Is the air quality good in Cairo?
As of April 17, 2026, 2:30 PM (local time, GMT+2), Cairo, Egypt, is experiencing poor air quality, with the Air Quality Index exceeding 150, placing conditions in the unhealthy range.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Cairo ranked as the most polluted major city in the world on Friday morning.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Cairo.
While the air quality conditions today are poor, it is important to note that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for Cairo was 40.8 µg/m³, equating to an AQI of 113 (“unhealthy for sensitive groups”), which is 8.1 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Cairo, Egypt ranked as the most polluted major city on April 17, 2026, at 2:30 PM local time. Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Cairo?
Air quality in Cairo is expected to gradually improve over the weekend.
Hourly air quality forecast for Cairo, Egypt April 17, 2026, at 2:30 PM local time. Source: IQAir.
Long-term improvement depends on sustained environmental policies and emission reduction strategies currently under development.
Air quality map of Cairo, Egypt on April 17, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Cairo?
Poor air quality in Greater Cairo is driven by a complex mix of local and regional pollution sources.
Key contributors include:
- Industrial emissions such as coal combustion, lead, and copper smelting
- Vehicular emissions from traffic and non-exhaust sources like brake and tire wear
- Open burning of waste and biomass
- Construction dust and transported desert dust
Industrial and traffic sources together contribute significantly to health risks, despite representing a smaller portion of total particulate mass (1).
Additionally, large-scale urban initiatives are underway to reduce emissions and transition toward cleaner energy and sustainable growth (2).
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.
