sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. The gap was particularly striking for lead and sulfur dioxide, while both ozone and carbon monoxide were also unequal (2).

The study included air quality coverage for 3.3 million Americans in all 50 states and Washington D.C.

All six pollutants can cause short and long-term health impacts. One of the most harmful is PM2.5, fine particulate matter measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter. PM2.5 exposure is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

Air quality monitoring disparities were most acute for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, followed by American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Though all non-white populations were found to be affected, air quality monitoring disparities were most acute for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, followed by American Indian and Alaska Native populations (3).

These monitoring gaps matter not just for public awareness, but because regulatory air quality data determines how — and whether — the Clean Air Act is enforced.

Low-cost sensors can help communities see and share air quality conditions in real time, but they do not replace regulatory monitors, as only regulatory monitors are used to enforce the Clean Air Act. That means only regulatory monitors are what agencies rely on to determine whether an area meets Clean Air Act health standards, shape implementation plans, and trigger enforcement actions.

The injustice is that communities with the highest pollution burdens—often historically redlined, majority non-white neighborhoods near highways, freight corridors, refineries, and industrial facilities—are also the least likely to be represented by regulatory monitoring networks. Instead, these areas are frequently subject to limited or “special purpose” monitoring that does not carry the same weight in Clean Air Act attainment and enforcement decisions. Often because these measurements are less likely to influence attainment status, they are also less likely to trigger investments, mitigation strategies, or regulatory responses aimed at reducing exposure.

Regulatory monitoring networks are typically designed to meet minimum compliance requirements, such as regional attainment thresholds, rather than to capture cumulative or neighborhood-level exposure. This can leave historically vulnerable communities underrepresented even when pollution levels are high.

As a result, communities facing the greatest exposure often remain effectively invisible in the regulatory process: their pollution is real, but less likely to influence attainment status, compel enforcement, or drive corrective action. Without consistent, enforcement-grade monitoring where pollution burdens are concentrated, the Clean Air Act’s protections are unevenly applied—reinforcing inequities created by decades of discriminatory land-use and infrastructure decisions.

Placement matters

Gaps in any nation’s air quality monitoring network can misrepresent how marginalized communities are impacted by air pollution. Air quality is often hyperlocal: even within the same city, pollution levels — especially for pollutants like PM2.5 — can vary significantly from neighborhood to neighborhood and block to block.

Air quality is often hyperlocal: even within the same city, pollution levels — especially for pollutants like PM2.5 — can vary significantly from neighborhood to neighborhood and block to block.

These differences are often driven by proximity to pollution sources like major roadways and industrial sites, daily wind and weather patterns, and geographic features such as valleys or mountain ranges that can trap pollution.

Air quality data quantifies the dose of a community’s exposure to pollutants – vital proof that people are being exposed to harmful sources of pollution. Without this data, health research for a region is incomplete. Incomplete data can make it harder to gather evidence linking increased rates of poor health outcomes in a marginalized community to nearby sources of pollution, such as power plants or busy highways.

Without localized air monitoring, communities often lack insight into pollution spikes in their area and the data needed to explore correlations between exposure and poor health outcomes.

Without localized air monitoring, communities often lack insight into pollution spikes in their area and the data needed to explore correlations between exposure and poor health outcomes.

It’s also harder to hold authorities accountable, and to seek stronger regulations to reduce exposure to pollution.

How jurisdiction can impact access

Jurisdiction and legal requirements can also play a key role in air quality monitor placement.

For example, the state of Utah’s Division of Air Quality doesn’t monitor pollution concentrations on tribal lands because that monitoring is the EPA’s responsibility (4). Meanwhile, Utah’s monitoring locations are designed to satisfy EPA requirements that focus on regional pollution modeling and large population thresholds—an approach that can overlook rural areas and tribal lands where fewer people live but exposure risks still exist.

As a result, people living in rural areas — including tribal lands — often receive far less localized air monitoring than urban communities.

Conclusion

Not everyone has equal access to reliable air quality data. Here’s what you can do if there is a lack of monitors in your neighborhood:

\nBecome an air quality contributor and share publicly available air quality data with your neighbors.
Advocate with your elected officials for equitable regulatory air quality monitoring access in your community.
Sponsor your school to join the Schools4Earth program.

Equitable access to air quality data is not optional — it’s a foundational public health need.

","unequal-air-how-gaps-in-air-monitoring-undermine-health-and-justice","gid://shopify/Article/638482251854","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/unequal-air-how-gaps-in-air-monitoring-undermine-health-and-justice","2026-01-19T13:00:01Z",[1191,705],"How gaps in air monitoring undermine health and justice",{"_10":1344,"_202":1345,"_205":1346,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/271457681486","An adult and a child facing industrial smokestacks emitting pollution.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/UnequalAir_Desktop_b6361741-4d8e-4744-ae9c-e481a9b2d892.jpg?v=1769619754",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1348,"_1139":1349,"_1154":1350,"_1156":1351,"_1158":1352,"_1160":1353,"_1008":1354,"_10":1355,"_1164":1356,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1357,"_635":1358,"_599":1359,"_1172":1360},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Uzum Market is turning its national network into Uzbekistan’s largest air monitoring network.","

Uzum Market is turning its national network into Uzbekistan’s largest air monitoring network.

","In Uzbekistan, millions of people pass through supermarkets, bank branches, delivery points, and retail hubs every day. Until recently, very few of those locations played any role in tracking the air people breathe. Air quality data was sparse, fragmented, or unavailable for large parts of the country—even in major cities such as Tashkent and Samarkand. That began to change in 2024, when Uzum Market, one of Uzbekistan’s most widely used digital ecosystems, partnered with IQAir to deploy a new air quality monitoring network using Uzum’s existing nationwide footprint. With an estimated 90% of Uzbekistan’s population using at least one Uzum service—from e-commerce and express delivery to digital banking—the company saw a unique opportunity to use its commercial locations to bring transparent air data to the public (1). Building a national air monitoring network from everyday locations Using its branches, pickup points, logistics hubs, and retail locations as anchor sites, Uzum installed IQAir AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitors across Uzbekistan. Each monitor measures PM2.5, sending the results to IQAir’s AirVisual app and air quality map, where anyone can access the data. PM2.5—one of the most harmful pollutants due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs—is often the primary driver of poor air quality in Uzbekistan’s urban centers. Monitoring stations are already up and running in key cities including: Tashkent Samarkand Bukhara Nukus Jizzax Kagan Urtaowul Komus The network continues to expand into additional locations across the country. What once were commercial touchpoints—places people visited for groceries, parcels, or financial services—are now also providing a clearer picture of the air above the streets and neighborhoods they serve. Scaling impact through the “Need Like Air” initiative After some time, Uzum joined forces with Kapitalbank, one of Uzbekistan’s largest commercial banks, to expand monitoring coverage even further. Through the “Need Like Air” initiative, AirVisual air quality monitors are being installed not only at Uzum’s commercial sites, but also at Kapitalbank offices and bank branches throughout the country. This expansion dramatically increases the network’s reach, extending visibility into areas that previously had little or no monitoring. It also demonstrates how partnerships between digital platforms, financial institutions, and environmental technology providers can accelerate public access to health information. Partnerships between digital platforms, financial institutions, and environmental technology providers can accelerate public access to health information. Making invisible air pollution visible The data collected by the network is presented on IQAir’s AirVisual app and air quality map, utilizing color-coded AQI readings that help people quickly understand whether the air is considered good, moderate, or unhealthy. For many users, this has become part of their daily routine—checking local air quality before commuting, exercising, or planning outdoor time with children or older family members. A new foundation for policy and long-term planning Uzum and IQAir’s collaboration is helping lay the groundwork for more evidence-based air quality management across Uzbekistan. As more stations come online, the dataset grows richer and more complete. With broader coverage and more consistent measurements, the network is offering valuable insights into pollution trends over time. Authorities, researchers, and advocates can see which areas experience the most frequent spikes, how different seasons compare, and how pollution responds to changes in weather, traffic, or regional activity. This kind of granular, real-time information is essential for designing effective environmental policies, evaluating the impact of interventions, and tracking progress toward cleaner air. Conclusion Uzum Market’s initiative shows how existing commercial infrastructure can be transformed into a powerful public health asset. By turning supermarkets, banking branches, and pickup points into air monitoring locations, this project is making the invisible visible—giving millions of people access to real-time air quality data they previously lacked. As the network continues to grow through initiatives like “Need Like Air,” Uzbekistan is building a clearer, more transparent picture of its air quality. That picture is more than just numbers; it’s a tool for healthier choices, stronger policies, and a more sustainable future.","

In Uzbekistan, millions of people pass through supermarkets, bank branches, delivery points, and retail hubs every day. Until recently, very few of those locations played any role in tracking the air people breathe. Air quality data was sparse, fragmented, or unavailable for large parts of the country—even in major cities such as Tashkent and Samarkand.

That began to change in 2024, when Uzum Market, one of Uzbekistan’s most widely used digital ecosystems, partnered with IQAir to deploy a new air quality monitoring network using Uzum’s existing nationwide footprint.

With an estimated 90% of Uzbekistan’s population using at least one Uzum service—from e-commerce and express delivery to digital banking—the company saw a unique opportunity to use its commercial locations to bring transparent air data to the public (1).

Building a national air monitoring network from everyday locations
\n

Using its branches, pickup points, logistics hubs, and retail locations as anchor sites, Uzum installed IQAir AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitors across Uzbekistan.

Each monitor measures PM2.5, sending the results to IQAir’s AirVisual app and air quality map, where anyone can access the data. PM2.5—one of the most harmful pollutants due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs—is often the primary driver of poor air quality in Uzbekistan’s urban centers.

Monitoring stations are already up and running in key cities including:

Tashkent
Samarkand
\nBukhara
\n
\nNukus
\n
\nJizzax
\n
\nKagan
\n
Urtaowul
\n
Komus

The network continues to expand into additional locations across the country. What once were commercial touchpoints—places people visited for groceries, parcels, or financial services—are now also providing a clearer picture of the air above the streets and neighborhoods they serve.

Scaling impact through the “Need Like Air” initiative
\n

After some time, Uzum joined forces with Kapitalbank, one of Uzbekistan’s largest commercial banks, to expand monitoring coverage even further.

Through the “Need Like Air” initiative, AirVisual air quality monitors are being installed not only at Uzum’s commercial sites, but also at Kapitalbank offices and bank branches throughout the country.

This expansion dramatically increases the network’s reach, extending visibility into areas that previously had little or no monitoring. It also demonstrates how partnerships between digital platforms, financial institutions, and environmental technology providers can accelerate public access to health information.

Partnerships between digital platforms, financial institutions, and environmental technology providers can accelerate public access to health information.

Making invisible air pollution visible
\n

The data collected by the network is presented on IQAir’s AirVisual app and air quality map, utilizing color-coded AQI readings that help people quickly understand whether the air is considered good, moderate, or unhealthy.

For many users, this has become part of their daily routine—checking local air quality before commuting, exercising, or planning outdoor time with children or older family members.

A new foundation for policy and long-term planning

Uzum and IQAir’s collaboration is helping lay the groundwork for more evidence-based air quality management across Uzbekistan. As more stations come online, the dataset grows richer and more complete. With broader coverage and more consistent measurements, the network is offering valuable insights into pollution trends over time.

Authorities, researchers, and advocates can see which areas experience the most frequent spikes, how different seasons compare, and how pollution responds to changes in weather, traffic, or regional activity. This kind of granular, real-time information is essential for designing effective environmental policies, evaluating the impact of interventions, and tracking progress toward cleaner air.

Conclusion

Uzum Market’s initiative shows how existing commercial infrastructure can be transformed into a powerful public health asset. By turning supermarkets, banking branches, and pickup points into air monitoring locations, this project is making the invisible visible—giving millions of people access to real-time air quality data they previously lacked.

As the network continues to grow through initiatives like “Need Like Air,” Uzbekistan is building a clearer, more transparent picture of its air quality. That picture is more than just numbers; it’s a tool for healthier choices, stronger policies, and a more sustainable future.

","revealing-the-invisible-uzum-uzbekistan","gid://shopify/Article/638307532878","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-uzum-uzbekistan","2026-01-07T13:00:00Z",[705,710],"Revealing the Invisible: Uzum Market in Uzbekistan",{"_10":1361,"_202":-5,"_205":1362,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/271432220750","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Article-UzumMarket-D_58f14426-4c14-48ce-8abe-7f6ea88c8b02.jpg?v=1769448005","pageInfo",{"_1365":45,"_1366":71,"_1367":1368,"_1369":1370},"hasPreviousPage","hasNextPage","endCursor","eyJsYXN0X2lkIjo2MzgzMDc1MzI4NzgsImxhc3RfdmFsdWUiOjE3Njc3OTA4MDAwMDAsIm9mZnNldCI6MTF9","startCursor","eyJsYXN0X2lkIjo2NDE0OTY4NDIzMTgsImxhc3RfdmFsdWUiOjE3Nzg1MTE2MDAwMDAsIm9mZnNldCI6MH0=","selectedTag",{"_599":1373,"_1006":43,"_205":1010,"_1011":1374},"Air Quality News - Community",{"_1013":1014,"_1015":1375,"_12":1373,"_1006":43,"_205":1010},"Blog","categorizedArticles",{"_1378":1379,"_1402":1403,"_1506":1507,"_1573":1574,"_1644":1645},"featured",[1380,1397],{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1381,"_1139":1382,"_1154":1383,"_1156":1384,"_1158":1385,"_1160":1386,"_1008":1387,"_10":1388,"_1164":1389,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1390,"_635":1391,"_599":1392,"_1172":1393},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"CADR measures how quickly an air purifier cleans the air. Learn how it works—and why it should be considered alongside long-term performance metrics like CCM.","

CADR measures how quickly an air purifier cleans the air. Learn how it works—and why it should be considered alongside long-term performance metrics like CCM.

","When choosing an air purifier, one of the first numbers people encounter is CADR—but it is also one of the most misunderstood. CADR, or Clean Air Delivery Rate, measures how quickly an air purifier can clean the air in a space. It is often used to compare different models, but on its own it does not reflect how an air purifier performs in real-world conditions over time. CADR focuses on short-term performance—how quickly clean air is delivered under specific conditions—rather than how long that performance can be maintained. Understanding how CADR works—and how it differs from other metrics like CCM—can make it easier to choose a system that matches both the size of a space and how performance will hold over time. What CADR actually measures CADR reflects how quickly an air purifier removes particles from the air. It combines airflow and filter efficiency to estimate how fast clean air is delivered within a given space. In practical terms, this means CADR indicates how quickly airborne particles can be cleared—but not how consistently that performance will hold over time. CADR measures the removal rate of airborne particles as small as 0.09 microns to as large as 11 microns (1)(2). It reflects how filter efficiency and airflow interact within a given space, but is limited to measuring performance speed rather than long-term usage. CADR is often presented alongside CCM, but the two metrics reflect very different aspects of performance. CADR focuses on how quickly clean air is delivered, while CCM indicates how much pollution a system can handle before its performance begins to decline. The limitation of CADR: Speed vs long-term performance While CADR is commonly used to compare how quickly an air purifier works, it does not indicate how performance will hold over time. As filters load with particles and gases, airflow and efficiency can change—something CADR does not capture. Many air purifiers perform well when new but lose effectiveness as filters become saturated. As a result, CADR alone gives an incomplete—or even misleading—picture of how an air purifier will perform outside of controlled test conditions. CADR vs CCM: Speed vs endurance While CADR measures speed, CCM focuses on endurance. It tracks how much pollution an air purifier can remove over time before its performance begins to decline. CCM ratings are grouped into standardized tiers for particulate matter (P) and formaldehyde (F), which indicate how much pollution an air purifier can handle before its performance begins to decline. Higher tiers represent greater long-term filtration capacity and more stable performance over time. Particulate Matter Formaldehyde P1 3000 – 5000 mg F1 300 – 600 mg P2 5000 – 8000 mg F2 600 – 1000 mg P3 8000 – 12000 mg F3 1000 – 1500 mg P4 > 12,000 mg F4 > 1500 mg In practical terms, higher P and F values indicate that an air purifier can handle more pollution before its performance drops—making these tiers a useful way to compare long-term effectiveness. For example, a system rated at P4 can remove significantly more particulate matter before performance declines than one rated at P1. Compared to CADR, CCM reflects long-term filtration performance rather than short-term speed. In practice, CADR reflects how quickly an air purifier performs under initial test conditions, while CCM provides clearer insight into how that performance holds up over time. How to evaluate air purifier performance in real-world use Understanding how an air purifier is tested can help clarify how it will perform in real-world use. If a system is too small for a space, or if performance declines over time, airborne particles may remain present. Systems with higher CCM levels are more likely to maintain consistent performance over time, which can be especially relevant for sensitive or allergy-prone groups. CCM values reflect long-term filtration capacity. Some systems are designed to maintain performance over extended use, which is reflected in higher CCM values. Some air purifiers are designed to perform strongly across both metrics. For example, systems using high-efficiency filtration, such as IQAir systems using HyperHEPA filtration, are designed to capture ultrafine particles efficiently while maintaining long-term performance. Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between CADR and CCM? CADR measures initial short-term performance quality, calculating the rate or speed of which airborne particulate matter is cleaned and recycled. CCM measures long-term performance longevity, calculating the sheer amount of pollutant particles that are collected by an air purifier before the device begins to lose efficiency. The key difference is the short-term versus long-term measurements. What is more important to consider, CADR or CCM? While both CADR and CCM are important to consider in general, CCM provides a clearer understanding of air purifier quality and filtration over time. When choosing an air purifier, CCM values give a direct ranking on which system is going to last the longest while maintaining powerful filtration. Do all air purifiers have CADR and/or CCM ratings? Most air purifiers should have either a CADR or CCM rating listed; however, at-home calculations and trial runs can be performed to calculate the values. How is CADR measured by room? A CADR rating should be 2/3 the value of the room’s square footage that the air purifier is housed in. For instance, if a room is 180 square feet, then an air purifier with a CADR of 120 should be used. Conclusion CADR and CCM measure different aspects of air purifier performance: speed and endurance. Looking beyond CADR to include metrics like CCM provides a clearer picture of how an air purifier will perform—not just when it is new, but over time.","

When choosing an air purifier, one of the first numbers people encounter is CADR—but it is also one of the most misunderstood.

CADR, or Clean Air Delivery Rate, measures how quickly an air purifier can clean the air in a space. It is often used to compare different models, but on its own it does not reflect how an air purifier performs in real-world conditions over time. CADR focuses on short-term performance—how quickly clean air is delivered under specific conditions—rather than how long that performance can be maintained.

Understanding how CADR works—and how it differs from other metrics like CCM—can make it easier to choose a system that matches both the size of a space and how performance will hold over time.

What CADR actually measures

CADR reflects how quickly an air purifier removes particles from the air. It combines airflow and filter efficiency to estimate how fast clean air is delivered within a given space.

In practical terms, this means CADR indicates how quickly airborne particles can be cleared—but not how consistently that performance will hold over time.

CADR measures the removal rate of airborne particles as small as 0.09 microns to as large as 11 microns (1)(2). It reflects how filter efficiency and airflow interact within a given space, but is limited to measuring performance speed rather than long-term usage.

CADR is often presented alongside CCM, but the two metrics reflect very different aspects of performance. CADR focuses on how quickly clean air is delivered, while CCM indicates how much pollution a system can handle before its performance begins to decline.

The limitation of CADR: Speed vs long-term performance

While CADR is commonly used to compare how quickly an air purifier works, it does not indicate how performance will hold over time.

As filters load with particles and gases, airflow and efficiency can change—something CADR does not capture. Many air purifiers perform well when new but lose effectiveness as filters become saturated.

As a result, CADR alone gives an incomplete—or even misleading—picture of how an air purifier will perform outside of controlled test conditions.

CADR vs CCM: Speed vs endurance

While CADR measures speed, CCM focuses on endurance. It tracks how much pollution an air purifier can remove over time before its performance begins to decline.

CCM ratings are grouped into standardized tiers for particulate matter (P) and formaldehyde (F), which indicate how much pollution an air purifier can handle before its performance begins to decline. Higher tiers represent greater long-term filtration capacity and more stable performance over time.

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

Particulate Matter	Formaldehyde
P1	3000 – 5000 mg	F1	300 – 600 mg
P2	5000 – 8000 mg	F2	600 – 1000 mg
P3	8000 – 12000 mg	F3	1000 – 1500 mg
P4	> 12,000 mg	F4	> 1500 mg

In practical terms, higher P and F values indicate that an air purifier can handle more pollution before its performance drops—making these tiers a useful way to compare long-term effectiveness. For example, a system rated at P4 can remove significantly more particulate matter before performance declines than one rated at P1.

Compared to CADR, CCM reflects long-term filtration performance rather than short-term speed.

In practice, CADR reflects how quickly an air purifier performs under initial test conditions, while CCM provides clearer insight into how that performance holds up over time.

How to evaluate air purifier performance in real-world use

Understanding how an air purifier is tested can help clarify how it will perform in real-world use. If a system is too small for a space, or if performance declines over time, airborne particles may remain present. Systems with higher CCM levels are more likely to maintain consistent performance over time, which can be especially relevant for sensitive or allergy-prone groups.

CCM values reflect long-term filtration capacity. Some systems are designed to maintain performance over extended use, which is reflected in higher CCM values.

Some air purifiers are designed to perform strongly across both metrics. For example, systems using high-efficiency filtration, such as IQAir systems using HyperHEPA filtration, are designed to capture ultrafine particles efficiently while maintaining long-term performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CADR and CCM?

CADR measures initial short-term performance quality, calculating the rate or speed of which airborne particulate matter is cleaned and recycled. CCM measures long-term performance longevity, calculating the sheer amount of pollutant particles that are collected by an air purifier before the device begins to lose efficiency. The key difference is the short-term versus long-term measurements.

What is more important to consider, CADR or CCM?

While both CADR and CCM are important to consider in general, CCM provides a clearer understanding of air purifier quality and filtration over time. When choosing an air purifier, CCM values give a direct ranking on which system is going to last the longest while maintaining powerful filtration.

Do all air purifiers have CADR and/or CCM ratings?

Most air purifiers should have either a CADR or CCM rating listed; however, at-home calculations and trial runs can be performed to calculate the values.

How is CADR measured by room?

A CADR rating should be 2/3 the value of the room’s square footage that the air purifier is housed in. For instance, if a room is 180 square feet, then an air purifier with a CADR of 120 should be used.

Conclusion

CADR and CCM measure different aspects of air purifier performance: speed and endurance. Looking beyond CADR to include metrics like CCM provides a clearer picture of how an air purifier will perform—not just when it is new, but over time.

","what-cadr-means-and-how-to-choose-an-air-purifier","gid://shopify/Article/641380089934","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/what-cadr-means-and-how-to-choose-an-air-purifier","2026-05-12T15:00:00Z",[912,1170],"What CADR means and how to choose an air purifier",{"_10":1394,"_202":1395,"_205":1396,"_207":1177,"_203":1178},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/273257267278","Air purifier next to fireplace","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Article_WhatsACADRRating_D_b41be4f3-a6e7-4b6d-aedc-ffabb0a0c40d.jpg?v=1778599072",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1398,"_1139":1399,"_1154":1155,"_1156":1157,"_1158":1159,"_1160":1161,"_1008":1162,"_10":1163,"_1164":1165,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1168,"_635":1400,"_599":1171,"_1172":1401},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},[705,1170,710],{"_10":1174,"_202":1175,"_205":1176,"_207":1177,"_203":1178},"latest",[1404,1422,1440,1456,1473,1489],{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1405,"_1139":1406,"_1154":1407,"_1156":1408,"_1158":1409,"_1160":1410,"_1008":1411,"_10":1412,"_1164":1413,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1414,"_635":1415,"_599":1417,"_1172":1418},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"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 May 16, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire is burning in southern Georgia across Clinch and Echols counties. 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 counties (1). Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire? The cities and areas affected by the Pineland Road Fire include: Colon Echols County Fargo Highway area Needmore Fruitland 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 May 16, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire has burned approximately 32,031 acres and is 90% contained. Firefighting crews continue suppression efforts under challenging conditions, including severe drought, low humidity, strong winds, and difficult swampy terrain. Full containment is not expected until late May (2). Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for all of Fruitland in Echols County. Residents are urged to leave immediately, take essentials, pets, and medications, and follow official exit routes and instructions. Evacuation alerts remain in place for residents near Highway 441 between Headlight Road and Tiger Lake Road, as well as areas east of Will Rewis Road and Barnes Road. Officials advise residents not to return to evacuated areas until authorities declare it safe. Evacuation shelters have been opened, including Venture of Faith Camp in Lake Park and Camp Rock in Valdosta (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 May 16, 2026, this fire is 90% contained.","

What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of May 16, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire is burning in southern Georgia across Clinch and Echols counties.

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 counties (1).

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

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

Colon
Echols County
Fargo Highway area
Needmore
Fruitland
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 May 16, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire has burned approximately 32,031 acres and is 90% contained.

Firefighting crews continue suppression efforts under challenging conditions, including severe drought, low humidity, strong winds, and difficult swampy terrain. Full containment is not expected until late May (2).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for all of Fruitland in Echols County. Residents are urged to leave immediately, take essentials, pets, and medications, and follow official exit routes and instructions.

Evacuation alerts remain in place for residents near Highway 441 between Headlight Road and Tiger Lake Road, as well as areas east of Will Rewis Road and Barnes Road. Officials advise residents not to return to evacuated areas until authorities declare it safe.

Evacuation shelters have been opened, including Venture of Faith Camp in Lake Park and Camp Rock in Valdosta (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 May 16, 2026, this fire is 90% contained.

","wildfire-map-spotlight-pineland-road-fire-georgia","gid://shopify/Article/641403387982","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/wildfire-map-spotlight-pineland-road-fire-georgia","2026-05-16T07:10:07Z",[1191,700,1416,725],"Wildfire","Wildfire Map Spotlight: Pineland Road Fire, Georgia",{"_10":1419,"_202":1420,"_205":1421,"_207":1177,"_203":1178},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/273308549198","Wildfire engulfs a dense forest","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Wildfire9Desktop_63861816-5125-443c-88a3-2eb9844139ed.jpg?v=1778915412",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1423,"_1139":1424,"_1154":1425,"_1156":1426,"_1158":1427,"_1160":1428,"_1008":1429,"_10":1430,"_1164":1431,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1432,"_635":1433,"_599":1434,"_1172":1435},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Find out more about the ongoing Mayon Volcano eruption in Albay Province, including affected communities, evacuation measures, and volcanic activity updates.","

Find out more about the ongoing Mayon Volcano eruption in Albay Province, including affected communities, evacuation measures, and volcanic activity updates.

","What is the name and location of the volcano? As of May 15, 2026, Mayon Volcano is actively erupting in Albay Province in the Bicol Region of southern Luzon, Philippines. Located approximately 330 kilometers southeast of Manila in the province of Albay, Mayon Volcano is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent volcanic eruptions and seismic activity. The volcano rises prominently near the municipalities of Camalig and Guinobatan, and the city of Ligao. It is internationally recognized for its remarkably symmetrical cone shape, making it one of the Philippines’ most iconic natural landmarks. Authorities continue to closely monitor volcanic activity and potential hazards within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone surrounding the crater. (1) Which cities or areas are affected by the volcano? The following areas have been affected by ongoing volcanic activity from Mayon Volcano: Albay Province Basud Bonga Camalig Cagsawa Guinobatan Legazpi Ligao City Mi-isi Gully Misi At least 124 barangays across Albay Province have been affected by ashfall, lava flows, pyroclastic density currents, and volcanic activity. What is the current containment status of the volcano? As of May 15, 2026, Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 as volcanic unrest continues across the region. PHIVOLCS reported that the volcano has been undergoing an effusive eruption for 131 consecutive days, producing continuous lava flows, collapse-fed pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, volcanic earthquakes, and minor strombolian activity at the summit crater. Lava flows have extended up to 3.8 kilometers along Basud Gully, 3.2 kilometers along Bonga Gully, and 1.6 kilometers along Mi-isi Gully (2). Monitoring data also recorded 71 volcanic earthquakes, 421 rockfall events, sulfur dioxide emissions averaging 889 tonnes per day, and ongoing ground deformation around the volcano. Authorities continue enforcing restrictions within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone because hazardous eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and sudden explosive activity remain possible (3). Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? Authorities continue to enforce Alert Level 3 at Mayon Volcano and prohibit entry into the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone surrounding the crater. PHIVOLCS has warned residents and visitors to remain outside restricted zones because lava flows, pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, ashfall, and sudden explosive eruptions may occur without warning. More than 287,000 people across the Philippines remain displaced or are sheltering due to the prolonged eruption. Evacuation centers across Albay Province continue housing thousands of families as emergency response teams coordinate relief operations, distribute protective supplies, and monitor conditions in affected communities. Authorities are also preparing for additional risks associated with the approaching rainy season, including lahars and flooding in communities surrounding the volcano. How can I protect myself from volcanic smoke? Always plan ahead to protect yourself from a volcanic eruption. 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 volcanic smoke. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.","

What is the name and location of the volcano?

As of May 15, 2026, Mayon Volcano is actively erupting in Albay Province in the Bicol Region of southern Luzon, Philippines.

Located approximately 330 kilometers southeast of Manila in the province of Albay, Mayon Volcano is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent volcanic eruptions and seismic activity.

The volcano rises prominently near the municipalities of Camalig and Guinobatan, and the city of Ligao. It is internationally recognized for its remarkably symmetrical cone shape, making it one of the Philippines’ most iconic natural landmarks.

Authorities continue to closely monitor volcanic activity and potential hazards within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone surrounding the crater. (1)

Which cities or areas are affected by the volcano?

The following areas have been affected by ongoing volcanic activity from Mayon Volcano:

Albay Province
Basud
Bonga
Camalig
Cagsawa
Guinobatan
Legazpi
Ligao City
Mi-isi Gully
Misi

At least 124 barangays across Albay Province have been affected by ashfall, lava flows, pyroclastic density currents, and volcanic activity.

What is the current containment status of the volcano?

As of May 15, 2026, Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 as volcanic unrest continues across the region.

PHIVOLCS reported that the volcano has been undergoing an effusive eruption for 131 consecutive days, producing continuous lava flows, collapse-fed pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, volcanic earthquakes, and minor strombolian activity at the summit crater.

Lava flows have extended up to 3.8 kilometers along Basud Gully, 3.2 kilometers along Bonga Gully, and 1.6 kilometers along Mi-isi Gully (2).

Monitoring data also recorded 71 volcanic earthquakes, 421 rockfall events, sulfur dioxide emissions averaging 889 tonnes per day, and ongoing ground deformation around the volcano.

Authorities continue enforcing restrictions within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone because hazardous eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and sudden explosive activity remain possible (3).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Authorities continue to enforce Alert Level 3 at Mayon Volcano and prohibit entry into the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone surrounding the crater.

PHIVOLCS has warned residents and visitors to remain outside restricted zones because lava flows, pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, ashfall, and sudden explosive eruptions may occur without warning.

More than 287,000 people across the Philippines remain displaced or are sheltering due to the prolonged eruption.

Evacuation centers across Albay Province continue housing thousands of families as emergency response teams coordinate relief operations, distribute protective supplies, and monitor conditions in affected communities.

Authorities are also preparing for additional risks associated with the approaching rainy season, including lahars and flooding in communities surrounding the volcano.

How can I protect myself from volcanic smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from a volcanic eruption.

\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 volcanic 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

","volcanic-eruption-map-spotlight-mayon-volcano-philippines-5-2026","gid://shopify/Article/641502150734","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/volcanic-eruption-map-spotlight-mayon-volcano-philippines-5-2026","2026-05-15T12:29:00Z",[1191],"Volcanic Eruption Map Spotlight: Mayon Volcano, Philippines",{"_10":1436,"_202":1437,"_205":1438,"_207":1439,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/273302913102","Volcano erupting","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Volcano1Desktop_84495d4b-5996-4e91-83a7-5380673373ce.jpg?v=1778849833",2800,{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1441,"_1139":1442,"_1154":1443,"_1156":1444,"_1158":1445,"_1160":1446,"_1008":1447,"_10":1448,"_1164":1449,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1450,"_635":1451,"_599":1452,"_1172":1453},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"A severe heatwave is affecting India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, with temperatures exceeding 100°F (38°C) across the region. Learn more about ongoing heat risks and alerts.","

A severe heatwave is affecting India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, with temperatures exceeding 100°F (38°C) across the region. Learn more about ongoing heat risks and alerts.

","Why is there a heatwave in South Asia? A prolonged heatwave is affecting South Asia, driven by strong high-pressure systems that trap hot air near the surface. Temperatures in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan have soared well above seasonal averages, with some areas approaching or exceeding 45-50 degrees Celsius (113-122 degrees Fahrenheit). The heat arrived earlier than the typical May-June season. High-pressure systems dominate, trapping hot air near the surface like a dome, preventing it from rising and cooling, while sinking air compresses, warms, and blocks clouds, allowing relentless solar heating (1). Climate scientists say meteorological conditions are up to 4°C warmer than in the past, mostly ascribing the increased heat to human-driven climate change. Which cities or areas are affected by the heatwave? Several major cities across South Asia are experiencing extreme heat during this heatwave event, some of the affected include: India: Aheri, Ahmedabad, Agra, Delhi, Dhanbad, Indore, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Kota, Macherla, Nagpur, Nanded, Prayagraj, Raipur, Sambalpur and Solapur. Pakistan: Bahawalpur, Dadu, Hyderabad, Lahore, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Sibi, Sukkur and Turbat. Afghanistan: Lashkar Gah and Mirabad. How long will the heatwave last? The heatwave began in early April 2026 and is expected to persist through the summer months. In India, forecasts indicate above-normal heatwave days throughout the April-June period. The India Meteorological Department chief stated there will be an increased number of heatwave conditions along the east coast states and Gujarat by about four to five days into the month of May (2). Pakistan's meteorological department (PMD) has warned of continued heatwave conditions across central and upper Sindh for several days to weeks. This long-term pattern means temperatures will likely remain above 100°F (38°C) throughout the summer season across much of the region, until the monsoon season provides relief (3). In Afghanistan, summer heat typically lasts from May through September, with temperatures in southern regions like Kandahar reaching 36-43°C (97-109°F). It is possible that a strong El Niño projected for this summer may also contribute to more intense, longer-lasting heat waves and dry weather in South Asia (4). Are there any alerts in place? Multiple heat alerts are active across South Asia. In India, several regions in Gujarat were placed under orange alert status, indicating heatwave conditions and heightened probability of heat-related illnesses (5). The Uttar Pradesh Government issued directives for hospitals to prepare for increased cases of heat-related illnesses and alerted veterinarian teams to ensure adequate shelter and water for livestock. The India Meteorological Department continues issuing warnings for severe heatwave conditions in western regions and along the coast. In Pakistan, the PMD forecast continued heatwave conditions and urged citizens to avoid exposure to direct sunlight during daytime and remain hydrated. Both countries have Heat Action Plans coordinated through disaster management authorities (6). Afghanistan's extreme summer heat typically affects outdoor workers and vulnerable populations, though formal heat-specific alert systems are limited compared to neighboring countries. Residents are advised to stay in air-conditioned spaces, avoid direct sun exposure, drink fluids, and check on elderly individuals. Outdoor workers should reschedule activities to cooler hours.","

Why is there a heatwave in South Asia?

A prolonged heatwave is affecting South Asia, driven by strong high-pressure systems that trap hot air near the surface. Temperatures in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan have soared well above seasonal averages, with some areas approaching or exceeding 45-50 degrees Celsius (113-122 degrees Fahrenheit).

The heat arrived earlier than the typical May-June season. High-pressure systems dominate, trapping hot air near the surface like a dome, preventing it from rising and cooling, while sinking air compresses, warms, and blocks clouds, allowing relentless solar heating (1).

Climate scientists say meteorological conditions are up to 4°C warmer than in the past, mostly ascribing the increased heat to human-driven climate change.

Which cities or areas are affected by the heatwave?

Several major cities across South Asia are experiencing extreme heat during this heatwave event, some of the affected include:

\nIndia: Aheri, Ahmedabad, Agra, Delhi, Dhanbad, Indore, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Kota, Macherla, Nagpur, Nanded, Prayagraj, Raipur, Sambalpur and Solapur.
\nPakistan: Bahawalpur, Dadu, Hyderabad, Lahore, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Sibi, Sukkur and Turbat.
\nAfghanistan: Lashkar Gah and Mirabad.

How long will the heatwave last?

The heatwave began in early April 2026 and is expected to persist through the summer months. In India, forecasts indicate above-normal heatwave days throughout the April-June period. The India Meteorological Department chief stated there will be an increased number of heatwave conditions along the east coast states and Gujarat by about four to five days into the month of May (2).

Pakistan's meteorological department (PMD) has warned of continued heatwave conditions across central and upper Sindh for several days to weeks. This long-term pattern means temperatures will likely remain above 100°F (38°C) throughout the summer season across much of the region, until the monsoon season provides relief (3).

In Afghanistan, summer heat typically lasts from May through September, with temperatures in southern regions like Kandahar reaching 36-43°C (97-109°F).

It is possible that a strong El Niño projected for this summer may also contribute to more intense, longer-lasting heat waves and dry weather in South Asia (4).

Are there any alerts in place?

Multiple heat alerts are active across South Asia. In India, several regions in Gujarat were placed under orange alert status, indicating heatwave conditions and heightened probability of heat-related illnesses (5).

The Uttar Pradesh Government issued directives for hospitals to prepare for increased cases of heat-related illnesses and alerted veterinarian teams to ensure adequate shelter and water for livestock. The India Meteorological Department continues issuing warnings for severe heatwave conditions in western regions and along the coast.

In Pakistan, the PMD forecast continued heatwave conditions and urged citizens to avoid exposure to direct sunlight during daytime and remain hydrated. Both countries have Heat Action Plans coordinated through disaster management authorities (6).

Afghanistan's extreme summer heat typically affects outdoor workers and vulnerable populations, though formal heat-specific alert systems are limited compared to neighboring countries.

Residents are advised to stay in air-conditioned spaces, avoid direct sun exposure, drink fluids, and check on elderly individuals. Outdoor workers should reschedule activities to cooler hours.

","heatwave-map-spotlight-south-asia","gid://shopify/Article/641519910990","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/heatwave-map-spotlight-south-asia","2026-05-15T10:10:08Z",[1191,700],"Heatwave Map Spotlight: South Asia",{"_10":1454,"_202":-5,"_205":1455,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/273301831758","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Heatwave2Desktop_72319d33-c66f-4ea3-9921-040edde87edf.jpg?v=1778839816",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1457,"_1139":1458,"_1154":1459,"_1156":1460,"_1158":1461,"_1160":1462,"_1008":1463,"_10":1464,"_1164":1465,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1466,"_635":1467,"_599":1468,"_1172":1469},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Find out more about the Max Road Miramar Fire in southern Florida, including affected communities, smoke impacts, containment progress, and emergency response efforts.","

Find out more about the Max Road Miramar Fire in southern Florida, including affected communities, smoke impacts, containment progress, and emergency response efforts.

","What is the name and location of the wildfire? As of May 14, 2026, the Max Road Miramar Fire burned across parts of Broward and Miami-Dade in southern Florida near North Krome Avenue and Northwest 186th Street. Flames and smoke were also reported west of U.S. 27 near Max's Fish Camp and Airboat Rides. Fire crews from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, and the Florida Forest Service actively responded to the incident.(1) Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire? The cities and areas affected by the Max Road Miramar Fire included: Broward County Holly Lake community Miami-Dade County Miramar Pembroke Pines West of U.S. 27 What is the current containment status of the wildfire? As of May 14, 2026, the Max Road Miramar Fire burned approximately 11,446 acres and was reported to be 100% contained. (2) Containment efforts continued with support from multiple fire rescue agencies, including helicopters conducting water drops and additional engines and water tankers deployed to the area. Officials continued monitoring smoke and fire conditions as crews worked to prevent further wildfire spread. Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? Authorities urged residents and commuters to avoid the affected areas while wildfire suppression operations continued. Emergency crews monitored conditions near the Holly Lake community in Pembroke Pines due to nearby smoke and flames. Residents near Max Road reported that fire conditions temporarily blocked the only roadway out of the area, raising concerns about evacuation access. Local residents took precautions by spraying down their homes and trailers before emergency crews arrived. Officials also advised individuals with respiratory conditions to remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and use recirculated indoor air settings if smoke impacted their area. 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 May 14, 2026, this fire was 100% contained.","

What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of May 14, 2026, the Max Road Miramar Fire burned across parts of Broward and Miami-Dade in southern Florida near North Krome Avenue and Northwest 186th Street.

Flames and smoke were also reported west of U.S. 27 near Max's Fish Camp and Airboat Rides.

Fire crews from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, and the Florida Forest Service actively responded to the incident.(1)

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The cities and areas affected by the Max Road Miramar Fire included:

Broward County
Holly Lake community
Miami-Dade County
Miramar
Pembroke Pines
West of U.S. 27

What is the current containment status of the wildfire?

As of May 14, 2026, the Max Road Miramar Fire burned approximately 11,446 acres and was reported to be 100% contained. (2)

Containment efforts continued with support from multiple fire rescue agencies, including helicopters conducting water drops and additional engines and water tankers deployed to the area.

Officials continued monitoring smoke and fire conditions as crews worked to prevent further wildfire spread.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Authorities urged residents and commuters to avoid the affected areas while wildfire suppression operations continued.

Emergency crews monitored conditions near the Holly Lake community in Pembroke Pines due to nearby smoke and flames.

Residents near Max Road reported that fire conditions temporarily blocked the only roadway out of the area, raising concerns about evacuation access.

Local residents took precautions by spraying down their homes and trailers before emergency crews arrived. Officials also advised individuals with respiratory conditions to remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and use recirculated indoor air settings if smoke impacted their area.

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 May 14, 2026, this fire was 100% contained.

","wildfire-map-spotlight-max-road-miramar-fire-florida","gid://shopify/Article/641519091790","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/wildfire-map-spotlight-max-road-miramar-fire-florida","2026-05-14T10:35:24Z",[1191,700,1416,725],"Wildfire Map Spotlight: Max Road Miramar Fire, Florida",{"_10":1470,"_202":1471,"_205":1472,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/273285513294","Forest wildfire sending thick smoke into the sky","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/Wildfire6Desktop_a5a29957-bc27-4f10-adf7-dd15b477d1ef.jpg?v=1778754931",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1474,"_1139":1475,"_1154":1476,"_1156":1477,"_1158":1478,"_1160":1479,"_1008":1480,"_10":1481,"_1164":1482,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1483,"_635":1484,"_599":1485,"_1172":1486},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Santiago records AQI above 160, ranking among the world's most polluted cities. Stagnant air, firewood burning, and valley topography are driving this rare spike. Learn more.","

Santiago records AQI above 160, ranking among the world's most polluted cities. Stagnant air, firewood burning, and valley topography are driving this rare spike. Learn more.

","Is the air quality good in Santiago? As of May 14, 2026, at 1:30 AM (local time, GMT-4), air quality in Santiago, Chile, has worsened sharply over the past several hours due to a build-up of fine particulate matter combined with poor atmospheric dispersion. The AQI is above 160, classified as \"unhealthy,\" with PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant. These conditions pose serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. For a complete, real-time view of current pollution levels, see Santiago’s air quality map. While air quality in Santiago is typically moderate, today’s conditions are very poor, with PM2.5 levels reaching 13 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. By comparison, Santiago’s 2025 annual average PM2.5 concentration was 18.9 µg/m³, equivalent to an AQI of 65. This means today’s pollution levels are 2.5 times than the city’s annual average, underscoring the unusual and alarming intensity of this pollution episode. Santiago, Chile, ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of May 14, 2026, at 1:30 AM (local time). Source: IQAir. Air quality map of Santiago, Chile, as of May 14, 2026, at 1:30 AM (local time). Source: IQAir. When will the air quality improve in Santiago? Every winter, Santiago's topography combined with an inverse temperature layer, little rain, and minimal airstream results in a low dispersion rate, insufficient to cope with progressively higher concentrations of pollutants emitted. May marks the beginning of this seasonal deterioration in the Southern Hemisphere. Pollution peaks during colder months, when firewood consumption increases and valley topography limits atmospheric dispersion. Short-term relief depends on favorable weather to break up the inversion layer. Lasting improvement over the coming months will require consistent enforcement of restrictions on wood burning and vehicle emissions during alert episodes (1). Hourly air quality forecast for Santiago, Chile, as of May 14, 2026, at 1:30 AM (local time). Source: IQAir. What is causing poor air quality in Santiago? Santiago is located in a basin bounded by the coastal ranges to its west, the Andean Cordillera to its east, and transversal ranges to its north and south, all of which function as natural barriers against the dispersion of air pollutants. This unfavorable geography is compounded by temperature inversions that restrict vertical mixing in the basin, especially during winter nights when inversion layers range between 200 and 400 m (2). Firewood burning for heating during colder months is a significant driver of PM2.5, and can account for up to 94% of fine particulate matter emissions in some Chilean cities according to the Chilean Ministry of Environment (3). Vehicle exhaust, fossil-fuel-powered energy generation, and construction dust compound the problem year-round, while weak winds and stagnant conditions during autumn and winter prevent pollutants from dispersing, causing rapid accumulation across the metropolitan area (4). 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 Santiago?

As of May 14, 2026, at 1:30 AM (local time, GMT-4), air quality in Santiago, Chile, has worsened sharply over the past several hours due to a build-up of fine particulate matter combined with poor atmospheric dispersion. The AQI is above 160, classified as \"unhealthy,\" with PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant.

These conditions pose serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. For a complete, real-time view of current pollution levels, see Santiago’s air quality map.

While air quality in Santiago is typically moderate, today’s conditions are very poor, with PM2.5 levels reaching 13 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. By comparison, Santiago’s 2025 annual average PM2.5 concentration was 18.9 µg/m³, equivalent to an AQI of 65. This means today’s pollution levels are 2.5 times than the city’s annual average, underscoring the unusual and alarming intensity of this pollution episode.

$\"\"$ Santiago, Chile, ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of May 14, 2026, at 1:30 AM (local time). Source: IQAir.

$\"\"$ Air quality map of Santiago, Chile, as of May 14, 2026, at 1:30 AM (local time). Source: IQAir.

When will the air quality improve in Santiago?

Every winter, Santiago's topography combined with an inverse temperature layer, little rain, and minimal airstream results in a low dispersion rate, insufficient to cope with progressively higher concentrations of pollutants emitted. May marks the beginning of this seasonal deterioration in the Southern Hemisphere.

Pollution peaks during colder months, when firewood consumption increases and valley topography limits atmospheric dispersion. Short-term relief depends on favorable weather to break up the inversion layer. Lasting improvement over the coming months will require consistent enforcement of restrictions on wood burning and vehicle emissions during alert episodes (1).

$\"\"$ Hourly air quality forecast for Santiago, Chile, as of May 14, 2026, at 1:30 AM (local time). Source: IQAir.

What is causing poor air quality in Santiago?

Santiago is located in a basin bounded by the coastal ranges to its west, the Andean Cordillera to its east, and transversal ranges to its north and south, all of which function as natural barriers against the dispersion of air pollutants. This unfavorable geography is compounded by temperature inversions that restrict vertical mixing in the basin, especially during winter nights when inversion layers range between 200 and 400 m (2).

Firewood burning for heating during colder months is a significant driver of PM2.5, and can account for up to 94% of fine particulate matter emissions in some Chilean cities according to the Chilean Ministry of Environment (3).

Vehicle exhaust, fossil-fuel-powered energy generation, and construction dust compound the problem year-round, while weak winds and stagnant conditions during autumn and winter prevent pollutants from dispersing, causing rapid accumulation across the metropolitan area (4).

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.

","santiago-among-top-10-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world-5-14-2026","gid://shopify/Article/641540915278","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/santiago-among-top-10-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world-5-14-2026","2026-05-14T06:28:13Z",[1191,700],"May 14, 2026: Santiago among top 10 most polluted cities in the world",{"_10":1487,"_202":-5,"_205":1488,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/273287807054","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/SantiagoDesktop_bf3a04c6-3f16-4245-8b19-2d58421d9989.jpg?v=1778768067",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1490,"_1139":1491,"_1154":1492,"_1156":1493,"_1158":1494,"_1160":1495,"_1008":1496,"_10":1497,"_1164":1498,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1499,"_635":1500,"_599":1501,"_1172":1502},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Find out more about São Paulo’s current air quality conditions, pollution sources, and expected improvement timeline.","

Find out more about São Paulo’s current air quality conditions, pollution sources, and expected improvement timeline.

","Is the air quality good in São Paulo? As of May 13, 2026, at 10:30 AM (local time), São Paulo, Brazil, is experiencing poor air quality due to urban emissions and stagnant weather. The AQI was 110, classified as \"unhealthy for sensitive groups.\" These conditions can cause respiratory issues, worsen heart problems, and impair lung function, especially for children, the elderly, and those with health vulnerabilities. Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. São Paulo ranked 4th among the most polluted cities in the world on Wednesday morning. Click here for a real-time air quality map of São Paulo. It is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for São Paulo was 12.2 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 50 (“moderate”), and 2.4 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. São Paulo, Brazil ranked as the 4th most polluted major city on May 13, 2026 at 10:20 AM (local time). Source: IQAir. When will air quality improve in São Paulo? Air quality is forecasted to improve later in the day as weather conditions become more favorable for pollutant dispersion. Air quality forecast for São Paulo, Brazil on May 13, 2026. Source: IQAir. Air quality map of São Paulo, Brazil on May 13, 2026. Source: IQAir. What is causing poor air quality in São Paulo? Poor air quality in São Paulo is being driven by a combination of wildfire smoke, biomass burning, and vehicle emissions. Research published in 2025 found that smoke from fires across Brazil and neighboring regions significantly increased PM2.5 pollution in São Paulo State during dry seasons, especially during periods of drought and extreme heat (1). Vehicle emissions are also a major contributor to pollution in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area. A 2025 emissions study found that older gasoline and diesel vehicles produced disproportionately high levels of nitrogen oxides and particulate pollution (2). Researchers have also warned that climate change may increase the frequency and severity of pollution episodes in São Paulo due to prolonged droughts and more intense fire seasons (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 São Paulo?

As of May 13, 2026, at 10:30 AM (local time), São Paulo, Brazil, is experiencing poor air quality due to urban emissions and stagnant weather. The AQI was 110, classified as \"unhealthy for sensitive groups.\"

These conditions can cause respiratory issues, worsen heart problems, and impair lung function, especially for children, the elderly, and those with health vulnerabilities.

Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. São Paulo ranked 4th among the most polluted cities in the world on Wednesday morning.

Click here for a real-time air quality map of São Paulo.

It is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for São Paulo was 12.2 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 50 (“moderate”), and 2.4 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.

$\"\"$ São Paulo, Brazil ranked as the 4th most polluted major city on May 13, 2026 at 10:20 AM (local time). Source: IQAir.

When will air quality improve in São Paulo?

Air quality is forecasted to improve later in the day as weather conditions become more favorable for pollutant dispersion.

$\"\"$ Air quality forecast for São Paulo, Brazil on May 13, 2026. Source: IQAir.

$\"\"$ Air quality map of São Paulo, Brazil on May 13, 2026. Source: IQAir.

What is causing poor air quality in São Paulo?

Poor air quality in São Paulo is being driven by a combination of wildfire smoke, biomass burning, and vehicle emissions.

Research published in 2025 found that smoke from fires across Brazil and neighboring regions significantly increased PM2.5 pollution in São Paulo State during dry seasons, especially during periods of drought and extreme heat (1).

Vehicle emissions are also a major contributor to pollution in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area. A 2025 emissions study found that older gasoline and diesel vehicles produced disproportionately high levels of nitrogen oxides and particulate pollution (2).

Researchers have also warned that climate change may increase the frequency and severity of pollution episodes in São Paulo due to prolonged droughts and more intense fire seasons (3).

\n\n

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.

","sao-paulo-among-top-10-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world-5-13-2026","gid://shopify/Article/641537376334","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/sao-paulo-among-top-10-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world-5-13-2026","2026-05-13T13:33:42Z",[1191,700],"May 13, 2026: São Paulo among top 10 most polluted cities in the world",{"_10":1503,"_202":1504,"_205":1505,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/273268080718","Polluted skies of Sao Paulo","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/SaoPauloDesktop_a52e0d40-c7e5-4d2e-909e-94550cc58f50.jpg?v=1778679729","popular",[1508,1525,1541,1557],{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1509,"_1139":1510,"_1154":1511,"_1156":1511,"_1158":1512,"_1160":1513,"_1008":1514,"_10":1515,"_1164":1516,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1517,"_635":1518,"_599":1520,"_1172":1521},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"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/564925399118","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke","2022-12-29T21:46:38Z",[1191,700,1519,725],"Popular articles","How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke",{"_10":1522,"_202":1523,"_205":1524,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/269290668110","Wildfire at night in hills","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/AQL_21_WildfireDesktop_a_a1b7068f-eca7-44cf-a3d2-95dbd136001a.jpg?v=1749726938",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1526,"_1139":1527,"_1154":1528,"_1156":1528,"_1158":1529,"_1160":1530,"_1008":1531,"_10":1532,"_1164":1533,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1534,"_635":1535,"_599":1536,"_1172":1537},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"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/564925431886","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/do-air-purifiers-work-air-purifier-myths-and-facts-debunked","2022-01-02T14:14:32Z",[912,715,1519],"Do air purifiers work? Air purifier myths and facts debunked",{"_10":1538,"_202":1539,"_205":1540,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/270220755022","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/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/AQL_misconceptions-about-air-purifiers_993189ad-b0e5-4283-84af-8cf2c530fc4d.jpg?v=1758212556",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1542,"_1139":1543,"_1154":1544,"_1156":1544,"_1158":1545,"_1160":1546,"_1008":1547,"_10":1548,"_1164":1549,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1550,"_635":1551,"_599":1552,"_1172":1553},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"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/564925366350","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/himalayan-salt-lamp-debunked","2019-06-17T13:49:29Z",[1191,715,1519],"Himalayan salt lamps: Worth their salt?",{"_10":1554,"_202":1555,"_205":1556,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/269475545166","Why are Himalayan salt lamps bad for air quality?","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/AQL_HimalayanSalt_061419_750_0b979b61-4b6f-4eeb-8061-88996d52278e.jpg?v=1751543619",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1558,"_1139":1559,"_1154":1560,"_1156":1560,"_1158":1561,"_1160":1562,"_1008":1563,"_10":1564,"_1164":1565,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1566,"_635":1567,"_599":1568,"_1172":1569},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"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/564925464654","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/hidden-dangers-scented-candles","2016-12-04T22:35:53Z",[715,1519],"The hidden dangers of scented candles",{"_10":1570,"_202":1571,"_205":1572,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/269279461454","Two lit candles","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/49_scented_desktop_RE_8f4a0295-45a8-421d-870a-900787fa96cc.jpg?v=1749633122","successStories",[1575,1592,1609,1626],{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1576,"_1139":1577,"_1154":1578,"_1156":1579,"_1158":1580,"_1160":1581,"_1008":1582,"_10":1583,"_1164":1584,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1585,"_635":1586,"_599":1587,"_1172":1588},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"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/634090586190","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-kenya","2025-12-01T13:00:00Z",[710,897],"Revealing the Invisible: Boosting air quality awareness in Kenya",{"_10":1589,"_202":1590,"_205":1591,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/271197536334","Nairobi-city-smog","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/AQL_Revamp_Kenya_Clean_Air_Desktop_17bb0503-bb60-4348-89cf-60970c96defc.jpg?v=1767630564",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1593,"_1139":1594,"_1154":1595,"_1156":1596,"_1158":1597,"_1160":1598,"_1008":1599,"_10":1600,"_1164":1601,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1602,"_635":1603,"_599":1604,"_1172":1605},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"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, where vast horizons stretch beneath seemingly clear skies, severe air pollution silently impacts public health and well-being nationwide. Yet, due to a dire lack of data and awareness, the scale of the threat remains largely unseen. 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 15 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.” Pakistan's Air Quality Challenge 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. Rolling Out Pakistan’s Air Quality Network WWF-Pakistan’s initiative, which involves installing a total of air quality sensors in 15 key cities across the country, marks a critical step in Pakistan’s battle against air pollution. All 15 stations are currently up and running. 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. Air Quality Data in Action 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. Vision For the Future 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.” Beyond their air quality monitoring project, the WWF-Pakistan team oversees more than 70 active environmental protection initiatives in FY 2024 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 data, technology, and collective will in addressing one of today’s most pressing challenges. 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, where vast horizons stretch beneath seemingly clear skies, severe air pollution silently impacts public health and well-being nationwide. Yet, due to a dire lack of data and awareness, the scale of the threat remains largely unseen.

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 15 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.”

Pakistan's Air Quality Challenge

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.

Rolling Out Pakistan’s Air Quality Network

WWF-Pakistan’s initiative, which involves installing a total of air quality sensors in 15 key cities across the country, marks a critical step in Pakistan’s battle against air pollution. All 15 stations are currently up and running.

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.

Air Quality Data in Action

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.

Vision For the Future

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.”

Beyond their air quality monitoring project, the WWF-Pakistan team oversees more than 70 active environmental protection initiatives in FY 2024 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 data, technology, and collective will in addressing one of today’s most pressing challenges. 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/634659078222","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-wwf-pakistan","2025-11-12T17:43:22Z",[705,710,897],"Revealing the Invisible: WWF-Pakistan’s mission for clean air",{"_10":1606,"_202":1607,"_205":1608,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/270766047310","WWF Team standing Next to Solar Panel","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/AQL_PakistanContributor_Desk_A_1ed3d785-94f0-4a6f-af87-5d895532bd30.jpg?v=1762969405",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1610,"_1139":1611,"_1154":1612,"_1156":1613,"_1158":1614,"_1160":1615,"_1008":1616,"_10":1617,"_1164":1618,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1619,"_635":1620,"_599":1621,"_1172":1622},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"Learn about Permian Health's innovative approach to improving air quality in Gambia, using cutting-edge technology to reveal invisible pollutants and safeguard public health.","

Learn about Permian Health's innovative approach to improving air quality in Gambia, using cutting-edge technology to reveal invisible pollutants and safeguard public health.

","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 highlights 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 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. The takeaway 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 monitoring; it's about transforming the fabric of public health through the lens of air quality.","

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.\"

\nHighlighting areas of concern: Brikama’s air quality\n

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 highlights 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 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.

The takeaway

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 monitoring; it's about transforming the fabric of public health through the lens of air quality.

","permian-health-air-quality-crusade-in-gambia","gid://shopify/Article/634018988110","https://shop.iqair.cn/en/blogs/news/permian-health-air-quality-crusade-in-gambia","2025-03-24T17:00:00Z",[705,710,897],"Revealing the Invisible: Permian Health’s Air Quality Crusade in Gambia",{"_10":1623,"_202":1624,"_205":1625,"_207":1247,"_203":1248},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/269813416014","Man working on pole","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0018/4411/7571/articles/PermianHealth_Desk_A_e25c0fb4-f682-4892-bbc6-5c8e0d753ac9.jpg?v=1754481444",{"_1147":1148,"_1149":1627,"_1139":1628,"_1154":1629,"_1156":1630,"_1158":1631,"_1160":1632,"_1008":1633,"_10":1634,"_1164":1635,"_1166":-5,"_1167":1636,"_635":1637,"_599":1639,"_1172":1640},{"_12":1151},{"_1008":1153},"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.

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Learning that starts with context

Working with data from their own environment

Comparing across locations

Understanding how air quality data is created

From observation to response

Building a connected model

Conclusion

Kenya’s data pioneer for East Africa

Milwaukee’s air quality crusader

Transforming Iraq’s air quality landscape

Unveiling the secrets of Antarctic skies

Uzbekistan’s retail revolution for clean air

Join the movement

Conclusion

Why a school was the right place to begin

Turning invisible pollution into something students can see

Filling a major monitoring gap in Cameroon

The local partnership driving the project

A first step with wider meaning

Conclusion

1930-1952: Deadly fogs spark modern air quality research

1950s: Dr. Haagen-Smit cracks the LA smog code

1993: The “Harvard Six Cities” study and the toll of dirty air

The takeaway

UDS Pharmacy becomes a local air quality hub

Making neighborhood air visible in real time

Turning outdoor conditions into indoor context

Scaling awareness through community participation

Conclusion

What is crop burning?

The science behind the smoke

Who is most at risk?

Where is crop burning most common?

Global and local efforts to curb crop burning

How to protect your family and community

What governments, communities, and organizations can do

What individuals can do

Conclusion

Who breathes the dirtiest air?

Health gaps caused by air pollution

Systemic barriers to clean air

Fighting environmental injustice, protecting community health

Conclusion

Santee Sioux Nation air quality challenges

Improving reliability in challenging weather conditions

Seasonal air pollution patterns and guidance

From data to daily decisions

\nConclusion

What is solar energy and why is it better for air quality?

Solar energy: Myths

Solar energy: Facts

Solar energy: Challenges

Dual benefits: Climate action and cleaner air

How you can take action for clean energy and clean air

Conclusion

Gaps in the network

Placement matters

How jurisdiction can impact access

Conclusion

Building a national air monitoring network from everyday locations\n

Scaling impact through the “Need Like Air” initiative\n

Making invisible air pollution visible \n

A new foundation for policy and long-term planning

Conclusion

What CADR actually measures

The limitation of CADR: Speed vs long-term performance

CADR vs CCM: Speed vs endurance

How to evaluate air purifier performance in real-world use

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

What is the name and location of the wildfire?

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

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

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

What is the name and location of the volcano?

Which cities or areas are affected by the volcano?

What is the current containment status of the volcano?

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

How can I protect myself from volcanic smoke?

Building a national air monitoring network from everyday locations
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Scaling impact through the “Need Like Air” initiative
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Making invisible air pollution visible
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