Tetovo air quality map

What information about air pollution is there on the air quality map for Tetovo

There is a lot of really good information about air quality on the air pollution map for Tetovo and it can easily be found from the link on the main city page. The air pollution map acts as the link which, when selected, will open up a new page which is filled with all the latest information.

When the new page first opens, the viewer will notice the overall solid coloured background of the map. This is a visualisation of the current air quality. Colours range from pale green to dark maroon and get darker as the air quality gets worse. They are standard colours and are used across the entire IQAir website and their exact meanings can be seen in the legend at the foot of the page. At present, the map is pale green which indicates “Good” air quality.

Several coloured discs will be seen scattered across the map which show the sites of the ground-level air quality monitoring stations there are, but they are not all under the jurisdiction of the city’s authorities. At the centre of each disc is a number which is the United States Air Quality Index reading or US AQI for short. This figure is calculated by measuring the levels of up to six of the most prolific air pollutants in the city air. They are usually both sizes of Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.

Once the reading has been determined, it is used as a metric when comparing air quality in various parts of the world. It is endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Each disc can be explored further when a new page will open which is filled with relevant information about that specific area.

Looking back to the main city page, the current air quality can be seen in the coloured banner across the top of it. The colour of the banner itself is an instant way of showing the current level of pollution as well as the US AQI reading. The current level is “Good” with a figure of 33 and a pale green background. A total of four pollutants were measured but it is PM2.5 which is the main one with a recorded level of 8 µg/m³ (microns per cubic metre). This level is just over one and a half times the suggested target figure of 5 µg/m³, as recommended by the WHO.

Just below the air pollution map for Tetovo can be seen the number of contributors there are that collate all the data about air quality. Currently, there are two contributors who are both departments of the government and oversee one station. One of these departments is the Air Quality Portal of Macedonia which operates a total of seventeen stations throughout the country.

Are there any more exciting facts and figures about air quality on the air pollution map for Tetovo?

There are many more facts and figures about air quality on the air pollution map for Tetovo but the screen needs to be viewed in full-screen mode so none of the information is obscured. This full-screen icon can be found at the top right-hand side of the opening screen.

When viewed in this way, there will be a list of four options seen on the left-hand side of the screen which can each be individually turned on and off to see the effects they have on the map.

The first option shows the location of the ground-level air monitoring stations there are in the city and the immediate area. Each of which can be explored further by selecting the disc of choice and seeking the information contained within.

The second option shows the position of any wildfires there are that happen to be burning out of control in the area. At the time of writing in April 2023, there were no reports of any wildfires. If fires are detected, then option four needs to be consulted because it shows the speed and direction of the prevailing winds and will give a good indication of where the ensuing smoke may drift.

Option number three can change the background colour of the map to instantly show the up-to-date state of the air. When the air quality is good, the colours will be pale but as it worsens, so the colours darken. These darker colours can be very distracting so the option can be deactivated and the colours will revert to a more subdued palette.

More facts and figures are seen on the right-hand side of the page where a table will be seen that ranks the seven most polluted cities in the world. There is also a full-ranking section which shows the rest of the world’s participating polluted cities in descending order.

Immediately beneath the air pollution map for Tetovo is a table which shows where the most polluted parts of the city are, according to their US AQI readings. Currently, the most polluted station is simply called Tetovo which is also the most popular with over 5,000 loyal followers.

Is the source of the polluted air shown on the air quality map for Tetovo?

Determining the type of pollution and the causative agent represents an extensive task for which instruments should be placed at several measuring points that will collect data over a longer period. The existing monitoring station does not measure these parameters. Industry which includes both large and small enterprises, households, vehicles, and the construction industry are thought of as the main air polluters.

The burning of wood in households, plywood, varnished wooden material and not only in households, but also in small production plants, workshops, restaurants, etc. is the biggest source of PM10 particles, which are thought to be the main air pollutant in Tetovo.

PM2.5 is often mentioned on the air quality map for Tetovo, but how dangerous is it?

PM2.5 readings are often included in air quality reports from environmental authorities and companies.

Because they are so small and light, fine particles can stay in the air longer than heavier particles. This increases the chances of people breathing them into their bodies. Because of their size, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres can bypass the nose and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs, while some can also enter the circulatory system through the alveoli.

Studies have found a close link between exposure to fine particles and premature death from heart and lung disease. Particulate matter is also known to cause or worsen chronic diseases such as asthma, heart attacks, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.