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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.

","content","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.","contentHtml","

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/1000487354742","onlineStoreUrl","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/is-air-pollution-a-social-justice-issue","trackingParameters","publishedAt","2026-02-18T07:00:02Z",[398,656,1176],"Featured articles","Is air pollution a social justice issue?","image",{"_10":1180,"_252":-5,"_255":1181,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412740551030","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/B_ad5382f4-f147-46d2-8960-8b2a4d88b14b.jpg?v=1771435816",2880,1500,{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1185,"_1144":1186,"_1160":1187,"_1162":1188,"_1164":1189,"_1166":1190,"_1003":1191,"_10":1192,"_1170":1193,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1194,"_590":1195,"_554":1196,"_1178":1197},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"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.

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.

","revealing-the-invisible-santee-sioux-nation","gid://shopify/Article/1000453833078","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-santee-sioux-nation","2026-02-16T18:19:19Z",[656,1176,661],"Revealing the Invisible: Santee Sioux Nation Community Air Monitoring",{"_10":1198,"_252":-5,"_255":1199,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412669411702","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Blog-D-2880x1500_6c51ff24-f2c9-4963-a9d8-5f7b0e496a7c.jpg?v=1771266783",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1201,"_1144":1202,"_1160":1203,"_1162":1204,"_1164":1205,"_1166":1206,"_1003":1207,"_10":1208,"_1170":1209,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1210,"_590":1211,"_554":1212,"_1178":1213},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"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/1000071561590","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/solar-energy-myths-facts-challenges","2026-01-21T04:00:04Z",[398,656],"Solar Energy: Myths, facts, and challenges",{"_10":1214,"_252":1215,"_255":1216,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412270166390","Solar panels and wind turbines generating clean renewable energy.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Article_IntDayCleanEnergy_Desk_570d0991-24e4-441a-b01f-2ac050b540b2.jpg?v=1770051809",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1218,"_1144":1219,"_1160":1220,"_1162":1221,"_1164":1222,"_1166":1223,"_1003":1224,"_10":1225,"_1170":1226,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1227,"_590":1228,"_554":1229,"_1178":1230},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"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/1000092565878","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/unequal-air-how-gaps-in-air-monitoring-undermine-health-and-justice","2026-01-19T04:00:01Z",[398,656],"How gaps in air monitoring undermine health and justice",{"_10":1231,"_252":1232,"_255":1233,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412023849334","An adult and a child facing industrial smokestacks emitting pollution.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/UnequalAir_Desktop_bf4464c1-1149-4d05-8acb-575a108c2f5d.jpg?v=1769619623",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1235,"_1144":1236,"_1160":1237,"_1162":1238,"_1164":1239,"_1166":1240,"_1003":1241,"_10":1242,"_1170":1243,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1244,"_590":1245,"_554":1246,"_1178":1247},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"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/999962182006","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-uzum-uzbekistan","2026-01-07T04:00:00Z",[656,661],"Revealing the Invisible: Uzum Market in Uzbekistan",{"_10":1248,"_252":-5,"_255":1249,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411954741622","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Article-UzumMarket-D_5dfb227a-f50e-411c-a6d2-117d5826996c.jpg?v=1769447928",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1251,"_1144":1252,"_1160":1253,"_1162":1254,"_1164":1255,"_1166":1256,"_1003":1257,"_10":1258,"_1170":1259,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1260,"_590":1261,"_554":1262,"_1178":1263},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Learn about University of Cape Coast’s wide-reaching air quality network in Ghana","

Learn about University of Cape Coast’s wide-reaching air quality network in Ghana

","Across Ghana, everyday activities—gold mining, grain milling, open-air work in mechanic yards, and congested transport hubs—regularly elevate pollution. Yet the communities closest to these pollution sources often lack consistent, site-level monitoring that can inform and help them understand their exposure. Physicist and lecturer Dr. Christiana Odumah is addressing this gap with her University of Cape Coast team, using IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitors to track pollution levels and communicating the results to change daily practices on the ground. Choosing a path forward Dr. Odumah’s journey began in physics, researching contaminant transport in the atmosphere, especially mercury. Now at the University of Cape Coast, she teaches Air Pollution & Emission Control and Air Quality Management, and leads a field program that measures exposure, sharing practical guidance with communities and policymakers. “Air pollution is a serious issue, and we all need to work on it,” Dr. Odumah said. “When the air is polluted, before you can even say where it came from, it has already traveled to other people.” Building a monitoring network The team needed monitors that could handle harsh conditions and require minimal maintenance. They selected IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitors as the backbone of the network. “They’re rugged enough for heat and dust, straightforward to deploy, and it’s easy to share our data publicly,” Dr. Odumah said. The University of Cape Coast’s network covers high-exposure settings across Ghana and publishes live to IQAir’s air quality platform. Stations include: Gold-mining communities — valley towns near active mining operations, where cooler, still air can trap pollution overnight. Mechanic workshops — open-air spray painting, welding, and grinding that impact daytime pollution spikes. Campus & transport hubs — taxi stands and arterial roads with predictable rush-hour peaks. Neighborhood milling centers — locally built grain and cassava mills that vent outdoors. Each site acts as both a data point and a conversation starter—not only coming together to paint a fuller picture of the air quality across Ghana but helping communities see, in the data, the pollution they experience—so they can act on it. Turning data into decisions Real-time, new-found visibility into the air quality is changing routines. The team analyzes pollution trends across the station locations, using the AirVisual Platform, to recommend low-cost, high-impact habits—from establishing simple personal protective equipment (PPE) norms and guidelines to regular road wetting near mine haul routes. “The platform includes particle pollution, temperature, pressure, humidity, and downloading the data is straightforward,” says Dr. Odumah, noting too that the platform makes trend analysis easier, enabling the team to provide practical guidance. “When the air is polluted, before you can even say where it came from, it has already traveled to other people.”—Dr. Christiana Odumah, University of Cape Coast Education and empowerment The air quality monitors double as teaching tools. In lectures and informal workshops, Dr. Odumah’s team walks through what PM2.5 is, why some places experience worse elevated levels at certain times, and how small choices—mask use, ventilation, timing—compound into real protection and health benefits. Students help maintain stations and interpret patterns, building local capacity for work that will last beyond this specific project. Looking ahead The path forward combines academic rigor and reach. Dr. Odumah explained that two publications are fully drafted and a third is almost complete. “We’re hoping to submit three papers by year-end,” she said. Next, the team plans to broaden the network and provide actionable playbooks for millers, mechanics, schools, and local authorities. Trials with secondary-pollutant sensors are planned to complement the insights already gathered. And in Tarkwa, a station will be kept in place to serve the community long-term. Dr. Odumah said: “They need constant monitoring, even if it means I can’t redeploy that unit for research.” Conclusion Air pollution is often invisible—but its effects are not. By putting monitors where people live and work, Dr. Christiana Odumah’s team is helping communities turn numbers into know-how—and know-how into healthier habits. The model is simple and scalable: measure what matters, share it widely, and act together to bring clean air to the community. As Dr. Odumah said, “If people realize their health is at risk, they’ll find ways to cut emissions. That’s why we need this monitoring—so the community can act.”","

Across Ghana, everyday activities—gold mining, grain milling, open-air work in mechanic yards, and congested transport hubs—regularly elevate pollution. Yet the communities closest to these pollution sources often lack consistent, site-level monitoring that can inform and help them understand their exposure.

Physicist and lecturer Dr. Christiana Odumah is addressing this gap with her University of Cape Coast team, using IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitors to track pollution levels and communicating the results to change daily practices on the ground.

Choosing a path forward

Dr. Odumah’s journey began in physics, researching contaminant transport in the atmosphere, especially mercury. Now at the University of Cape Coast, she teaches Air Pollution & Emission Control and Air Quality Management, and leads a field program that measures exposure, sharing practical guidance with communities and policymakers.

“Air pollution is a serious issue, and we all need to work on it,” Dr. Odumah said. “When the air is polluted, before you can even say where it came from, it has already traveled to other people.”

Building a monitoring network

The team needed monitors that could handle harsh conditions and require minimal maintenance. They selected IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitors as the backbone of the network. “They’re rugged enough for heat and dust, straightforward to deploy, and it’s easy to share our data publicly,” Dr. Odumah said.

The University of Cape Coast’s network covers high-exposure settings across Ghana and publishes live to IQAir’s air quality platform. Stations include:

\nGold-mining communities — valley towns near active mining operations, where cooler, still air can trap pollution overnight.
\nMechanic workshops — open-air spray painting, welding, and grinding that impact daytime pollution spikes.
\nCampus & transport hubs — taxi stands and arterial roads with predictable rush-hour peaks.
\nNeighborhood milling centers — locally built grain and cassava mills that vent outdoors.

Each site acts as both a data point and a conversation starter—not only coming together to paint a fuller picture of the air quality across Ghana but helping communities see, in the data, the pollution they experience—so they can act on it.

Turning data into decisions

Real-time, new-found visibility into the air quality is changing routines. The team analyzes pollution trends across the station locations, using the AirVisual Platform, to recommend low-cost, high-impact habits—from establishing simple personal protective equipment (PPE) norms and guidelines to regular road wetting near mine haul routes.

“The platform includes particle pollution, temperature, pressure, humidity, and downloading the data is straightforward,” says Dr. Odumah, noting too that the platform makes trend analysis easier, enabling the team to provide practical guidance.

“When the air is polluted, before you can even say where it came from, it has already traveled to other people.”—Dr. Christiana Odumah, University of Cape Coast

Education and empowerment

The air quality monitors double as teaching tools. In lectures and informal workshops, Dr. Odumah’s team walks through what PM2.5 is, why some places experience worse elevated levels at certain times, and how small choices—mask use, ventilation, timing—compound into real protection and health benefits. Students help maintain stations and interpret patterns, building local capacity for work that will last beyond this specific project.

Looking ahead

The path forward combines academic rigor and reach. Dr. Odumah explained that two publications are fully drafted and a third is almost complete. “We’re hoping to submit three papers by year-end,” she said.

Next, the team plans to broaden the network and provide actionable playbooks for millers, mechanics, schools, and local authorities. Trials with secondary-pollutant sensors are planned to complement the insights already gathered. And in Tarkwa, a station will be kept in place to serve the community long-term. Dr. Odumah said: “They need constant monitoring, even if it means I can’t redeploy that unit for research.”

Conclusion

Air pollution is often invisible—but its effects are not. By putting monitors where people live and work, Dr. Christiana Odumah’s team is helping communities turn numbers into know-how—and know-how into healthier habits.

The model is simple and scalable: measure what matters, share it widely, and act together to bring clean air to the community. As Dr. Odumah said, “If people realize their health is at risk, they’ll find ways to cut emissions. That’s why we need this monitoring—so the community can act.”

","ghana-air-quality-monitoring-odumah","gid://shopify/Article/999786021238","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/ghana-air-quality-monitoring-odumah","2025-12-03T00:00:03Z",[398,656,661],"Revealing the Invisible: University of Cape Coast maps exposure hotspots in Ghana",{"_10":1264,"_252":-5,"_255":1265,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411823735158","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Ghana_Odumah-Contributor_Desktop_b3cb815f-480c-42a4-bc48-65879d66cfe1.jpg?v=1769010362",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1267,"_1144":1268,"_1160":1269,"_1162":1270,"_1164":1271,"_1166":1272,"_1003":1273,"_10":1274,"_1170":1275,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1276,"_590":1277,"_554":1278,"_1178":1279},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Discover how the Neurological Institute of Thailand is using IQAir monitoring technology to transform their hospital.","

Discover how the Neurological Institute of Thailand is using IQAir monitoring technology to transform their hospital.

","A hospital leading Thailand’s health-driven air quality mission Nestled in the heart of Bangkok, the Neurological Institute of Thailand (NIT)—a specialized government hospital for neurological disorders under the Department of Medical Services (DMS), Ministry of Public Health—has long been recognized for its neurological care, training, policy advocacy, and research (1). Today, it has expanded its mission to address a critical environmental challenge: air pollution. For years, Thailand has faced recurring haze and high PM2.5 pollution levels, particularly during the agricultural burning season. Recognizing the impact on health, the Ministry of Public Health instructed all hospitals to establish pollution clinics to monitor air quality, report findings, and improve local environments. The NIT has become one of the flagship facilities in support of this initiative. Air pollution affects not only respiratory health but is also linked to many neurological conditions (2). Building a foundation for change At first, the NIT’s environmental team encountered challenges. Dr. Tumnark, M.D., who coordinated and implemented the project, explained that early monitoring equipment often failed, producing unreliable results and data gaps. “We realized we needed tools that could measure air quality accurately and sustainably,” said Dr. Tumnark. After comparing multiple solutions, the hospital selected IQAir’s AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitor. “We selected the AirVisual Outdoor for its reliability, easy maintenance, and its long-term efficiency,” recalled Dr. Tumnark. “Before long, it became the backbone of our environmental monitoring efforts.” Connecting data to better health What started as a simple data project soon became a bridge between hospital operations and community health. The hospital uses the AirVisual Dashboard to visualize trends, generate reports, and share information with Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. Beyond government reporting, this data has strengthened community engagement. Live readings are displayed in outpatient departments and on digital boards, allowing patients and families to see pollution levels in real time. The team even created a Line chatbot—Thailand’s most popular messaging app—to broadcast daily PM2.5 updates to staff and nearby residents. “These steps might seem small,” said Dr. Tumnark, “but they built a culture of awareness. Every day, more people checked the data and talked about the air they were breathing.” From a single initiative to a community model The hospital replaced air filters, expanded its outreach, and built staff training around pollution awareness. What began as a modest internal effort has grown into a model for Thailand’s broader health and environment strategy. Today, the NIT’s air quality station has earned a following of nearly 40,000 users, making it one of Thailand’s most-viewed hospital-managed monitoring stations. This visibility has transformed the Institute’s work into a source of daily awareness for residents across Bangkok—helping families, students, and health professionals track pollution in real time and take action to protect their health. Dr. Tumnark said: “As a government neurological hospital, our mission goes beyond treating disease. We are here to promote health—and that means protecting the air we all share.” A vision for a cleaner future The NIT’s initiative continues to evolve as part of Thailand’s national health and environment policy. By contributing accurate, publicly accessible data through IQAir’s network, the hospital empowers policymakers and communities alike to take informed, preventive action. “Our journey is like running a marathon,” Dr. Tumnark said. “It takes endurance, teamwork, and persistence. But step by step, we’re getting closer to the clear blue skies our children deserve.” “We realized we needed tools that could measure air quality accurately and sustainably. It wasn’t just about the data—it was about protecting patients and the community.” The takeaway The Neurological Institute of Thailand demonstrates how hospitals can integrate environmental responsibility into public health. By combining science, awareness, and community engagement, the institute is turning air-quality monitoring into real-world action—proving that protecting health begins with understanding the air we breathe.","

A hospital leading Thailand’s health-driven air quality mission

Nestled in the heart of Bangkok, the Neurological Institute of Thailand (NIT)—a specialized government hospital for neurological disorders under the Department of Medical Services (DMS), Ministry of Public Health—has long been recognized for its neurological care, training, policy advocacy, and research (1). Today, it has expanded its mission to address a critical environmental challenge: air pollution.

For years, Thailand has faced recurring haze and high PM2.5 pollution levels, particularly during the agricultural burning season. Recognizing the impact on health, the Ministry of Public Health instructed all hospitals to establish pollution clinics to monitor air quality, report findings, and improve local environments. The NIT has become one of the flagship facilities in support of this initiative. Air pollution affects not only respiratory health but is also linked to many neurological conditions (2).

Building a foundation for change

At first, the NIT’s environmental team encountered challenges. Dr. Tumnark, M.D., who coordinated and implemented the project, explained that early monitoring equipment often failed, producing unreliable results and data gaps.

“We realized we needed tools that could measure air quality accurately and sustainably,” said Dr. Tumnark.

After comparing multiple solutions, the hospital selected IQAir’s AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitor. “We selected the AirVisual Outdoor for its reliability, easy maintenance, and its long-term efficiency,” recalled Dr. Tumnark. “Before long, it became the backbone of our environmental monitoring efforts.”

Connecting data to better health

What started as a simple data project soon became a bridge between hospital operations and community health. The hospital uses the AirVisual Dashboard to visualize trends, generate reports, and share information with Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. Beyond government reporting, this data has strengthened community engagement.

Live readings are displayed in outpatient departments and on digital boards, allowing patients and families to see pollution levels in real time. The team even created a Line chatbot—Thailand’s most popular messaging app—to broadcast daily PM2.5 updates to staff and nearby residents.

“These steps might seem small,” said Dr. Tumnark, “but they built a culture of awareness. Every day, more people checked the data and talked about the air they were breathing.”

From a single initiative to a community model

The hospital replaced air filters, expanded its outreach, and built staff training around pollution awareness. What began as a modest internal effort has grown into a model for Thailand’s broader health and environment strategy.

Today, the NIT’s air quality station has earned a following of nearly 40,000 users, making it one of Thailand’s most-viewed hospital-managed monitoring stations. This visibility has transformed the Institute’s work into a source of daily awareness for residents across Bangkok—helping families, students, and health professionals track pollution in real time and take action to protect their health.

Dr. Tumnark said: “As a government neurological hospital, our mission goes beyond treating disease. We are here to promote health—and that means protecting the air we all share.”

A vision for a cleaner future

The NIT’s initiative continues to evolve as part of Thailand’s national health and environment policy. By contributing accurate, publicly accessible data through IQAir’s network, the hospital empowers policymakers and communities alike to take informed, preventive action.

“Our journey is like running a marathon,” Dr. Tumnark said. “It takes endurance, teamwork, and persistence. But step by step, we’re getting closer to the clear blue skies our children deserve.”

“We realized we needed tools that could measure air quality accurately and sustainably. It wasn’t just about the data—it was about protecting patients and the community.”

The takeaway

The Neurological Institute of Thailand demonstrates how hospitals can integrate environmental responsibility into public health. By combining science, awareness, and community engagement, the institute is turning air-quality monitoring into real-world action—proving that protecting health begins with understanding the air we breathe.

","revealing-invisible-thailand-neurological-institute","gid://shopify/Article/999724220790","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-invisible-thailand-neurological-institute","2025-11-24T00:00:07Z",[656,661],"Revealing the Invisible: How the Neurological Institute of Thailand turns air quality data into action",{"_10":1280,"_252":-5,"_255":1281,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411340669302","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/CS_Neurological_Inst_Thailand_Desktop_a_f385b593-7b40-4e4c-937d-62d2d3688b66.jpg?v=1767114404",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1283,"_1144":1284,"_1160":1285,"_1162":1286,"_1164":1287,"_1166":1288,"_1003":1289,"_10":1290,"_1170":1291,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1292,"_590":1293,"_554":1294,"_1178":1295},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"WWF Pakistan is tackling air pollution with IQAir. Learn how real-time data is driving change across the country.","

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Pakistan Needs Reliable Air Quality Data

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

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

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

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

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

Building Pakistan's National Air Quality Network

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

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

Using Air Quality Data to Combat Pollution in Pakistan

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

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

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

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

Pakistan's Long-Term Pollution Solutions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

","revealing-the-invisible-wwf-pakistan","gid://shopify/Article/997495079286","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-wwf-pakistan","2025-11-12T17:43:03Z",[656,661,974],"Revealing the Invisible: WWF-Pakistan’s mission for clean air",{"_10":1296,"_252":1297,"_255":1298,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/410126352758","WWF Team standing Next to Solar Panel","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_PakistanContributor_Desk_A_a18d7b5d-29f7-4e70-ad5d-e0c4f15aebc6.jpg?v=1762969386",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1300,"_1144":1301,"_1160":1302,"_1162":1303,"_1164":1304,"_1166":1305,"_1003":1306,"_10":1307,"_1170":1308,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1309,"_590":1310,"_554":1311,"_1178":1312},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"BEYC in Bangkok uses air quality data in daily routines and lessons—protecting students and sparking lifelong awareness.","

BEYC in Bangkok uses air quality data in daily routines and lessons—protecting students and sparking lifelong awareness.

","British Early Years Centre (BEYC) in Bangkok is a school known for its innovative educational approaches and nature-based learning philosophy. Through the use of an IQAir AirVisual Monitor, this international kindergarten helps protect students from air pollution while sparking awareness about the environment (1). An environment built for health, safety, and discovery Located in the family-friendly Ari neighborhood, BEYC caters to children ages 2 to 6, blending the British Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum with Reggio Emilia principles like child-led learning and hands-on exploration. “Our philosophy is that the environment is the third teacher,” says Ms Liv, Head of School at BEYC. “If air quality is part of our environment, then understanding it becomes part of the learning journey.” For BEYC, air quality monitoring is a natural extension of its broader health-first policies. From its allergen-controlled campus and gluten-free meals to the use of natural materials and handmade organic soaps, BEYC’s daily operations reflect a commitment to child wellness. How air quality data shapes daily decisions Air quality data from the school’s IQAir AirVisual Monitor plays a practical role in daily safety decisions. When PM2.5 levels rise, teachers take swift action—adjusting outdoor play schedules, moving activities indoors, and ensuring windows remain closed to limit exposure. “Our air quality monitor gives us clear, real-time information we can act on,” explains Liv. “It makes invisible risks visible—for both teachers and families.” Staff members regularly reference the AQI (Air Quality Index) before outdoor play, and families are encouraged to check the school’s public air quality feed online, thanks to BEYC’s participation on IQAir’s AirVisual platform. Turning air quality into a teachable moment At BEYC, air quality monitoring isn’t just about risk mitigation—it’s also a learning tool. The Reggio Emilia philosophy emphasizes following children’s natural curiosity, and the AirVisual monitor often sparks questions from students: “Why is the air red today?” “What does PM2.5 mean?” “How can we make the air better?” Teachers use these moments to introduce age-appropriate discussions about pollution, environmental responsibility, and how children can help care for their world. “Even at this young age, our students are beginning to make the connection between what they see on the air quality display and the choices we make that day,” says Liv. “That’s powerful learning.” Community impact beyond the classroom BEYC’s air quality station doesn’t just serve the school. With nearly 35,000 followers, their IQAir contributor profile has become a primary resource for the community to understand local air quality. “It’s incredible to think our data is helping so many people make important daily decisions about their health,” Liv said. “The platform makes sharing our data simple and meaningful,” says Liv. “It allows us to help families here in our area—and contributes to the wider air quality conversation globally.” With nearly 35,000 followers, their IQAir contributor profile has become a primary resource for the community to understand local air quality. BEYC’s participation is part of IQAir’s global school air monitoring initiative, a growing network of educational institutions helping to build one of the world’s most comprehensive air quality data networks. Conclusion British Early Years Centre shows that air quality awareness and education aren’t just for older students. By integrating IQAir’s monitoring technology into its health policies and curriculum, BEYC is equipping young learners with tools for understanding and protecting their well-being. In Bangkok, where pollution is a concern, BEYC stands as an example of how schools can empower children and families to make informed, healthy choices—one data point, one teaching moment, and one curious question at a time.","

British Early Years Centre (BEYC) in Bangkok is a school known for its innovative educational approaches and nature-based learning philosophy. Through the use of an IQAir AirVisual Monitor, this international kindergarten helps protect students from air pollution while sparking awareness about the environment (1).

An environment built for health, safety, and discovery

Located in the family-friendly Ari neighborhood, BEYC caters to children ages 2 to 6, blending the British Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum with Reggio Emilia principles like child-led learning and hands-on exploration.

“Our philosophy is that the environment is the third teacher,” says Ms Liv, Head of School at BEYC. “If air quality is part of our environment, then understanding it becomes part of the learning journey.”

For BEYC, air quality monitoring is a natural extension of its broader health-first policies. From its allergen-controlled campus and gluten-free meals to the use of natural materials and handmade organic soaps, BEYC’s daily operations reflect a commitment to child wellness.

How air quality data shapes daily decisions

Air quality data from the school’s IQAir AirVisual Monitor plays a practical role in daily safety decisions. When PM2.5 levels rise, teachers take swift action—adjusting outdoor play schedules, moving activities indoors, and ensuring windows remain closed to limit exposure.

“Our air quality monitor gives us clear, real-time information we can act on,” explains Liv. “It makes invisible risks visible—for both teachers and families.”

Staff members regularly reference the AQI (Air Quality Index) before outdoor play, and families are encouraged to check the school’s public air quality feed online, thanks to BEYC’s participation on IQAir’s AirVisual platform.

Turning air quality into a teachable moment

At BEYC, air quality monitoring isn’t just about risk mitigation—it’s also a learning tool. The Reggio Emilia philosophy emphasizes following children’s natural curiosity, and the AirVisual monitor often sparks questions from students:

“Why is the air red today?”
“What does PM2.5 mean?”
“How can we make the air better?”

Teachers use these moments to introduce age-appropriate discussions about pollution, environmental responsibility, and how children can help care for their world.

“Even at this young age, our students are beginning to make the connection between what they see on the air quality display and the choices we make that day,” says Liv. “That’s powerful learning.”

Community impact beyond the classroom

BEYC’s air quality station doesn’t just serve the school. With nearly 35,000 followers, their IQAir contributor profile has become a primary resource for the community to understand local air quality.

“It’s incredible to think our data is helping so many people make important daily decisions about their health,” Liv said. “The platform makes sharing our data simple and meaningful,” says Liv. “It allows us to help families here in our area—and contributes to the wider air quality conversation globally.”

With nearly 35,000 followers, their IQAir contributor profile has become a primary resource for the community to understand local air quality.

BEYC’s participation is part of IQAir’s global school air monitoring initiative, a growing network of educational institutions helping to build one of the world’s most comprehensive air quality data networks.

Conclusion

British Early Years Centre shows that air quality awareness and education aren’t just for older students. By integrating IQAir’s monitoring technology into its health policies and curriculum, BEYC is equipping young learners with tools for understanding and protecting their well-being.

In Bangkok, where pollution is a concern, BEYC stands as an example of how schools can empower children and families to make informed, healthy choices—one data point, one teaching moment, and one curious question at a time.

","revealing-the-invisible-beyc","gid://shopify/Article/999585120630","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-beyc","2025-10-20T21:41:05Z",[656,661],"Revealing the Invisible: How Bangkok’s BEYC teaches clean air awareness",{"_10":1313,"_252":-5,"_255":1314,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411006894454","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_BEYC-Contributor_Desk_A_d06cf3de-06d5-405b-8906-f4455b375769.jpg?v=1765827705",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1316,"_1144":1317,"_1160":1318,"_1162":1319,"_1164":1320,"_1166":1321,"_1003":1322,"_10":1323,"_1170":1324,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1325,"_590":1326,"_554":1328,"_1178":1329},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"FPT University is turning air quality data into education, action, and cleaner air for Vietnam’s future. Learn how their campus network empowers students and communities.","

FPT University is turning air quality data into education, action, and cleaner air for Vietnam’s future. Learn how their campus network empowers students and communities.

","A university committed to clean air and climate action FPT University (FPTU) has long stood at the intersection of innovation, education, and sustainability in Vietnam (1). As part of the FPT Education Organization, FPTU spans five campuses across the country—from Hanoi to Can Tho—educating tens of thousands of students across disciplines. Now, FPTU is taking a bold new step to protect the air its students breathe. In 2024, the university committed to integrating air quality monitoring into its Sustainable Development Strategy, installing IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitors on their campuses throughout Vietnam. Choosing a path forward Poor air quality is a rising concern in many parts of Vietnam, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. FPTU recognized the importance of not just understanding air pollution—but actively measuring and managing it. FPTU discovered IQAir’s global air quality map and monitoring solutions and, impressed by the company’s transparency and global presence, partnered with its technical team to install air monitors across its campuses. “We chose IQAir because they are trusted around the world,” said Truong Thi Anh Dao, Head of SDG office at FPT University at Ho Chi Minh City. “The AirVisual devices provide reliable, easy-to-understand data for students, staff, and the wider community.” Building a nationwide monitoring network In March 2025, FPTU launched its pilot station at the Ho Chi Minh City campus. After confirming system performance and establishing a dedicated project team, the university quickly expanded the program. By June, three additional IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitors were installed across campuses in Can Tho, Qui Nhon, and Da Nang. Despite logistical challenges—such as equipment transport between cities—the rollout was smooth, thanks to close support from IQAir’s team and a proactive university task force. FPTU’s four-station network now provides real-time air quality data across central and southern Vietnam, with Hanoi’s northern campus slated to join soon. FPT University’s air quality monitoring network is publicly accessible via their IQAir Contributor Profile, where each campus station shares real-time data and helps build a more transparent, informed picture of air quality across Vietnam. Turning data into decisions The real-time data generated by each monitor is displayed prominently on large digital screens in campus lobbies, enabling thousands of students and staff to stay informed at a glance. Over 2,400 people across the university’s stations now check AQI data daily. Monitoring teams track patterns, flag anomalies, and coordinate with local environmental authorities when air quality drops. During high-pollution days, the data helps guide activity planning and safety precautions on campus. “Our students are proud to be part of a school that takes clean air seriously.” –Truong Thi Anh Dao, Head of SDG office, FPT University at Ho Chi Minh City “We were amazed at how a small sensor could provide so much insight,” said Dao. “Our students are proud to be part of a school that takes clean air seriously.” Empowering students through clean air and sustainability For FPTU, air monitoring isn’t just about protection—it’s about education and empowerment. Faculty are incorporating air quality data into classroom learning and research, while students are leading sustainability initiatives. Tree planting campaigns, rooftop gardens, and electric vehicle advocacy are just some of the student-driven projects now taking root. The Ho Chi Minh campus saw a 30–35% reduction in student vehicle use following a carpool campaign in 2024. In Quy Nhon, over 1,200 trees were planted in a multi-layered tropical garden system—efforts that have measurably improved the campus air quality. “We are thrilled to see so much student engagement,” said Dao. From university to community: Growing the vision for Vietnam FPTU is already looking ahead. The university plans to expand its monitoring network to the FSchool system, which serves K–12 students across 13 locations in Vietnam. Starting with the Hanoi campus, younger students will soon gain access to real-time air quality data—and learn how to interpret and act on it. “We want our students to grow up understanding not just why air quality matters, but how they can be part of the solution,” Dao said. FPTU also aims to leverage its vast communication reach—10 million followers across websites and fan pages—to educate the broader public and encourage environmental action. “When we understand the air we breathe, we’re better equipped to change it.” Conclusion Through its partnership with IQAir, FPT University is helping shape a new standard for health, safety, and sustainability in Vietnamese education. FPTU’s message to other institutions is simple. As Dao put it: “By contributing even one data point to the map, you help tell a more complete story of your city’s air quality. And when we understand the air we breathe, we’re better equipped to change it.” FPT University’s leadership in air quality monitoring reflects a powerful truth: clean air is a right, not a luxury. By combining science, education, and action, FPTU is not only protecting its students—it’s empowering a new generation to lead the charge for cleaner air.","

A university committed to clean air and climate action

FPT University (FPTU) has long stood at the intersection of innovation, education, and sustainability in Vietnam (1). As part of the FPT Education Organization, FPTU spans five campuses across the country—from Hanoi to Can Tho—educating tens of thousands of students across disciplines. Now, FPTU is taking a bold new step to protect the air its students breathe.

In 2024, the university committed to integrating air quality monitoring into its Sustainable Development Strategy, installing IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitors on their campuses throughout Vietnam.

Choosing a path forward

Poor air quality is a rising concern in many parts of Vietnam, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. FPTU recognized the importance of not just understanding air pollution—but actively measuring and managing it.

FPTU discovered IQAir’s global air quality map and monitoring solutions and, impressed by the company’s transparency and global presence, partnered with its technical team to install air monitors across its campuses.

“We chose IQAir because they are trusted around the world,” said Truong Thi Anh Dao, Head of SDG office at FPT University at Ho Chi Minh City. “The AirVisual devices provide reliable, easy-to-understand data for students, staff, and the wider community.”

Building a nationwide monitoring network

In March 2025, FPTU launched its pilot station at the Ho Chi Minh City campus. After confirming system performance and establishing a dedicated project team, the university quickly expanded the program. By June, three additional IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitors were installed across campuses in Can Tho, Qui Nhon, and Da Nang.

Despite logistical challenges—such as equipment transport between cities—the rollout was smooth, thanks to close support from IQAir’s team and a proactive university task force.

FPTU’s four-station network now provides real-time air quality data across central and southern Vietnam, with Hanoi’s northern campus slated to join soon.

FPT University’s air quality monitoring network is publicly accessible via their IQAir Contributor Profile, where each campus station shares real-time data and helps build a more transparent, informed picture of air quality across Vietnam.

Turning data into decisions

The real-time data generated by each monitor is displayed prominently on large digital screens in campus lobbies, enabling thousands of students and staff to stay informed at a glance. Over 2,400 people across the university’s stations now check AQI data daily.

Monitoring teams track patterns, flag anomalies, and coordinate with local environmental authorities when air quality drops. During high-pollution days, the data helps guide activity planning and safety precautions on campus.

“Our students are proud to be part of a school that takes clean air seriously.” –Truong Thi Anh Dao, Head of SDG office, FPT University at Ho Chi Minh City

“We were amazed at how a small sensor could provide so much insight,” said Dao. “Our students are proud to be part of a school that takes clean air seriously.”

Empowering students through clean air and sustainability

For FPTU, air monitoring isn’t just about protection—it’s about education and empowerment. Faculty are incorporating air quality data into classroom learning and research, while students are leading sustainability initiatives.

Tree planting campaigns, rooftop gardens, and electric vehicle advocacy are just some of the student-driven projects now taking root. The Ho Chi Minh campus saw a 30–35% reduction in student vehicle use following a carpool campaign in 2024. In Quy Nhon, over 1,200 trees were planted in a multi-layered tropical garden system—efforts that have measurably improved the campus air quality.

“We are thrilled to see so much student engagement,” said Dao.

From university to community: Growing the vision for Vietnam

FPTU is already looking ahead. The university plans to expand its monitoring network to the FSchool system, which serves K–12 students across 13 locations in Vietnam. Starting with the Hanoi campus, younger students will soon gain access to real-time air quality data—and learn how to interpret and act on it.

“We want our students to grow up understanding not just why air quality matters, but how they can be part of the solution,” Dao said.

FPTU also aims to leverage its vast communication reach—10 million followers across websites and fan pages—to educate the broader public and encourage environmental action.

“When we understand the air we breathe, we’re better equipped to change it.”

Conclusion

Through its partnership with IQAir, FPT University is helping shape a new standard for health, safety, and sustainability in Vietnamese education. FPTU’s message to other institutions is simple. As Dao put it: “By contributing even one data point to the map, you help tell a more complete story of your city’s air quality. And when we understand the air we breathe, we’re better equipped to change it.”

FPT University’s leadership in air quality monitoring reflects a powerful truth: clean air is a right, not a luxury. By combining science, education, and action, FPTU is not only protecting its students—it’s empowering a new generation to lead the charge for cleaner air.

","revealing-the-invisible-fpt-university-vietnam","gid://shopify/Article/999438156150","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-fpt-university-vietnam","2025-10-05T22:00:00Z",[1327,656,661],"Air Cleaning Technology","Revealing the Invisible: How FPT University is advancing air quality in Vietnam",{"_10":1330,"_252":1331,"_255":1332,"_257":1182,"_253":1333},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/410835878262","FPT university building ","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Image-2025-09-29_12_10_15-2_a2abb15e-aff4-4432-bf59-e3154550d75a.png?v=1765209660",1550,{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1335,"_1144":1336,"_1160":1337,"_1162":1338,"_1164":1339,"_1166":1340,"_1003":1341,"_10":1342,"_1170":1343,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1344,"_590":1345,"_554":1346,"_1178":1347},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Bangkok partners with IQAir to tackle air pollution. Learn more about this landmark collaboration.","

Bangkok partners with IQAir to tackle air pollution. Learn more about this landmark collaboration.

","On September 30, 2025, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and IQAir signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance air quality initiatives in Bangkok. The signing ceremony, held at Bangkok City Hall, featured the Governor of Bangkok, H.E. Chadchart Sittipunt, Director-General of the BMA Environment Department, Mr. Prapas Lueangsirinapha, and IQAir Global CEO, Mr. Frank Hammes. This collaboration marks a major milestone in Bangkok’s efforts to address urban air pollution and protect public health. “Air quality is not only important for the health of our citizens, but also for the future of our city,” said Governor of Bangkok H.E. Chadchart Sittipunt. “Tools like the IQAir mobile app can help to educate citizens and ultimately help to enhance our city's air quality.” Governor of Bangkok H.E. Chadchart Sittipunt delivers remarks at the MoU signing ceremony. Source: IQAir. Data-driven insights IQAir will provide its air quality monitoring platform and access to real-time and historical data to support Bangkok’s public health initiatives. This will help the BMA make evidence-based decisions, communicate risks to the public, and guide long-term policy. The partnership will leverage IQAir’s AirVisual Outdoor monitors to expand citywide air monitoring, empowering authorities and citizens with transparent, hyperlocal data. Public awareness Together, IQAir and the BMA will launch campaigns to raise awareness of air pollution risks and provide Bangkok residents with actionable steps to protect themselves, with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. Cleaner air in Bangkok schools The partnership will also address air quality in schools by monitoring indoor air conditions, developing protocols and guidelines, and exploring policy recommendations to safeguard children’s health and learning environments. One of the long-term goals of this initiative is to make Bangkok’s schools among the healthiest in the world, despite the city’s challenging environmental conditions. By prioritizing clean air in classrooms, the BMA and IQAir aim to give children the healthiest possible start in life while setting an international benchmark for school environments in large urban centers. A partnership built on shared commitment This collaboration reflects a united approach — pairing government leadership with international technology expertise — to deliver lasting improvements to Bangkok’s air. IQAir will contribute global expertise, advanced technology, and monitoring solutions, while the BMA will lead local implementation and community engagement. “Bangkok is demonstrating bold leadership by prioritizing clean air for its citizens,” said Frank Hammes, Global CEO of IQAir. “We are honored to support this vision with our data, technology, and expertise.” “Bangkok is demonstrating bold leadership by prioritizing clean air for its citizens.” – Frank Hammes, Global CEO, IQAir IQAir CEO Frank Hammes highlights the importance of data and technology in supporting Bangkok’s clean air goals. Source: IQAir. Conclusion Bangkok is taking decisive action to confront air pollution and protect public health. With IQAir’s global expertise and the BMA’s leadership, this partnership to advance Bangkok’s air quality initiatives will bring data-driven insights, community education, and school-focused solutions to one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.","

On September 30, 2025, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and IQAir signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance air quality initiatives in Bangkok.

The signing ceremony, held at Bangkok City Hall, featured the Governor of Bangkok, H.E. Chadchart Sittipunt, Director-General of the BMA Environment Department, Mr. Prapas Lueangsirinapha, and IQAir Global CEO, Mr. Frank Hammes. This collaboration marks a major milestone in Bangkok’s efforts to address urban air pollution and protect public health.

“Air quality is not only important for the health of our citizens, but also for the future of our city,” said Governor of Bangkok H.E. Chadchart Sittipunt. “Tools like the IQAir mobile app can help to educate citizens and ultimately help to enhance our city's air quality.”

$\"\"$
Governor of Bangkok H.E. Chadchart Sittipunt delivers remarks at the MoU signing ceremony. Source: IQAir.

Data-driven insights

IQAir will provide its air quality monitoring platform and access to real-time and historical data to support Bangkok’s public health initiatives. This will help the BMA make evidence-based decisions, communicate risks to the public, and guide long-term policy.

The partnership will leverage IQAir’s AirVisual Outdoor monitors to expand citywide air monitoring, empowering authorities and citizens with transparent, hyperlocal data.

Public awareness

Together, IQAir and the BMA will launch campaigns to raise awareness of air pollution risks and provide Bangkok residents with actionable steps to protect themselves, with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

Cleaner air in Bangkok schools

The partnership will also address air quality in schools by monitoring indoor air conditions, developing protocols and guidelines, and exploring policy recommendations to safeguard children’s health and learning environments.

One of the long-term goals of this initiative is to make Bangkok’s schools among the healthiest in the world, despite the city’s challenging environmental conditions.

By prioritizing clean air in classrooms, the BMA and IQAir aim to give children the healthiest possible start in life while setting an international benchmark for school environments in large urban centers.

A partnership built on shared commitment

This collaboration reflects a united approach — pairing government leadership with international technology expertise — to deliver lasting improvements to Bangkok’s air. IQAir will contribute global expertise, advanced technology, and monitoring solutions, while the BMA will lead local implementation and community engagement.

“Bangkok is demonstrating bold leadership by prioritizing clean air for its citizens,” said Frank Hammes, Global CEO of IQAir. “We are honored to support this vision with our data, technology, and expertise.”

“Bangkok is demonstrating bold leadership by prioritizing clean air for its citizens.” – Frank Hammes, Global CEO, IQAir

$\"\"$
IQAir CEO Frank Hammes highlights the importance of data and technology in supporting Bangkok’s clean air goals. Source: IQAir.

Conclusion

Bangkok is taking decisive action to confront air pollution and protect public health. With IQAir’s global expertise and the BMA’s leadership, this partnership to advance Bangkok’s air quality initiatives will bring data-driven insights, community education, and school-focused solutions to one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.

","bangkok-iqair-air-quality-partnership","gid://shopify/Article/999485112694","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/bangkok-iqair-air-quality-partnership","2025-10-02T10:00:00Z",[398,656],"Bangkok and IQAir sign landmark partnership for clean air",{"_10":1348,"_252":-5,"_255":1349,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/410653458806","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_Bangkok-IQAir_Desk_A_53b8e9ef-e0d1-41f6-9814-82b45b73acc0.jpg?v=1764612865",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1351,"_1144":1352,"_1160":1353,"_1162":1354,"_1164":1355,"_1166":1356,"_1003":1357,"_10":1358,"_1170":1359,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1360,"_590":1361,"_554":1362,"_1178":1363},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Ukrainian scientists are conducting research on one of the most remote islands on earth. See how air quality tech is lifting the veil on Antarctica’s hidden air quality.","

Ukrainian scientists are conducting research on one of the most remote islands on earth. See how air quality tech is lifting the veil on Antarctica’s hidden air quality.

","It’s easy to assume that one of the few comforts enjoyed by scientists in Antarctica is breathing in the cleanest air on earth. Unmarred by cities, highways, mining, or agricultural or industrial activity, the continent is locked away under ice and snow. Only coastal penguin colonies and isolated research stations dot a starkly beautiful landscape. But as Ukrainian researchers at Vernadsky Research Base on Galindez Island are finding through air quality technology, clean air isn’t always promised at the most remote destination on Earth. A long-awaited expedition into science Scientists who visit Antarctica are among the most knowledgeable in their field; the posting is an exceptionally rare opportunity. Serhii Yakushchenko had always wanted to travel – even to the furthest reaches of the earth – and was elated to be among the few stationed there. “Since childhood, I have been an avid reader and dreamer. I was particularly fascinated by travel books and often imagined travelling the world.” The meteorologist got his chance when he was selected for a recent expedition to Vernadsky. His time on the island left a lasting impression. “Everyone who has worked there leaves part of themselves behind and takes part of Antarctica with them in their heart.” “Everyone who has worked there leaves part of themselves behind and takes part of Antarctica with them in their heart.” Serhii said. “The landscapes are all mesmerizing, and it is fascinating to observe the ever-changing weather and surroundings.” And of course, there is a job to do. “Working at the station is not just about the beauty and nature around it. Above all, it is a great responsibility and challenge for me as a scientist. It is an opportunity to contribute to Ukrainian science and represent it on the global stage.” Part of the appeal was the incredibly changeable weather on Galindez Island. “During the day, you can see different conditions. It can be snowing, raining, then half of the day without any clouds, and then later, changing wind direction.” Though the station doesn't have strong minus degree temperatures, clouds and strong winds are ever present. “Wind is a bigger challenge for us. We had an all-year record for wind gusts at 42.5 meters per second, or152 kilometers per hour.” Researching Antarctica’s air Despite these challenging conditions, Vernadsky serves a critical hub for groundbreaking air quality monitoring research. Research at the station is driven by the need to understand the dynamics of air quality in one of the most remote and isolated regions on Earth. And by deploying air quality monitoring technology, researchers seek to uncover the nuances of Antarctic air. Ukrainian researchers like Serhii study the seasonal behavior of particulate matter (PM) in the maritime Antarctic Peninsula. There, he collected air quality data using a Microtops AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth)/AE (Angstrom Exponent) device – but the handheld Microtops has its limitations. “We can use them just when the weather is very good, without any clouds,” Serhii said. “We need direct sunlight to use Microtops devices.” During Serhii’s expedition, there were 286 cloudy days at the station. To overcome this hurdle and further research, an AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitor was installed by Professor Gennadi Milinevsky at the station in 2024. Air quality data collected from the monitor was compared to the aerosol optical thickness and the Angstrom exponent (how the optical thickness of an aerosol typically depends on the wavelength of the light) values collected by the Microtops device. The result? A clearer picture of the influence of wind, temperature, and sea ice on particulate matter concentration, as well as the impact of aerosols on the quality of total ozone measurements. Serhii noted that further comparisons will be made with aerosol measurements taken at the Czech station Mendel located on the other side of the peninsula. Air quality uncovered, inside and out An AirVisual Pro Indoor Monitor was also installed in the meteorology office – an important line of defense in maintaining the expedition’s health. Given the need to insulate against extreme weather conditions, it helped the team know when fresh air was needed due to a build-up of indoor air pollutants. Given the more stable indoor environment, it also served as a useful source of baseline comparison with the outdoor air quality monitor, providing a holistic and comprehensive perspective on air quality at that location. Technical challenges Antarctica is profoundly cut off from most of humanity; the nearest city is Ushuaia, Argentina, about 620 miles away. This isolation provides a unique environment and opportunity for climate and meteorological research. It also means there are unique challenges to overcome, including those that could hamper gathering reliable air quality data. The harsh Antarctic weather, characterized by freezing temperatures, strong winds, and heavy snowfall, demands robust and resilient technology capable of withstanding such extreme conditions. “In general, the devices were easy to install and calibrate, both indoors and outdoors.” Serhii explained. “The 15-meter cable was long enough to position the outdoor monitor correctly. The instructions were clear and easy to understand.” The devices were easy to install and calibrate, both indoors and outdoors,” Serhii explained. “The instructions were clear and easy to understand.” However, Antarctica’s isolation means that internet connectivity can be both limited and unpredictable. Researchers often rely on satellite communication systems, which can be disrupted by severe weather conditions. Ensuring continuous and accurate data transmission from the AirVisual Outdoor monitor required innovative solutions and constant vigilance. The team at Vernadsky developed strategies to overcome any connectivity issues. including redirecting the indoor monitor to a strong WiFi point and occasional manual equipment restarts. With those issues addressed, the station continually publishes data air quality to the AirVisual platform despite the extreme environment. Air quality findings revealed The AirVisual monitor deployment at the base has yielded some fascinating air quality findings. A surprising area of research: the impact of a huge penguin colony of over 6,000 birds on the island’s local air quality. “There’s a lot of research into the impact of the growing penguin colony, their impact on air quality, and how penguin excrement can create more clouds,” Serhii explained. Penguin guano, or waste, releases ammonia and other compounds into the atmosphere, which can contribute to particulate matter levels and create help form more clouds in an already cloudy environment. Since penguins are commonly found on the Antarctic coast – where most of research stations are also located – it’s an opportunity to learn more about how animals influence this otherwise mostly uninhabited environment. Other potential sources of poor air quality are the diesel generators used for powering the research station. Emissions from these generators can vary with weather conditions, particularly wind direction and speed, which disperse or concentrate pollutants around the base. Future air quality research Air quality research doesn’t end with Serhii’s season in Antarctica. He fully trained and prepared his successor to carry on monitoring at the station – though he is also looking forward to returning in future. Continuously updated, real-time data is essential for the full air quality picture and understanding of conditions. As the Ukrainian research team knows, air quality monitoring at Vernadsky Research Base sets the table for better understanding of Antarctic atmospheric conditions. Data collected from the AirVisual Outdoor could contribute to studies to understand and mitigate the impacts of air pollution in Antarctica and to see how climate change and other environmental influences are impacting the world. The takeaway Antarctica's Vernadsky Research Base pioneering research, led by dedicated Ukrainian scientists like Serhii and supported by AirVisual air quality monitors, sheds a vital spotlight on air quality even in the most remote corners of the world. This air quality research challenges perceptions of pristine environments and demonstrates the intricate interactions between natural and human-induced factors affecting air quality. As the project moves forward, it may deepen the scientific community’s understanding of global atmospheric conditions and help pave the way for future air quality research in Antarctica.","

It’s easy to assume that one of the few comforts enjoyed by scientists in Antarctica is breathing in the cleanest air on earth. Unmarred by cities, highways, mining, or agricultural or industrial activity, the continent is locked away under ice and snow. Only coastal penguin colonies and isolated research stations dot a starkly beautiful landscape.

But as Ukrainian researchers at Vernadsky Research Base on Galindez Island are finding through air quality technology, clean air isn’t always promised at the most remote destination on Earth.

$\"\"$

A long-awaited expedition into science

Scientists who visit Antarctica are among the most knowledgeable in their field; the posting is an exceptionally rare opportunity. Serhii Yakushchenko had always wanted to travel – even to the furthest reaches of the earth – and was elated to be among the few stationed there.

“Since childhood, I have been an avid reader and dreamer. I was particularly fascinated by travel books and often imagined travelling the world.”

The meteorologist got his chance when he was selected for a recent expedition to Vernadsky. His time on the island left a lasting impression.

“Everyone who has worked there leaves part of themselves behind and takes part of Antarctica with them in their heart.”
\n

“Everyone who has worked there leaves part of themselves behind and takes part of Antarctica with them in their heart.” Serhii said. “The landscapes are all mesmerizing, and it is fascinating to observe the ever-changing weather and surroundings.”

And of course, there is a job to do. “Working at the station is not just about the beauty and nature around it. Above all, it is a great responsibility and challenge for me as a scientist. It is an opportunity to contribute to Ukrainian science and represent it on the global stage.”

Part of the appeal was the incredibly changeable weather on Galindez Island. “During the day, you can see different conditions. It can be snowing, raining, then half of the day without any clouds, and then later, changing wind direction.”

Though the station doesn't have strong minus degree temperatures, clouds and strong winds are ever present.

“Wind is a bigger challenge for us. We had an all-year record for wind gusts at 42.5 meters per second, or152 kilometers per hour.”

Researching Antarctica’s air

Despite these challenging conditions, Vernadsky serves a critical hub for groundbreaking air quality monitoring research. Research at the station is driven by the need to understand the dynamics of air quality in one of the most remote and isolated regions on Earth. And by deploying air quality monitoring technology, researchers seek to uncover the nuances of Antarctic air.

Ukrainian researchers like Serhii study the seasonal behavior of particulate matter (PM) in the maritime Antarctic Peninsula. There, he collected air quality data using a Microtops AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth)/AE (Angstrom Exponent) device – but the handheld Microtops has its limitations.

“We can use them just when the weather is very good, without any clouds,” Serhii said. “We need direct sunlight to use Microtops devices.”

During Serhii’s expedition, there were 286 cloudy days at the station.

To overcome this hurdle and further research, an AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitor was installed by Professor Gennadi Milinevsky at the station in 2024. Air quality data collected from the monitor was compared to the aerosol optical thickness and the Angstrom exponent (how the optical thickness of an aerosol typically depends on the wavelength of the light) values collected by the Microtops device.

$\"\"$

The result? A clearer picture of the influence of wind, temperature, and sea ice on particulate matter concentration, as well as the impact of aerosols on the quality of total ozone measurements.

Serhii noted that further comparisons will be made with aerosol measurements taken at the Czech station Mendel located on the other side of the peninsula.

Air quality uncovered, inside and out

An AirVisual Pro Indoor Monitor was also installed in the meteorology office – an important line of defense in maintaining the expedition’s health. Given the need to insulate against extreme weather conditions, it helped the team know when fresh air was needed due to a build-up of indoor air pollutants.

$\"\"$

Given the more stable indoor environment, it also served as a useful source of baseline comparison with the outdoor air quality monitor, providing a holistic and comprehensive perspective on air quality at that location.

Technical challenges

Antarctica is profoundly cut off from most of humanity; the nearest city is Ushuaia, Argentina, about 620 miles away. This isolation provides a unique environment and opportunity for climate and meteorological research.

It also means there are unique challenges to overcome, including those that could hamper gathering reliable air quality data. The harsh Antarctic weather, characterized by freezing temperatures, strong winds, and heavy snowfall, demands robust and resilient technology capable of withstanding such extreme conditions.

“In general, the devices were easy to install and calibrate, both indoors and outdoors.” Serhii explained. “The 15-meter cable was long enough to position the outdoor monitor correctly. The instructions were clear and easy to understand.”

$\"\"$

The devices were easy to install and calibrate, both indoors and outdoors,” Serhii explained. “The instructions were clear and easy to understand.”

However, Antarctica’s isolation means that internet connectivity can be both limited and unpredictable. Researchers often rely on satellite communication systems, which can be disrupted by severe weather conditions. Ensuring continuous and accurate data transmission from the AirVisual Outdoor monitor required innovative solutions and constant vigilance.

The team at Vernadsky developed strategies to overcome any connectivity issues. including redirecting the indoor monitor to a strong WiFi point and occasional manual equipment restarts. With those issues addressed, the station continually publishes data air quality to the AirVisual platform despite the extreme environment.

Air quality findings revealed

The AirVisual monitor deployment at the base has yielded some fascinating air quality findings.

A surprising area of research: the impact of a huge penguin colony of over 6,000 birds on the island’s local air quality.

“There’s a lot of research into the impact of the growing penguin colony, their impact on air quality, and how penguin excrement can create more clouds,” Serhii explained.

Penguin guano, or waste, releases ammonia and other compounds into the atmosphere, which can contribute to particulate matter levels and create help form more clouds in an already cloudy environment. Since penguins are commonly found on the Antarctic coast – where most of research stations are also located – it’s an opportunity to learn more about how animals influence this otherwise mostly uninhabited environment.

Other potential sources of poor air quality are the diesel generators used for powering the research station. Emissions from these generators can vary with weather conditions, particularly wind direction and speed, which disperse or concentrate pollutants around the base.

Future air quality research

Air quality research doesn’t end with Serhii’s season in Antarctica. He fully trained and prepared his successor to carry on monitoring at the station – though he is also looking forward to returning in future. Continuously updated, real-time data is essential for the full air quality picture and understanding of conditions.

As the Ukrainian research team knows, air quality monitoring at Vernadsky Research Base sets the table for better understanding of Antarctic atmospheric conditions. Data collected from the AirVisual Outdoor could contribute to studies to understand and mitigate the impacts of air pollution in Antarctica and to see how climate change and other environmental influences are impacting the world.

The takeaway

Antarctica's Vernadsky Research Base pioneering research, led by dedicated Ukrainian scientists like Serhii and supported by AirVisual air quality monitors, sheds a vital spotlight on air quality even in the most remote corners of the world. This air quality research challenges perceptions of pristine environments and demonstrates the intricate interactions between natural and human-induced factors affecting air quality. As the project moves forward, it may deepen the scientific community’s understanding of global atmospheric conditions and help pave the way for future air quality research in Antarctica.

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Will an air purifier help protect your baby's nursery from pollutants? Discover what to look for and what to avoid.

","Air purifiers can significantly improve air quality in babies’ nurseries, helping protect their developing lungs and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants, allergens, and airborne germs. Cleaner indoor air may help reduce exposure to airborne germs and irritants that contribute to congestion or frequent respiratory discomfort, supporting more consistent sleep and feeding routines during infancy. When used correctly, and in tandem with a layered approach to optimizing the air in their nursery, air purifiers create a safer, healthier environment for infants. Why babies and newborns are especially vulnerable to poor air quality Babies breathe faster than adults and have smaller, developing airways, making them more susceptible to respiratory irritation, infections, and long-term health issues (1). Indoor air in nurseries often contains invisible threats like fine particles (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from furniture or cleaning products, allergens, and even bacteria or viruses. Because babies breathe more rapidly and spend much of their time sleeping, it's important to maintain cleaner air that can help support a calmer breathing environment. Common indoor air pollutants in baby nurseries Nurseries can harbor a mix of pollutants that are particularly harmful to babies. These include: Fine particles (PM2.5 and ultrafine): From dust, pet dander, or outdoor pollution seeping indoors, these particles can penetrate deep into developing lungs. VOCs and chemicals: Released by new furniture, flooring, paints, and cleaning supplies, these can irritate airways and contribute to long-term health risks. Allergens: Dust mites, mold spores, and pollen can trigger allergies or asthma symptoms. Airborne germs: Bacteria and viruses linger in the air, increasing the risk of infections. Ozone and ionizer byproducts: Some air purifiers generate ozone, a known lung irritant that can worsen respiratory issues—these should always be avoided in nurseries. Is an air purifier good for a baby or newborn? For babies and newborns, the primary benefit of an air purifier is reducing continuous exposure to fine particles and chemical irritants during critical periods of lung and immune system development. High-quality air purifiers with HyperHEPA filtration and activated carbon are most effective for nurseries. HyperHEPA filters capture 99.95% of airborne particles, including the smallest and most harmful ultrafine particles. Activated carbon filters help remove odors and VOCs. What to look for in an air purifier for a baby’s nursery Not all air purifiers are safe for nurseries. Parents should prioritize: HyperHEPA filtration: Ensures removal of fine particles without producing ozone. Ozone-free: Ionizers and ozone-generating purifiers should be avoided, as ozone can harm developing lungs. Low noise levels: Babies are sensitive to sound; look for models offering soft, low decibel, ultra-quiet performance. Smart sensors: Real-time monitoring helps maintain optimal air quality, especially during sleep. Best practices for using an air purifier in a baby’s nursery Small setup and usage choices can make a meaningful difference in how effectively an air purifier supports a baby’s nursery environment. To maximize benefits: Run the air purifier continuously, especially during sleep, when babies are most vulnerable to airborne irritants. Ensure proper ventilation when outdoor air quality is good. Clean or replace filters when your air purifier notifies you that it is time. Air purifiers aren’t enough: How to improve air quality in a baby’s room While air purifiers are powerful tools, a layered approach ensures the best protection: Reduce sources of pollution: Choose low-VOC furniture, non-toxic cleaning products, and fragrance-free detergents. Regular cleaning: Dust surfaces, vacuum with a HEPA-filtered vacuum, and wash bedding weekly to minimize allergens. Monitor air quality: Use an indoor air quality monitor to track PM2.5, CO2, temperature, and humidity levels. Limit soft furnishings: Carpets, stuffed animals, and heavy drapes trap dust and allergens; opt for washable, hypoallergenic materials. No smoking indoors: Tobacco smoke is especially dangerous for infants and can linger in fabrics and surfaces. These steps are especially important during infancy, when even low-level, repeated exposure to airborne pollutants can influence respiratory health and immune development over time. Frequently Asked Questions Are air purifiers safe for newborns? Yes, and it is recommended that you choose a model with HyperHEPA filtration and avoid ionizers or ozone-generating purifiers. Can an air purifier help my baby sleep better? Yes. Look for models with ultra-quiet fans. How often should I replace the filter in a nursery air purifier? Filter lifespan varies – high quality filters may average as long as four years before replacement filters should be changed. Look for an air purifier that will notify you when filters require replacement. Will an air purifier remove all allergens from the nursery? While purifiers significantly reduce airborne allergens, they can’t eliminate particles settled on surfaces. Regular cleaning and dusting are still essential. Which is better for babies: a humidifier or an air purifier? An air purifier removes airborne pollutants like fine particles, allergens, and irritants, making it the more important choice for improving the air a baby breathes. A humidifier adds moisture to dry air but does not clean it. In many homes, an air purifier is the best first step, with a humidifier used only if indoor air is very dry. Can an air purifier help babies with seasonal allergies? Yes. Air purifiers can reduce airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, and mold spores that contribute to seasonal allergy symptoms in babies. They work best when combined with regular cleaning and keeping windows closed on high-pollen days. Conclusion Just as clean air supports learning and focus later in life, maintaining a clean indoor air environment during infancy helps establish healthy foundations for breathing, sleep, and comfort. Clean air isn’t an intervention — it’s part of a supportive environment that allows development to unfold naturally. Investing in a high-quality, baby-safe air purifier is one of the most effective steps parents can take to reduce everyday exposure to airborne pollutants during early development. By removing fine particles, allergens, and airborne germs, purifiers help create a cleaner, safer nursery environment—especially for babies with asthma or allergies. However, they work best as part of a broader strategy: reducing pollution sources, maintaining good ventilation, and keeping the nursery clean. Preparation and consistency are key. With the right air purifier and habits, you can lower your baby’s exposure to harmful pollutants, supporting healthier lung development and fewer respiratory issues as they grow.","

Air purifiers can significantly improve air quality in babies’ nurseries, helping protect their developing lungs and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants, allergens, and airborne germs. Cleaner indoor air may help reduce exposure to airborne germs and irritants that contribute to congestion or frequent respiratory discomfort, supporting more consistent sleep and feeding routines during infancy.

When used correctly, and in tandem with a layered approach to optimizing the air in their nursery, air purifiers create a safer, healthier environment for infants.

Why babies and newborns are especially vulnerable to poor air quality
\n

Babies breathe faster than adults and have smaller, developing airways, making them more susceptible to respiratory irritation, infections, and long-term health issues (1). Indoor air in nurseries often contains invisible threats like fine particles (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from furniture or cleaning products, allergens, and even bacteria or viruses.

Because babies breathe more rapidly and spend much of their time sleeping, it's important to maintain cleaner air that can help support a calmer breathing environment.

Common indoor air pollutants in baby nurseries

Nurseries can harbor a mix of pollutants that are particularly harmful to babies. These include:

\nFine particles (PM2.5 and ultrafine): From dust, pet dander, or outdoor pollution seeping indoors, these particles can penetrate deep into developing lungs.
\nVOCs and chemicals: Released by new furniture, flooring, paints, and cleaning supplies, these can irritate airways and contribute to long-term health risks.
\n
\nAllergens: Dust mites, mold spores, and pollen can trigger allergies or asthma symptoms.
\n
\nAirborne germs: Bacteria and viruses linger in the air, increasing the risk of infections.
\n
\nOzone and ionizer byproducts: Some air purifiers generate ozone, a known lung irritant that can worsen respiratory issues—these should always be avoided in nurseries.
\n

Is an air purifier good for a baby or newborn?

For babies and newborns, the primary benefit of an air purifier is reducing continuous exposure to fine particles and chemical irritants during critical periods of lung and immune system development.

High-quality air purifiers with HyperHEPA filtration and activated carbon are most effective for nurseries. HyperHEPA filters capture 99.95% of airborne particles, including the smallest and most harmful ultrafine particles. Activated carbon filters help remove odors and VOCs.

What to look for in an air purifier for a baby’s nursery

Not all air purifiers are safe for nurseries. Parents should prioritize:

\nHyperHEPA filtration: Ensures removal of fine particles without producing ozone.
\n
\nOzone-free: Ionizers and ozone-generating purifiers should be avoided, as ozone can harm developing lungs.
\n
\nLow noise levels: Babies are sensitive to sound; look for models offering soft, low decibel, ultra-quiet performance.
\n
\nSmart sensors: Real-time monitoring helps maintain optimal air quality, especially during sleep.

Best practices for using an air purifier in a baby’s nursery

Small setup and usage choices can make a meaningful difference in how effectively an air purifier supports a baby’s nursery environment. To maximize benefits:

Run the air purifier continuously, especially during sleep, when babies are most vulnerable to airborne irritants.
\n
Ensure proper ventilation when outdoor air quality is good.
\n
Clean or replace filters when your air purifier notifies you that it is time.
\n

Air purifiers aren’t enough: How to improve air quality in a baby’s room

While air purifiers are powerful tools, a layered approach ensures the best protection:

\nReduce sources of pollution: Choose low-VOC furniture, non-toxic cleaning products, and fragrance-free detergents.
\n
\nRegular cleaning: Dust surfaces, vacuum with a HEPA-filtered vacuum, and wash bedding weekly to minimize allergens.
\n
\nMonitor air quality: Use an indoor air quality monitor to track PM2.5, CO2, temperature, and humidity levels.
\n
\nLimit soft furnishings: Carpets, stuffed animals, and heavy drapes trap dust and allergens; opt for washable, hypoallergenic materials.
\n
\nNo smoking indoors: Tobacco smoke is especially dangerous for infants and can linger in fabrics and surfaces.
\n

These steps are especially important during infancy, when even low-level, repeated exposure to airborne pollutants can influence respiratory health and immune development over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are air purifiers safe for newborns?

Yes, and it is recommended that you choose a model with HyperHEPA filtration and avoid ionizers or ozone-generating purifiers.

Can an air purifier help my baby sleep better?

Yes. Look for models with ultra-quiet fans.

How often should I replace the filter in a nursery air purifier?

Filter lifespan varies – high quality filters may average as long as four years before replacement filters should be changed. Look for an air purifier that will notify you when filters require replacement.

Will an air purifier remove all allergens from the nursery?

While purifiers significantly reduce airborne allergens, they can’t eliminate particles settled on surfaces. Regular cleaning and dusting are still essential.

Which is better for babies: a humidifier or an air purifier?

An air purifier removes airborne pollutants like fine particles, allergens, and irritants, making it the more important choice for improving the air a baby breathes. A humidifier adds moisture to dry air but does not clean it. In many homes, an air purifier is the best first step, with a humidifier used only if indoor air is very dry.

Can an air purifier help babies with seasonal allergies?

Yes. Air purifiers can reduce airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, and mold spores that contribute to seasonal allergy symptoms in babies. They work best when combined with regular cleaning and keeping windows closed on high-pollen days.

Conclusion

Just as clean air supports learning and focus later in life, maintaining a clean indoor air environment during infancy helps establish healthy foundations for breathing, sleep, and comfort. Clean air isn’t an intervention — it’s part of a supportive environment that allows development to unfold naturally.

Investing in a high-quality, baby-safe air purifier is one of the most effective steps parents can take to reduce everyday exposure to airborne pollutants during early development. By removing fine particles, allergens, and airborne germs, purifiers help create a cleaner, safer nursery environment—especially for babies with asthma or allergies. However, they work best as part of a broader strategy: reducing pollution sources, maintaining good ventilation, and keeping the nursery clean.

Preparation and consistency are key. With the right air purifier and habits, you can lower your baby’s exposure to harmful pollutants, supporting healthier lung development and fewer respiratory issues as they grow.

\n\n

","air-purifiers-for-babies-and-nurseries-safety-benefits-best-practices","gid://shopify/Article/1000503083382","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/air-purifiers-for-babies-and-nurseries-safety-benefits-best-practices","2026-02-17T17:28:39Z",[1327,1176,969],"Air purifiers for babies and nurseries: Safety, benefits, and best practices",{"_10":1403,"_252":-5,"_255":1404,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412708143478","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Article_PurifiersNursery_A_d40f704f-8aae-48da-80ff-d349c81a6fde.jpg?v=1771349332","latest",[1407,1423,1440,1457,1473,1489],{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1408,"_1144":1409,"_1160":1410,"_1162":1411,"_1164":1412,"_1166":1413,"_1003":1414,"_10":1415,"_1170":1416,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1417,"_590":1418,"_554":1419,"_1178":1420},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Explore the current air quality in Incheon and the key factors influencing its pollution levels.","

Explore the current air quality in Incheon and the key factors influencing its pollution levels.

","Is the air quality good in Incheon? On February 20, 2026, at 8:00 AM PT, air quality in Incheon, South Korea is in the unhealth for sensitive groups range. Most of South Korea is experiencing air quality in the unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy range due to a combination of factors. Poor air quality is partially a result of dust from outside Korea, in addition to stagnant winter weather, industrial pollution and vehicle emissions, nighttime biomass burning, and possibly sea salt (1)(2)(3). Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Incheon ranked 10th among the most polluted major cities in the world on Friday. Seoul was the 11th most polluted major city and Busan was the 23rd. Click here for a real-time air quality map of Incheon. While the air quality today is poor, it should be noted that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Incheon was 19.1 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 65 (“moderate”), and was 3.8 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. Which South Korean cities are most impacted by poor air quality? Poor air quality is impacting nearly all South Korea cities, including: Anseong Bucheon Busan Cheonan Cheongju Daejeon Gimpo Gunsan Gwangju Hwaseong Jinju Osan Pocheon Sejong Seoul Seosan Suwon Incheon and Seoul ranked as the 10th and 11th most polluted major cities respectively on Feb 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM PT. Source: IQAir. When will air quality improve in Incheon? Air quality conditions may gradually improve by later in the morning as winds carry pollutants to sea and away from the peninsula. Hourly air quality forecast for Incheon, South Korea on Feb 20, 2026. Source: IQAir. Air quality map of Incheon, South Korea on Feb 20, 2026. Source: IQAir. Air quality map of South Korea on Feb 20, 2026. Source: IQAir. What is causing poor air quality in Incheon? Research from both regional and international sources confirms that transboundary pollution from China significantly affects fine dust concentrations in South Korea. Studies suggest that approximately 19 percent of Korea’s particulate matter originates from outside its borders, with certain months seeing up to 55 percent of ultrafine dust linked to emissions from China (3). Westerly winds carry pollutants from industrial zones in eastern China, while seasonal stagnant air conditions trap these particles over the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, local sources—such as industrial operations and vehicle emissions in Incheon—exacerbate pollution levels in the region. As winds are also being driven north from the sea, sea salt can contribute to the mix of industrial pollutants. 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 Incheon?

On February 20, 2026, at 8:00 AM PT, air quality in Incheon, South Korea is in the unhealth for sensitive groups range. Most of South Korea is experiencing air quality in the unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy range due to a combination of factors.

Poor air quality is partially a result of dust from outside Korea, in addition to stagnant winter weather, industrial pollution and vehicle emissions, nighttime biomass burning, and possibly sea salt (1)(2)(3).

Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Incheon ranked 10th among the most polluted major cities in the world on Friday. Seoul was the 11th most polluted major city and Busan was the 23rd.

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

While the air quality today is poor, it should be noted that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Incheon was 19.1 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 65 (“moderate”), and was 3.8 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.

Which South Korean cities are most impacted by poor air quality?

Poor air quality is impacting nearly all South Korea cities, including:

Anseong
Bucheon
Busan
Cheonan
\n
Cheongju
\n
\n
Daejeon
\n
Gimpo
\n
Gunsan
\n
\nGwangju \n
Hwaseong
Jinju
Osan
Pocheon
\n
Sejong
\n
Seoul
\nSeosan \n
Suwon

$\"\"$ Incheon and Seoul ranked as the 10th and 11th most polluted major cities respectively on Feb 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM PT. Source: IQAir.

\n\n

When will air quality improve in Incheon?

Air quality conditions may gradually improve by later in the morning as winds carry pollutants to sea and away from the peninsula.

$\"\"$ Hourly air quality forecast for Incheon, South Korea on Feb 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.

$\"\"$ Air quality map of Incheon, South Korea on Feb 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.

$\"\"$

Air quality map of South Korea on Feb 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.

\n\n

What is causing poor air quality in Incheon?

Research from both regional and international sources confirms that transboundary pollution from China significantly affects fine dust concentrations in South Korea. Studies suggest that approximately 19 percent of Korea’s particulate matter originates from outside its borders, with certain months seeing up to 55 percent of ultrafine dust linked to emissions from China (3).

Westerly winds carry pollutants from industrial zones in eastern China, while seasonal stagnant air conditions trap these particles over the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, local sources—such as industrial operations and vehicle emissions in Incheon—exacerbate pollution levels in the region.

As winds are also being driven north from the sea, sea salt can contribute to the mix of industrial pollutants.

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.

","february-20-2026-incheon-among-top-10-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world","gid://shopify/Article/1000569667958","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/february-20-2026-incheon-among-top-10-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world","2026-02-20T17:11:21Z",[398,651],"February 20, 2026: Incheon among top 10 most polluted cities in the world",{"_10":1421,"_252":-5,"_255":1422,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412805857654","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/IncheonDesktop_4632d465-2c87-477b-bc23-1facdd8ffd7b.jpg?v=1771607941",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1424,"_1144":1425,"_1160":1426,"_1162":1427,"_1164":1428,"_1166":1429,"_1003":1430,"_10":1431,"_1170":1432,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1433,"_590":1434,"_554":1435,"_1178":1436},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Find out more about the Ranger Road Fire burning in the Oklahoma Panhandle and southern Kansas, including affected communities and evacuation updates.","

Find out more about the Ranger Road Fire burning in the Oklahoma Panhandle and southern Kansas, including affected communities and evacuation updates.

","What is the name and location of the wildfire? As of February 20, 2026, the Ranger Road Fire originated in Beaver County in the Oklahoma Panhandle and has since spread north into southern Kansas, impacting areas in Clark and Meade counties. The fire has crossed the Oklahoma and Kansas state line, burned near the Cimarron River, and affected communities along Highway 64, Highway 270, and Highway 283. The blaze has been moving rapidly east-northeast under strong wind conditions (1). Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire? The cities and areas affected by the Ranger Road Fire include: Ashland, Kansas Beaver, Oklahoma Coldwater, Kansas Englewood, Kansas Forgan, Oklahoma Knowles, Oklahoma Meade, Kansas Minneola, Kansas Mooreland, Oklahoma Woodward, Oklahoma What is the current containment status of the wildfire? As of February 20, 2026, the Ranger Road Fire is 20% contained. Fire officials report extreme rates of spread driven by gusts exceeding 65 mph, limiting aerial firefighting operations and complicating suppression efforts. Multiple local fire departments, state agencies, and emergency management teams are actively engaged in response operations across impacted areas (2). Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for Ashland, Englewood, and surrounding rural areas after the fire crossed Highway 283 and advanced toward residential communities. Residents in parts of Clark and Comanche counties in Kansas have been directed to evacuate immediately under Level 3 Go orders. Evacuees have been instructed to head east toward Coldwater, Kansas, where a shelter has been established at the South Central Schools USD 300 Gymnasium located at 600 Garfield Street. Additional evacuation orders were issued in Woodward, Oklahoma, including areas south of Oklahoma Avenue and west of 22nd Street, with shelters opened at the Mooreland Community Center, Mooreland United Methodist Church, and Vici Community Building. Some evacuation orders in Woodward have since been lifted, though select areas remain under restriction as fire conditions continue to evolve (3). Authorities continue to urge residents not to drive through smoke and to monitor official emergency alerts due to rapidly changing fire behavior and critical fire weather conditions across the region (4). 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 February 20, 2026, this fire is 20% contained.","

What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of February 20, 2026, the Ranger Road Fire originated in Beaver County in the Oklahoma Panhandle and has since spread north into southern Kansas, impacting areas in Clark and Meade counties.

The fire has crossed the Oklahoma and Kansas state line, burned near the Cimarron River, and affected communities along Highway 64, Highway 270, and Highway 283. The blaze has been moving rapidly east-northeast under strong wind conditions (1).

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

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

Ashland, Kansas
Beaver, Oklahoma
\nColdwater, Kansas
Englewood, Kansas
Forgan, Oklahoma
Knowles, Oklahoma
Meade, Kansas
Minneola, Kansas
\nMooreland, Oklahoma
\nWoodward, Oklahoma

What is the current containment status of the wildfire?

As of February 20, 2026, the Ranger Road Fire is 20% contained.

Fire officials report extreme rates of spread driven by gusts exceeding 65 mph, limiting aerial firefighting operations and complicating suppression efforts.

Multiple local fire departments, state agencies, and emergency management teams are actively engaged in response operations across impacted areas (2).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for Ashland, Englewood, and surrounding rural areas after the fire crossed Highway 283 and advanced toward residential communities. Residents in parts of Clark and Comanche counties in Kansas have been directed to evacuate immediately under Level 3 Go orders.

Evacuees have been instructed to head east toward Coldwater, Kansas, where a shelter has been established at the South Central Schools USD 300 Gymnasium located at 600 Garfield Street.

Additional evacuation orders were issued in Woodward, Oklahoma, including areas south of Oklahoma Avenue and west of 22nd Street, with shelters opened at the Mooreland Community Center, Mooreland United Methodist Church, and Vici Community Building. Some evacuation orders in Woodward have since been lifted, though select areas remain under restriction as fire conditions continue to evolve (3).

Authorities continue to urge residents not to drive through smoke and to monitor official emergency alerts due to rapidly changing fire behavior and critical fire weather conditions across the region (4).

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 February 20, 2026, this fire is 20% contained.

","wildfire-map-spotlight-ranger-road-fire-oklahoma-panhandle-and-southern-kansas","gid://shopify/Article/1000544633206","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/wildfire-map-spotlight-ranger-road-fire-oklahoma-panhandle-and-southern-kansas","2026-02-20T14:43:15Z",[398,651,676],"Wildfire Map Spotlight: Ranger Road Fire, Oklahoma Panhandle and Southern Kansas",{"_10":1437,"_252":1438,"_255":1439,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412801728886","Burning forest","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/labor_mountain_Desktop_bd3af584-9f58-4752-99a0-ccf57dd0b019.jpg?v=1771598709",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1441,"_1144":1442,"_1160":1443,"_1162":1444,"_1164":1445,"_1166":1446,"_1003":1447,"_10":1448,"_1170":1449,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1450,"_590":1451,"_554":1452,"_1178":1453},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Learn more about the ongoing volcanic unrest at Mount Kanlaon in the Philippines.","

Learn more about the ongoing volcanic unrest at Mount Kanlaon in the Philippines.

","What is the name and location of the volcano? As of February 20, 2026, Mount Kanlaon experienced a moderately explosive eruption that sent ash and gas over Negros Island, prompting heightened monitoring and public safety advisories. The volcano, located on Negros Island in the central Philippines, spans the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental and sits near key landmarks such as the Kanlaon Natural Park (1). As one of the highest peaks in the Visayas, it is surrounded by several towns and cities situated along its slopes, all within proximity to the four kilometer permanent danger zone maintained for public safety (2). Which cities or areas are affected by the volcano? Barangay Ma-ao Canlaon City Guimaras La Castellana Negros Occidental Negros Oriental Panay What is the current containment status of the volcano? As of February 20, 2026, volcanic activity at Mount Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2, indicating moderate unrest and the possibility of sudden hazardous eruptions. The volcano is not considered contained, as seismic activity, gas emissions, ground deformation, and intermittent ash plumes continue to be recorded. Authorities maintain close monitoring but note that the volcano remains restless, with no stabilization reported in ongoing assessments (3). Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? Evacuation alerts remain active around the four kilometer permanent danger zone, where entry is strictly prohibited. Residents in high risk areas, particularly in Canlaon City and La Castellana, have been relocated to evacuation centers following the recent eruptive events (4). Authorities have issued safety advisories for ashfall, air quality, and potential pyroclastic activity, with local government units instructed to prepare for further evacuations if activity intensifies (5). 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 February 20, 2026, Mount Kanlaon experienced a moderately explosive eruption that sent ash and gas over Negros Island, prompting heightened monitoring and public safety advisories.

The volcano, located on Negros Island in the central Philippines, spans the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental and sits near key landmarks such as the Kanlaon Natural Park (1).

As one of the highest peaks in the Visayas, it is surrounded by several towns and cities situated along its slopes, all within proximity to the four kilometer permanent danger zone maintained for public safety (2).

Which cities or areas are affected by the volcano?

Barangay Ma-ao
Canlaon City
Guimaras
La Castellana
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Panay

What is the current containment status of the volcano?

As of February 20, 2026, volcanic activity at Mount Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2, indicating moderate unrest and the possibility of sudden hazardous eruptions.

The volcano is not considered contained, as seismic activity, gas emissions, ground deformation, and intermittent ash plumes continue to be recorded. Authorities maintain close monitoring but note that the volcano remains restless, with no stabilization reported in ongoing assessments (3).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Evacuation alerts remain active around the four kilometer permanent danger zone, where entry is strictly prohibited.

Residents in high risk areas, particularly in Canlaon City and La Castellana, have been relocated to evacuation centers following the recent eruptive events (4).

Authorities have issued safety advisories for ashfall, air quality, and potential pyroclastic activity, with local government units instructed to prepare for further evacuations if activity intensifies (5).

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-mount-kanlaon-philippines","gid://shopify/Article/1000568553846","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/volcanic-eruption-map-spotlight-mount-kanlaon-philippines","2026-02-20T14:09:39Z",[398],"Volcanic Eruption Map Spotlight: Mount Kanlaon, Philippines",{"_10":1454,"_252":1455,"_255":1456,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412800647542","Dark black smoke from a volcano","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Indo-Volcano_Desk_71768c76-892b-4c27-aaef-2602d641ab27.jpg?v=1771597706",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1458,"_1144":1459,"_1160":1460,"_1162":1461,"_1164":1462,"_1166":1463,"_1003":1464,"_10":1465,"_1170":1466,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1467,"_590":1468,"_554":1469,"_1178":1470},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"China grapples with poor air pollution, affecting major cities and public health. Learn more about the impacted regions, underlying causes, and expected improvements.","

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

","Is the air quality good in China? As of February 19, 2026, air quality in China remains poor, with major cities experiencing air quality in the \"unhealthy\" to \"very unhealthy\" range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly. By 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings above 200, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors. While conditions remain poor, China’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 31 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 90, classified as \"moderate\". This level is nearly 6.2 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing China among the world’s 25 most polluted countries in 2024. Air quality map of China and neighboring countries as of 9:00 PM (PST) on February 19, 2026. Source: IQAir. Which cities are affected by bad air quality in China? As of February 19, 2026, several major cities across China are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include: Baoding Beijing Chengdu Chongqing Fuxin Jinzhou Karamay Kashgar Ordos City Qingdao Shihezi Shuozhou Tangshan Tianjin Wuhan Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see China's air quality map. Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Beijing and Shenzhen, ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of 9:00 PM (PST) on February 19, 2026, according to IQAir. When will the air quality improve in China? Short-term improvements in air quality depend on favorable weather, as winds and rainfall can disperse pollutants within days. However, stagnant conditions and winter temperature inversions often trap smog from October through February, prolonging poor air quality. Long-term relief will require stricter emission controls, cleaner energy adoption, and effective seasonal policies to prevent recurring winter pollution episodes. What is causing poor air quality in China? Winter air pollution in China mainly stems from increased emissions during the heating season and unfavorable weather conditions. Coal- and biomass-fired residential heating in northern regions release large amounts of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) (1). Industrial sectors such as power plants, steel, cement, and chemical facilities contribute additional pollutants, while open biomass and straw burning in rural areas further worsen air quality (2). During winter, temperature inversions, shallow boundary layers, weak winds, and high humidity trap pollutants close to the ground and enhance secondary aerosol formation from SO₂, NOₓ, NH₃, and VOCs (3). Despite progress through clean-air policies, inconsistent enforcement and industrial relocation continue to pose challenges. Consequently, winter haze results from a combination of emissions, atmospheric chemistry, and regional transport (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 China?

As of February 19, 2026, air quality in China remains poor, with major cities experiencing air quality in the \"unhealthy\" to \"very unhealthy\" range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.

By 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings above 200, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.

While conditions remain poor, China’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 31 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 90, classified as \"moderate\". This level is nearly 6.2 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing China among the world’s 25 most polluted countries in 2024.

$\"\"$ Air quality map of China and neighboring countries as of 9:00 PM (PST) on February 19, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Which cities are affected by bad air quality in China?

As of February 19, 2026, several major cities across China are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include:

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

$\"\"$ Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Beijing and Shenzhen, ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of 9:00 PM (PST) on February 19, 2026, according to IQAir.

When will the air quality improve in China?

Short-term improvements in air quality depend on favorable weather, as winds and rainfall can disperse pollutants within days. However, stagnant conditions and winter temperature inversions often trap smog from October through February, prolonging poor air quality.

Long-term relief will require stricter emission controls, cleaner energy adoption, and effective seasonal policies to prevent recurring winter pollution episodes.

What is causing poor air quality in China?

Winter air pollution in China mainly stems from increased emissions during the heating season and unfavorable weather conditions. Coal- and biomass-fired residential heating in northern regions release large amounts of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) (1). Industrial sectors such as power plants, steel, cement, and chemical facilities contribute additional pollutants, while open biomass and straw burning in rural areas further worsen air quality (2).

During winter, temperature inversions, shallow boundary layers, weak winds, and high humidity trap pollutants close to the ground and enhance secondary aerosol formation from SO₂, NOₓ, NH₃, and VOCs (3). Despite progress through clean-air policies, inconsistent enforcement and industrial relocation continue to pose challenges. Consequently, winter haze results from a combination of emissions, atmospheric chemistry, and regional transport (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.

","china-air-quality-alert","gid://shopify/Article/999656948086","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/china-air-quality-alert","2026-02-20T05:16:03Z",[398,651],"China Air Quality Alert",{"_10":1471,"_252":-5,"_255":1472,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412789571958","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/BeijingDesktop_b18a30b9-f799-4acf-855f-33907a6c984a.jpg?v=1771564636",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1474,"_1144":1475,"_1160":1476,"_1162":1477,"_1164":1478,"_1166":1479,"_1003":1480,"_10":1481,"_1170":1482,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1483,"_590":1484,"_554":1485,"_1178":1486},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Wroclaw is currently ranked as one of the most polluted cities globally with an AQI above 150. Learn what this means and what’s driving the poor air quality today.","

Wroclaw is currently ranked as one of the most polluted cities globally with an AQI above 150. Learn what this means and what’s driving the poor air quality today.

","Is the air quality good in Wroclaw? As of February 19, 2026, at 12:30 AM Pacific Time (PT), Wroclaw, Poland is experiencing poor air quality due to regional emissions and stagnant weather. The AQI is over 150, classified as \"unhealthy,\" with PM2.5 concentrations dominating. These conditions may increase the risk of respiratory issues, worsen heart problems, and impair lung function, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with underlying health conditions. To stay safe during this temporary spike, limit outdoor time, seal windows, wear masks if venturing out, and use air purifiers indoors. Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time view of current pollution levels, see Wroclaw's air quality map. While the air quality conditions today are unusually poor, with PM2.5 at 65.7 µg/m³ (13.14 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³), it is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Wroclaw was 14.3 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 54, which falls into the moderate category and was 2.86 times the WHO annual guideline. Wroclaw, Poland, ranked as the 6th most polluted major city globally, as of February 19, 2026, at 12:30 AM (PT). Source: IQAir. When will the air quality improve in Wroclaw? The hourly forecast suggests that air quality is projected to improve gradually over the next few hours, with AQI potentially dipping into the moderate range as winds pick up and disperse pollutants. Hourly air quality forecast for Wroclaw, Poland, as of February 19, 2026, at 12:30 AM (PT). Source: IQAir. The daily forecast suggests that air quality in Wroclaw generally remains in the “good” to “moderate,” range, but for today, it has spiked to the “unhealthy,” range. Daily air quality trends for Wroclaw, Poland, over the past 30 days. Source: IQAir. Air quality map of Wroclaw, Poland, as of February 19, 2026, at 12:30 AM (PT). Source: IQAir. What is causing poor air quality in Wroclaw? Wroclaw’s pollution is driven by multiple factors. Residential heating systems that use coal, wood, or solid fuels contribute large amounts of fine particulate pollution, especially when temperatures drop and demand for heating rises. Road traffic emissions from cars and older vehicles add nitrogen oxides and particulates to the urban air. Winter weather often creates stable atmospheric layers that trap these emissions near the ground, worsening smog conditions (1). 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 Wroclaw?

As of February 19, 2026, at 12:30 AM Pacific Time (PT), Wroclaw, Poland is experiencing poor air quality due to regional emissions and stagnant weather. The AQI is over 150, classified as \"unhealthy,\" with PM2.5 concentrations dominating.

These conditions may increase the risk of respiratory issues, worsen heart problems, and impair lung function, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with underlying health conditions.

To stay safe during this temporary spike, limit outdoor time, seal windows, wear masks if venturing out, and use air purifiers indoors.

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

While the air quality conditions today are unusually poor, with PM2.5 at 65.7 µg/m³ (13.14 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³), it is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Wroclaw was 14.3 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 54, which falls into the moderate category and was 2.86 times the WHO annual guideline.

$\"\"$ Wroclaw, Poland, ranked as the 6th most polluted major city globally, as of February 19, 2026, at 12:30 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.

When will the air quality improve in Wroclaw?

The hourly forecast suggests that air quality is projected to improve gradually over the next few hours, with AQI potentially dipping into the moderate range as winds pick up and disperse pollutants.

$\"\"$ Hourly air quality forecast for Wroclaw, Poland, as of February 19, 2026, at 12:30 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.

The daily forecast suggests that air quality in Wroclaw generally remains in the “good” to “moderate,” range, but for today, it has spiked to the “unhealthy,” range.

$\"\"$ Daily air quality trends for Wroclaw, Poland, over the past 30 days. Source: IQAir.

$\"\"$ Air quality map of Wroclaw, Poland, as of February 19, 2026, at 12:30 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.

What is causing poor air quality in Wroclaw?

Wroclaw’s pollution is driven by multiple factors. Residential heating systems that use coal, wood, or solid fuels contribute large amounts of fine particulate pollution, especially when temperatures drop and demand for heating rises.

Road traffic emissions from cars and older vehicles add nitrogen oxides and particulates to the urban air. Winter weather often creates stable atmospheric layers that trap these emissions near the ground, worsening smog conditions (1).

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.

","february-19-2026-wroclaw-among-the-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world","gid://shopify/Article/1000549253494","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/february-19-2026-wroclaw-among-the-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world","2026-02-19T08:57:44Z",[398,651],"February 19, 2026: Wroclaw among the most polluted cities in the world",{"_10":1487,"_252":-5,"_255":1488,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412755788150","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/WroclawDesktop_2b846edf-836a-4eb6-a2ba-0ed7ac1de46b.jpg?v=1771491691",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1490,"_1144":1491,"_1160":1492,"_1162":1493,"_1164":1494,"_1166":1495,"_1003":1496,"_10":1497,"_1170":1498,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1499,"_590":1500,"_554":1502,"_1178":1503},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Flooding continues across western France as rivers rise, one person is missing, and four departments remain on red alert. Learn more about affected areas, response status and warnings.","

Flooding continues across western France as rivers rise, one person is missing, and four departments remain on red alert. Learn more about affected areas, response status and warnings.

","What is the location of the flooding? As of February 18, 2026, heavy rainfall and successive storm systems have intensified flooding across western and central France, particularly along the Loire River basin. Persistent rain has swollen rivers and saturated ground in regions including Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, and parts of western France, with additional rainfall from Storm Pedro worsening already fragile conditions (1). Authorities report record rainfall in some areas, with river levels rising rapidly and floodwaters spreading into low-lying communities. Which cities or areas are affected by the flooding? Flood impacts remain concentrated in western and central regions, including: Centre-Val de Loire Loire River basin communities Pays de la Loire Western departments bordering the Atlantic coast Several rivers, including stretches of the Loire, have overflowed, inundating residential neighborhoods, farmland, and transport routes (2). Local infrastructure disruptions include submerged roads and restricted rail traffic in affected zones. What is the current containment status of the flooding? Containment efforts are ongoing as emergency crews monitor rising rivers and conduct rescue operations. Authorities confirmed that one man was swept away by floodwaters in the Loire region and remains missing, as search operations continue (3). Floodwaters remain high in multiple river systems, and additional rainfall linked to Storm Pedro is complicating recovery efforts. Emergency services have reinforced embankments and deployed rescue teams to high-risk areas as conditions remain unstable. Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? As of February 18, four French departments remain on red flood alert, with additional areas under orange warnings as Storm Pedro brings renewed rainfall. Residents in vulnerable river communities have been advised to avoid travel, stay clear of swollen waterways, and follow civil protection guidance (4). Authorities continue to monitor river levels closely and warn that further flooding remains possible if rainfall persists. How can I protect myself from mold after flooding? It’s important to take steps to prevent mold after a flood. Before entering a flooded area, make sure it is safe and free from electrical hazards or structural damage. Use protective gear: wear gloves, goggles, and a KN95/FFP2 mask to minimize exposure to mold spores. If there is still standing water, remove it as quickly as possible. Use pumps, wet-dry vacuums, or buckets to extract the water. Open windows and doors to facilitate air circulation and use fans, dehumidifiers, and HVAC systems to help dry the space. This step is crucial within the first 24-48 hours after flooding to prevent mold growth. Remove and discard any items that have been severely damaged by floodwater and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. This includes carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and any other porous materials. Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with a detergent or cleaner suitable for mold remediation. Use a solution of 1.5 cups of bleach mixed with one gallon of water to disinfect nonporous surfaces. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products, as the fumes are toxic. Maintain an indoor relative humidity (RH) of 35-50%. High humidity promotes mold growth, so consider using dehumidifiers in damp areas. Run a high-performance air purifier for mold, both during and after the mold removal work. If the flooding and mold damage are extensive, consider contacting professionals specializing in mold remediation to ensure proper cleanup and restoration. Remember, mold can pose health risks, so it's important to take these steps promptly and thoroughly. If you experience persistent mold-related health issues or have concerns about extensive mold growth, consult with a medical professional or a mold remediation specialist.","

What is the location of the flooding?

As of February 18, 2026, heavy rainfall and successive storm systems have intensified flooding across western and central France, particularly along the Loire River basin.

Persistent rain has swollen rivers and saturated ground in regions including Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, and parts of western France, with additional rainfall from Storm Pedro worsening already fragile conditions (1).

Authorities report record rainfall in some areas, with river levels rising rapidly and floodwaters spreading into low-lying communities.

Which cities or areas are affected by the flooding?

Flood impacts remain concentrated in western and central regions, including:

Centre-Val de Loire
Loire River basin communities
\nPays de la Loire
\n
Western departments bordering the Atlantic coast
\n

Several rivers, including stretches of the Loire, have overflowed, inundating residential neighborhoods, farmland, and transport routes (2). Local infrastructure disruptions include submerged roads and restricted rail traffic in affected zones.

What is the current containment status of the flooding?

Containment efforts are ongoing as emergency crews monitor rising rivers and conduct rescue operations. Authorities confirmed that one man was swept away by floodwaters in the Loire region and remains missing, as search operations continue (3).

Floodwaters remain high in multiple river systems, and additional rainfall linked to Storm Pedro is complicating recovery efforts. Emergency services have reinforced embankments and deployed rescue teams to high-risk areas as conditions remain unstable.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

As of February 18, four French departments remain on red flood alert, with additional areas under orange warnings as Storm Pedro brings renewed rainfall.

Residents in vulnerable river communities have been advised to avoid travel, stay clear of swollen waterways, and follow civil protection guidance (4).

Authorities continue to monitor river levels closely and warn that further flooding remains possible if rainfall persists.

How can I protect myself from mold after flooding?

It’s important to take steps to prevent mold after a flood.

Before entering a flooded area, make sure it is safe and free from electrical hazards or structural damage.
Use protective gear: wear gloves, goggles, and a KN95/FFP2 mask to minimize exposure to mold spores.
If there is still standing water, remove it as quickly as possible. Use pumps, wet-dry vacuums, or buckets to extract the water.
Open windows and doors to facilitate air circulation and use fans, dehumidifiers, and HVAC systems to help dry the space. This step is crucial within the first 24-48 hours after flooding to prevent mold growth.
Remove and discard any items that have been severely damaged by floodwater and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. This includes carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and any other porous materials.
Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with a detergent or cleaner suitable for mold remediation. Use a solution of 1.5 cups of bleach mixed with one gallon of water to disinfect nonporous surfaces. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products, as the fumes are toxic.
Maintain an indoor relative humidity (RH) of 35-50%. High humidity promotes mold growth, so consider using dehumidifiers in damp areas.
\nRun a high-performance air purifier for mold, both during and after the mold removal work.
If the flooding and mold damage are extensive, consider contacting professionals specializing in mold remediation to ensure proper cleanup and restoration.

Remember, mold can pose health risks, so it's important to take these steps promptly and thoroughly. If you experience persistent mold-related health issues or have concerns about extensive mold growth, consult with a medical professional or a mold remediation specialist.

","indoor-air-quality-alert-france-flooding","gid://shopify/Article/1000527888758","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/indoor-air-quality-alert-france-flooding","2026-02-19T07:32:23Z",[398,651,1501],"Molds","Indoor Air Quality Alert: France Flooding",{"_10":1504,"_252":-5,"_255":1505,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412753985910","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/SD_Flood_Desktop_2b9135ac-82d6-4b51-8630-3326662aacdd.jpg?v=1771486348","popular",[1508,1525,1541,1557],{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1509,"_1144":1510,"_1160":1511,"_1162":1511,"_1164":1512,"_1166":1513,"_1003":1514,"_10":1515,"_1170":1516,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1517,"_590":1518,"_554":1520,"_1178":1521},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"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:

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water vapor
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particulate matter
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trace minerals
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carbon dioxide
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carbon monoxide
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nitrogen oxides
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hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide compounds that contribute to elevated ozone (O₃) levels
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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:

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the types of wood and vegetation burning
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the moisture content
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the fire temperature
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wind conditions
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other weather-related influences
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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.

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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

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Young children. Children whose lungs are still developing are considered more vulnerable, regardless of whether they have a pre-existing condition.
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Pregnant women. Wildfire smoke inhalation puts pregnant women and their unborn children at a higher risk than the general population.
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Older adults. This population is at-risk due to an increased rate of pre-existing heart and lung disease.
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Anyone with a respiratory disease. Individuals with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD, asthma, or another respiratory disease are at-risk.
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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:

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

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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.
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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.
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Wear a mask outdoors. Only use an air pollution mask with an N95, KN95, N100, or FFP2 rating to help.
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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.
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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.
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Use an air quality monitoring app to keep track of pollutants in your environment. The AirVisual app displays real-time hyperlocal data from over 80,000 sensors around the world. The app also tracks up to six key wildfire pollutants, such as PM2.5, CO₂, and NO₂, so that you have the best picture of your local air quality during a wildfire and can take action to help protect your health.
\n

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

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

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

The takeaway

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

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

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

","how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke","gid://shopify/Article/606869291307","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke","2025-07-01T20:46:00Z",[398,651,1519,676],"Popular articles","How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke",{"_10":1522,"_252":1523,"_255":1524,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406601138550","Wildfire at night in hills","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_21_WildfireDesktop_a_790d6d55-874f-4c95-bff8-11655661a476.jpg?v=1752702197",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1526,"_1144":1527,"_1160":1528,"_1162":1528,"_1164":1529,"_1166":1530,"_1003":1531,"_10":1532,"_1170":1533,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1534,"_590":1535,"_554":1536,"_1178":1537},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"How can you know what air purifier manufacturers to trust? Let's look more critically at air purification.","The home air purifier market has undergone many shifts and starts in its decades-long history as an affordable solution for indoor air quality. Along with those shifts have been seemingly ground breaking advancements in filtration technologies that may seem like the next revolution in air purification. But not all air purifiers safely clean the air. Not all air purifiers safely clean the air. Let's take an evidence-based approach to the industry and separate the fact from the fiction. What should I look for in an air purifier? Before we examine the various air purifiers on the market with a critical eye, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of what does make a good air purifier. 1. HEPA filters are the standard for the industry. What is a HEPA filter? High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture airborne particles from moving air using a dense, random arrangement of fibers. HEPA filters use the physics of particles moving through air to yank them out of the air flow. Their operation is simple but extremely effective, and HEPA filters are now standard issue for almost every air purifier on the market. But it wasn’t always that way. Air purifiers have been around for well over a century. The first air purification systems appeared in the 1850s in charcoal-based masks used by coal miners. They were designed to keep toxic dust out of their lungs. The technology was so successful that, less than twenty years later, respirators were added to these types of masks to protect firefighters from breathing in smoke chemicals and pollutants (1). Beginning in the 1940s, the United States Atomic Energy Commission started experimenting with high-efficiency particulate arrestance, better known now as HEPA, as a method of shielding soldiers from atomic radiation on World War II battlefields (2). HEPA filters did nothing to filter radiation particles, but researchers quickly learned that HEPA filters could filter out many harmful pollutants. In 1963, Manfred and Klaus Hammes, the founders of IQAir, introduced the world’s first residential air filter based on HEPA technology, helping reduce indoor pollution as well as chronic asthma symptoms. Not long after, HEPA became so widespread that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) required that all filters sold under the name “HEPA” must filter at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns (3). Since then, HEPA air purification has become the standard for the air purification industry. HEPA is now thrown around as a generic term for air filters, but HEPA filters continue to filter 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. The HyperHEPA filter builds upon the HEPA model to create even more efficient filtration systems. Many manufacturers, including IQAir, have built upon the HEPA model to create even more efficient filtration systems. IQAir’s patented HyperHEPAfilter is one such filter. HyperHEPA filters remove 99.5% of particles down to 0.003 microns, which are 100 times smaller than the DOE’s required 0.3-micron particle size. 2. Not all air purifier designs are created equal. All air purifier manufacturers know that their filters need to live up to this HEPA standard. But long-standing, strict guidelines around air filters can provide a false sense of security in HEPA. To advertise an air purifier as HEPA, it only needs to contain HEPA paper, the paper used to construct a HEPA filter. Whether the air purifier’s Total System Efficiency meets HEPA requirements is another story. In fact, most HEPA air purifiers are not tested for total efficiency (4). The hidden factor at work here is leakage. Despite the high efficiency of many HEPA filters, the housing designs of many air purifiers are not airtight. This means that dirty, unfiltered air passes around the HEPA filter through tiny openings, cracks, and space around the frame of the HEPA filter itself or between the frame and the purifier housing (5). So even though many air purifiers claim that their HEPA filters remove nearly 100% of particles from the air that passes through them, they’re only telling part of the story. In some cases, the actual efficiency of the whole air purifier design, with leakage considered, is closer to 80% or less (6). Even though many air purifiers claim that their HEPA filters remove nearly 100% of particles from the air that passes through them, the actual efficiency of the whole air purifier design, with leakage considered, is closer to 80% or less. Some air purifier manufacturers have resolved this issue with designs that are built to minimize or eliminate leakage. IQAir uses patented 3D UltraSeal knife-edge-in-groove sealing between the filter frame and the purifier housing to guarantee the full efficiency of our HyperHEPA filtration media. 3. Concerned about gas and odors? Go beyond HEPA. While HyperHEPA filters are great at getting particles out of the air, they do NOT take gases and odors out of the air. Unlike particles, the molecules that comprise gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not solid and will float through even the densest HyperHEPA filters. That’s where activated carbon filters come in. How do these filters work? It’s simpler than you might think: Chunks of carbon material (like charcoal) are exposed to high concentrations of oxygen. Countless pores open on the carbon surface, increasing the carbon surface area enormously. At this point, a pound of activated carbon can have the same surface area as 100 football fields. Several pounds of activated carbon are arranged in a flat “bed” and packaged in a proprietary filter design (such as IQAir’s V5 Cell gas and odor control filter). Air passes through the activated carbon bed. Gas, chemical, and VOC molecules are adsorbed into the carbon pores, meaning that they chemically bond to the extensive charcoal surface area. Activated carbon adsorption is the go-to method of filtration for gases as well as chemical pollutants from vehicle emissions and combustion processes (7)(8). Activated carbon adsorption is the go-to method of filtration for gases as well as chemical pollutants from vehicle emissions and combustion processes. Some air purifiers are designed to maximize activated carbon in case you’re more concerned about, for example, gases from cooking or odors from pets than about particle pollution in your home. IQAir’s GC MultiGas is built for such a purpose—while carbon filters generally use a few pounds of carbon, the GC MultiGas contains 12 pounds of activated carbon as well as impregnated alumina, providing well over 1200 football fields worth of surface area for gas and VOC molecules to adsorb to. The takeaway Now you know that the elements of a good air purifier are: HyperHEPA media for particle filtration No system leakage due to sealed filter and purifier housing Activated carbon for gas and odor filtration But we're not done yet. Just as important to know is what not to look for in an air purifier. What should I avoid in an air purifier? When considering air purifiers, some people wonder about their effectiveness and even potential risks. Question often arise, such as \"Do air purifiers work?\" or \"Are air purifiers effective?\" The answer is that while some air cleaning methods can remove particles and pollutants from the air, their capabilities are often limited. But it's not just about effectiveness. People also ask, \"Are air purifiers bad for you?\" This concern arises from potential hidden costs to your health. It's important to be aware of inefficiencies and any potential risks associated with the air purifier you're considering before making a purchase. So, if you're in the market for an air purifier, remember to ask yourself whether it will be effective at removing pollutants and particles from the air, and whether it poses any risks to your health. Ionizer air purifiers Ionizers are purported to purify air by sending out negatively charged ions (anions) that attract positively charged pollution particles (cations), causing them to leave the air and stick to surfaces like ceilings, walls, and furniture. Many popular air purifiers use ionization technology, also called negative ionization, as a central component of their operation. Research suggests that ionizers can help stop potentially infectious molds and bacteria from spreading in sterile environments like dental clinics and hospitals (9)(10). But there are two critical downsides to ionization (11)(12): Ionizer air purifiersdon’t get rid of pollutants. Particles charged by negative ions aren’t removed from the air—they merely stick to surfaces nearby. This includes surfaces inside your airways, such as your windpipe and alveoli, the sacs of air in your lungs. Pollutant build-up can cause heart, lung, and other respiratory conditions. Ionizer air purifierscan generate harmful ozone. Ionizers produce ozone (O3) that can build up to dangerous levels indoors. At even low levels, indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb (the organ that helps your brain process odors), and even be fatal at high concentrations. Indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb, and even be fatal at high concentrations. Verdict Don't buy an ionizer air purifier.They don’t remove particles from the air, and the ozone they produce can have harmful side effects, even if the purifier claims that they only charge the particles “a little bit.” Ozone Generators It’s worth saying again: ozone is TERRIBLE for you, especially indoor ozone build-up. The health concerns are serious enough that in 2017, California banned the use of ozonehome air purifiers (13). Ozone generators use a process called corona discharge to release ozone molecules into the air. When an ozone molecule intermingles with a particle or gas molecule, an ozone atom clings to the other molecule and blows it up in a process known as oxidation. Oxidation in the atmosphere after a lightning strike is also what makes the air smell so distinct after a thunderstorm. However, ozone generators do little to clean air and are quite bad for you. Here’s just a short (and far from complete) list of reasons why (14)(15)(16)(17)(18): Ozone can take years to fully clear even a small room of gases. Ozone reactions can introduce ultrafine particles (UFPs) into the air.UFPs can get into your lungs and your bloodstream, causing heart disease and even stunting lung development in children. Indoor ozone levels can rise five to ten times above recommended limits,which range from 0.05 to 0.1 parts per million (ppm), because of a lack of ventilation and in combination with outdoor ozone that seeps indoors.To put this in perspective, those who are sensitive to ozone, such as children, people with asthma, and pets, start experiencing health effects at only 0.01 ppm. Even a “safe” ozone generator that emits a small amount of ozone can quickly trigger potentially life-threatening ailments like asthma attacks. Verdict Don’t buy an ozone generator. They’re NOT air purifiers. Not only do they fail to clean your air, they hurt you and the most vulnerable in your home: your children and your pets. UV Light Purifiers Ultraviolet (UV) light is often used to disinfect equipment in hospitals and prevent the spread of harmful strains of bacteria and viruses (19)(20). One of the most common UV purification methods is called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, or UVGI. In UVGI, intense UV lights are shined on bacteria and viruses, damaging their DNA beyond repair. Bacterial cells and viruses then shut themselves down because they can no longer function. This is called apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which effectively destroys their ability to cause infections (21). But UV air purification isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s why(22) (23) (24) (25) (26): Bacteria and viruses need to be exposed to UV light for a certain amount of timebefore they’re rendered harmless: some strains need to be treated with UV for several hours in direct UV light before they’re destroyed.Home UV air purifiers don’t shine UV light on them long enough to be genuinely useful. Some bacteria can come back to life and become infectious again even after being disinfected by UV light. UV lights do nothing for pollutant particles.Air treated with UV light can still be full of harmful particulate matter, like PM10 and PM2.5. Many UV air purifiers produce ozone. UV light can burn your skin and damage your eyes. Sure, most UV purifiers block the light from shining out of the purifier, but even brief UV exposure can cause permanent skin and eye damage as well as cancer. Air treated with UV light can still be full of harmful particulate matter. Verdict Don’t buy a UV light air purifier. UV light somewhat disinfects but doesn’t purify air, and research shows that UV’s disinfection potential for air may be exaggerated. What do I do now? At this point, you should feel like you have a good sense of what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to a truly effective air purification system. So, what should you do now, armed with your knowledge of what makes a good air purifier? You have a multitude of options for maximizing your indoor air quality: Get a HyperHEPA air purifier. Patented HyperHEPA filtration technology removes 99.5% of pollutant particles down to 0.003 microns, the smallest particles in existence. Use advanced gas-phase filtration. Patented V5 Cell gas and odor control filters, used in HealthPro Series air purifiers, eliminateharmful chemicals and compounds with five pounds of activated carbon. The GC MultiGas features 12 pounds of activated carbon and impregnated alumina to help protect you against indoor gases and chemicals, in addition to our powerful HyperHEPA particle filtration. Use a personal air purifier. Atem Series personal air purifiers are equipped with HyperHEPA filtration technology and a PureJet diffuser that instantly blankets you in clean air. They’re sleek, compact, and portable, allowing you to breathe virtually pure air anytime, anywhere. Install a whole-house air purifier. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at home uses outdoor air to heat and cool your home, so even with an indoor air purifier, your air still might become polluted by outdoor particulates on days with poor air quality. The PerfectPro Series whole-house air purifier is equipped with the most powerful HyperHEPA filters available for a residential air purification systems. It fits seamlessly into your existing HVAC system, ensuring that air entering your home is always up to the highest possible standard of quality. Still not sure? Read about some of the misconceptions that surround air purification technology. Use our Help Me Choose tool to see what air purifier may work best for your indoor air quality needs. The most capable air purification technology is always backed by evidence-based facts and science. When it comes to choosing the best air purifier, science has got your back.","

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

But not all air purifiers safely clean the air.

Not all air purifiers safely clean the air.

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

What should I look for in an air purifier?

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

$\"Air$

1. HEPA filters are the standard for the industry.

What is a HEPA filter?

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

But it wasn’t always that way.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Not all air purifier designs are created equal.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The takeaway

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

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

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

What should I avoid in an air purifier?

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

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

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

Ionizer air purifiers

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

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

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

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

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

Verdict

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

Ozone Generators

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

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

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

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

Verdict

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

UV Light Purifiers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Verdict

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

What do I do now?

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

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

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

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

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

","do-air-purifiers-work-air-purifier-myths-and-facts-debunked","gid://shopify/Article/606869193003","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/do-air-purifiers-work-air-purifier-myths-and-facts-debunked","2022-01-02T14:14:32Z",[1327,666,1519],"Do air purifiers work? Air purifier myths and facts debunked",{"_10":1538,"_252":1539,"_255":1540,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/408358224246","Close-up of what appears to be a room air purifier with some plants in the background (another indoor air purifying tool that has been shown to be ineffective in improving indoor air quality).","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_misconceptions-about-air-purifiers_5058ed72-2e8d-4b0f-9570-93510f9f1f89.jpg?v=1758212336",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1542,"_1144":1543,"_1160":1544,"_1162":1544,"_1164":1545,"_1166":1546,"_1003":1547,"_10":1548,"_1170":1549,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1550,"_590":1551,"_554":1552,"_1178":1553},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"They look great on your nightstand, but are they worth their salt as air purifiers? Learn more.","Himalayan salt lamps DO NOT purify indoor air.These trendy little lamps consist of a light bulb placed inside a chunk of pink Himalayan salt. They’re easily recognized by their hand-carved, often stylized shapes and dim, pinkish glow they emit when light shines through them.They’ve been gaining popularity for years, mostly because their distinct color and unique appearance make them attractive objects for interior decoration, and their glow can add a pleasing atmosphere to a room.But their recent rise in popularity as “natural” air purifiers should trouble you.A host of (often misleading) studies supporting the use of salt in treating respiratory conditions have escalated demand for these little pink things, especially within the well-primed alternative medicine market, full of people who may already be seeking home remedies for all sorts of health conditions and indoor environmental issues when modern medicine hasn’t seemed to help.And you shouldn’t buy a Himalayan salt lamp to purify your air for one major reason: they’re negative ionizers, and negative ionization is one of the most absurd air purification myths ever devised.Why are Himalayan salt lamps bad for air quality?Again, two words: negative ionization.If you ever hear the words “ionization” (in one form or another) and “air purification” in the same sentence, you should run in the opposite direction.In the context of air purification, negative ionization happens when negatively charged particles attach themselves, or “charge,” pollutant particles in the air, effectively removing them from ambient air by causing them to stick to nearby surfaces.This phenomenon also occurs in nature – know that distinct smell in the air after a thunderstorm? That’s the result of “atmospheric space charge” as air ions are generated by the electric fields of storms.1 Many air purifiers and purification devices sold in stores, including Himalayan salt lamps and a variety of “air ionizers,” artificially produce high voltage to achieve this same effect.The problem with negative ionization, though, is that it doesn’t actually remove pollutants from your indoor air – it just causes the particles to adhere themselves to nearby surfaces, where they’re easily stirred up by indoor activities like dusting, vacuuming, and ventilation.Charged particles can also stick to your respiratory tract, where charged particles can settle in your windpipe and lungs and cause even more harm that if they’d just remained in the air. Studies show that these particles can penetrate deep into your respiratory system and cause both heart and lung conditions.2The average, nightstand-sized Himalayan salt lamp generates only a small number of negative ions into the air, so you may not notice any tangible change in your air quality or health, at least immediately. But these lamps can be huge: you can buy salt lamps that weight up to 300 pounds for thousands of dollars, and their ionization effects may have a more noticeable effect on your air, especially if you live in an airtight, energy-efficient home in which indoor pollutants have a much harder time getting out.And negative ionizers have another dark secret: they can also create indoor ozone (O3).There are two main types of ozone: Stratospheric ozone: Alayer of ozone occurs naturally several miles up in the atmosphere, where it protects the surface of the earth (and people’s skin) from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Tropospheric ozone: Also called ground-level ozone or smog, ground-level ozone tends to develop when heat from sunlight reacts with chemicals near the ground, many of which are produced by emissions from vehicle exhaust and factory smoke. Negative ionization can generate tropospheric ozone indoors. While stratospheric ozone has no interaction with us in the lower atmosphere, ground-level ozone is far more harmful when it builds up to high levels. And perhaps one of the starkest examples of ground-level ozone is one that millions of us know very well – the smog that forms in major cities during rush hour.If you live near a freeway, dense urban center, or even at a high elevation where you can see the area around an urban area. A few hours or less after rush hour begins and the sun begins to rise, you’ll start to notice a visible layer of haze build up. This is ground-level ozone, and even though it’s a typical feature of modern life, extensive research shows that it causes a plethora of immediate symptoms, including: Coughing Wheezing Trouble breathing Stuffy nose Dizziness Tingling in arms and legs Fever3,4 Further research suggests that ozone is also responsible for long-term health problems, such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease. Emerging studies on rats also suggest that ozone could cause seizures and blindness.So even though you may not get rush-hour levels of ozone in your home from a salt lamp, indoor ozone buildup can indeed cause some disruptive health effects if you don’t follow best practices for good Indoor Air Quality.So what’s so special about Himalayan salt?So how did someone come up with the idea that Himalayan salt lamps have any health effects at all?The story stretches back millennia. Truly authentic Himalayan salt comes from the Khewra salt reserves in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Salt mined here is thought to be millions of years old and contain numerous minerals.Salt lamps have been proposed for use in treatments for conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of their purported therapeutic effects on your respiratory system. This treatment even has a clinical term: halotherapy, based on an ages-old respiratory treatment technique known as speleotherapy. First used in Eastern Europe, speleotherapy consists of spending time in a salt cave, where four environmental conditions are thought to help reduce symptoms of respiratory illness:5 Stable air temperature Moderate to high humidity Presence of aerosol elements, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium Lack of airborne pollutants Halotherapy takes the notion that salt cave environments are good for respiratory health by having people inhale small amounts of salt particles that are released into the ambient air of a controlled room to “reproduce” a salt cave’s microclimate. But there’s no conclusive evidence that either speleotherapy or halotherapy actually relieve respiratory symptoms.6Take the claims with a grain of...well, saltSo here’s the takeaway: We’re not saying you shouldn’t get a Himalayan salt lamp. Their dim glow can be quite soothing at night when you’re trying to fall asleep.But they don’t purify air. And “air purifiers” that emits ions and ozone may make your indoor air quality worse, introduce new health problems, and exacerbate existing ones.You can take many precautions to monitorand keep your indoor air clean, but buying a salt lamp isn’t one of them. Try these proven methods instead: Be aware of your indoor air quality. The AirVisual Series consists of portable air quality monitors that use cutting-edge laser technology to give you real-time measurements of key pollutants, including particulate matter. AirVisual Series also provides 72-hour historical and forecast data so that you can know exactly when and why your indoor air quality changes. Control sources of poor indoor air quality. If you’re thinking about buying a salt lamp to purify your air, chances are that you do have air quality issues that you may be able to do something about. The first step to improving your indoor indoor air quality is source control.This means eliminating individual sources of pollution or reducing their emissions. Regularly clean your HVAC system ducts. Install a whole-house air purifier into your HVAC system to reduce indoor pollutants by up to 95%. Replace water-damaged areas of your home to prevent mold and dust mites. Keep paints, solvents, and other chemicals in well-ventilated areas. Ventilate your home. Let in fresh air regularly to lower the concentrations of indoor air pollutants. This is especially important if you live in an airtight, energy-efficient home in which indoor pollutants have nowhere to go and thus build up to dangerous levels. Open doors and windows when outdoor air quality is good. Use a range hood for your stove to capture gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cooking. Use an air purifier with HyperHEPA technology. The IQAir HealthPro Plusis the best air purifier for even the smallest pollutant particles, removing up to 99.5% of particulates down to 0.003 microns, like viruses and ultrafine particles from vehicle exhaust. The Atempersonal air purifier can also provide pure, pollutant-free air directly into your personal breathing zone. Sure, a salt lamp can be a nice accessory and bring some calm into your home. But there’s plenty you can do to actually keep your indoor air clean and bring yourself some peace of mind knowing that your home is a clean air sanctuary.","

Himalayan salt lamps DO NOT purify indoor air.

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

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

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

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

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

Why are Himalayan salt lamps bad for air quality?

Again, two words: negative ionization.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are two main types of ozone:

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

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

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

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

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

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

So what’s so special about Himalayan salt?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

","himalayan-salt-lamp-debunked","gid://shopify/Article/606869356843","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/himalayan-salt-lamp-debunked","2019-06-17T13:49:29Z",[398,666,1519],"Himalayan salt lamps: Worth their salt?",{"_10":1554,"_252":1555,"_255":1556,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406288400758","Why are Himalayan salt lamps bad for air quality?","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_HimalayanSalt_061419_750_ebdb5244-3cb4-49a7-b887-47de5134ba96.jpg?v=1751543557",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1558,"_1144":1559,"_1160":1560,"_1162":1560,"_1164":1561,"_1166":1562,"_1003":1563,"_10":1564,"_1170":1565,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1566,"_590":1567,"_554":1568,"_1178":1569},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Learn more how scented candles release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit — and can harm your health.","Are scented candles bad for you?Burning a scented candle is a popular way to create a pleasant ambiance at home. Scents such aslavender, jasmine, and sandalwood can be relaxing and invigorating. During the holidays, many people find the warm glow and aroma of pine, gingerbread, or cinnamon makes a room feel more festive.Unfortunately, most mass-produced scented candles can have a negative impact on indoor air quality. From the wax to the wick to the fragrance itself, the average scented candle can release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit.From the wax to the wick to the fragrance itself, the average scented candle can release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit.So while you and your family may enjoy the fragrance of scented candles in your home, they may be harmful to your health. Read on to learn why some candles are bad for you.Paraffin waxAre paraffin wax candles safe? In what way can wax be harmful?According to a 2017 study in the International Journal of Tropical Disease and Health, paraffin candles emit pollutants that can threaten human health and shouldn’t be burned in enclosed areas (1).Most candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. To create paraffin wax candles, petroleum waste is chemically bleached, deodorized, and made into wax. When burned, paraffin wax can release toxicvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, including known carcinogens like: alkenes acetone benzene toluene These are the same chemicals found in diesel fuel emissions and are known to cause allergies, asthma attacks, and skin problems.A 2005 study published by the University of South Florida showed that candles made of paraffin wax emit low levels of benzene even when they are not lit (2).Is burning candles bad for you?In addition to releasing toxic chemicals, burning paraffin wax produces soot composed of particulate matter such as, PM2.5 and ultrafine particles that can remain suspended in the air for hours. According to the University of South Florida study, ultrafine soot particles are similar to diesel exhaust in both their size and composition. They penetrate deeply into the lungs and are absorbed into the blood stream (3).A 2000 study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showed that soot emissions from candles are significantly higher after wax breakthrough occurs and when a candle is smoldering (4).Ultrafine particles are associated with severe health issues, including: allergies asthma COPD (5) respiratory tract infections heart attacks strokes cancer So, are candles bad for your health? Not all candles produce the same amount of air pollutants. A 2002 study published in theJournal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society found that soywax, much like beeswax candles, burned at a significantly lower rate and resulted in less soot than paraffin candles (6).Chemical fragrancesAnother problem with scented candles is that the chemicals they use to create a pleasing aroma are generally far from wholesome.Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous VOCs even at room temperature.Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous VOCs even at room temperature. Commonly emitted VOCs related to the scent in candles include (7): formaldehyde petroleum distillates limonene alcohol esters These harmful chemicals can cause health problems, such as: headaches dizziness allergy symptoms asthma attacks respiratory tract infections cancer Cored wicksMany candles have cored wicks made from cotton that are wrapped around a metal support. The design helps keep the wick from falling over into the wax. This is especially useful for scented candles because the fragrance oils soften the wax and allow non-cored wicks to go limp.Are candles toxic? If they have lead in them, possibly. Lead was once commonly used in cored candlewicks — especially in candles imported from overseas. However, after determining that these wicks could present a lead poisoning hazard to young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the manufacture and sale of all candles with lead-core wicks in 2003 (8). Zinc and tin have been used as a substitute since the ban.All metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when they are burned.However, all metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when they are burned. Wicks with zinc and tin cores can still release small amounts of lead particles (9,10).Safer alternativesTo limit soot stains and poor air quality in your home, you should avoid or restrict the use of candles (11).If you still crave the pleasant ambiance and aroma of scented candles, here are safer ways to scent the air: Use essential oils for fragrance.Essential oils can be placed in a diffuser or in bathwater to create a desired aroma. Simmer spices.Place spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water and let it simmer on the stove. Create potpourri.Dried items such as flowers, berries, fruit rinds, wood chips, and spices can be placed in bowls or fabric bags and placed around your home. The takeawayLighting scented candles may seem like a relaxing way to enjoy your home. But burning scented candles releases VOC pollutants and worsens your home’s indoor air quality. Although fragrances from safer alternatives like essential oils can be pleasant, trulyclean air smells like nothing at all.","

Are scented candles bad for you?

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

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

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

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

Paraffin wax

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

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

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

alkenes
acetone
benzene
toluene

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

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

Is burning candles bad for you?

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

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

Ultrafine particles are associated with severe health issues, including:

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

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

Chemical fragrances

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

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

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

formaldehyde
petroleum distillates
limonene
alcohol
esters

These harmful chemicals can cause health problems, such as:

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

Cored wicks

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

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

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

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

Safer alternatives

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

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

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

The takeaway

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

","hidden-dangers-scented-candles","gid://shopify/Article/606869127467","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/hidden-dangers-scented-candles","2016-12-04T22:35:53Z",[666,1519],"The hidden dangers of scented candles",{"_10":1570,"_252":1571,"_255":1572,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/405721284982","Two lit candles","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/49_scented_desktop_RE_3518d342-9492-4308-82e5-ee4111074a17.jpg?v=1749633010","successStories",[1575,1592,1597,1612],{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1576,"_1144":1577,"_1160":1578,"_1162":1579,"_1164":1580,"_1166":1581,"_1003":1582,"_10":1583,"_1170":1584,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1585,"_590":1586,"_554":1587,"_1178":1588},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"Discover how Tedy Mwendwa's air quality monitoring project in Nairobi is bridging critical gaps in Africa's air quality data. Learn more.","

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

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

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

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

Nairobi's leap towards cleaner air

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

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

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

Local expertise, global resources drive innovation

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

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

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

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

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

The challenge of air quality monitoring in Africa

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

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

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

Harnessing technology for a healthier tomorrow

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

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

Cultivating environmental consciousness

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

","revealing-the-invisible-kenya","gid://shopify/Article/607976751403","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-kenya","2025-12-01T04:00:00Z",[661,974],"Revealing the Invisible: Boosting air quality awareness in Kenya",{"_10":1589,"_252":1590,"_255":1591,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411421278582","Nairobi-city-smog","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_Revamp_Kenya_Clean_Air_Desktop_4f1dd00b-baa3-4e27-9eed-3acd42f2faae.jpg?v=1767630558",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1593,"_1144":1594,"_1160":1285,"_1162":1286,"_1164":1287,"_1166":1288,"_1003":1289,"_10":1290,"_1170":1291,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1292,"_590":1595,"_554":1294,"_1178":1596},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},[656,661,974],{"_10":1296,"_252":1297,"_255":1298,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1598,"_1144":1599,"_1160":48,"_1162":48,"_1164":1600,"_1166":1601,"_1003":1602,"_10":1603,"_1170":1604,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1605,"_590":1606,"_554":1607,"_1178":1608},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"In the slender West African nation of Gambia, Dr. Sunkaru Touray of Permian Health Lung Institute is leading an unprecedented initiative to illuminate the invisible dangers of air pollution through the strategic deployment of low-cost air quality monitors. A vision born from necessity Dr. Touray, a pulmonologist and critical care physician originally from Kartong, The Gambia, was profoundly affected by the respiratory issues he encountered while practicing in New Mexico. These issues, often linked to hydrocarbon exposure and environmental pollutants, spurred him to address similar problems in Gambia, where air quality data is scarce. \"There's a significant data gap in Africa when it comes to understanding our air,\" Dr. Touray noted. Recognizing the parallels between New Mexico and Gambia, Dr. Touray envisioned the Permian Health Clean Air Initiative. This initiative aims not only to collect data but to empower Gambians with knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air. “There’s a significant data gap in Africa when it comes to understanding our air.” –Dr. Sunkaru Touray, Founder, Permian Health The journey of Permian Health Permian Health's mission is clear: to democratize access to air quality data in Gambia by installing low-cost air quality monitors throughout the country. The team selected IQAir’s AirVisual outdoor monitors for this critical work. “These devices are proven to be reliable, user-friendly, and can operate on solar power,” Dr. Touray said. “They also have 4G LTE connectivity,” which make the monitors ideally suited for Gambia's diverse environments—from the bustling streets of Banjul to the rural countryside. \"The goal,\" Dr. Touray explained, \"is not just to collect data but to empower our communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air.\" Highlighting areas of concern: Brikama’s air quality Brikama stands as a poignant example of the challenges faced across Gambia. Known for its bustling markets and as a hub for both commerce and community life, the town also grapples with air quality issues that pose risks to its residents. By placing monitors in strategic locations, including the busy highway through Brikama, Permian Health is mapping pollution levels and raising awareness among the local population about the air they breathe daily—while simultaneously acting as a testament to the potential of grassroots air monitoring networks in challenging regions. Dr. Touray said, \"As we look to the future, the lessons learned from Brikama will inform our expansion strategies to other regions facing similar challenges. Our success in achieving nationwide coverage, with Brikama as a keystone in our network, exemplifies the scalable model of Permian Health Clean Air Initiative.” “The goal is not to just collect the data but to empower our communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health.” Local feedback has been largely positive. According to Dr. Touray, real-time access to air quality monitor information has improved local understanding of the dangers of poor air quality, especially during the dry, dusty Harmattan season typically experienced from November to March. Permian Health has collaborated with local groups such as the Brikama Nema Diaspora Group (BRIND) and Karamie’s Health clinic to install sensors in key areas, allowing residents and medical professionals to access real-time air quality data. Pioneering work on the ground To date, the Permian Health air quality network has grown to 14 sensors, achieving nationwide coverage with an air quality sensor in all regions of The Gambia—proof of the project's rapid scalability and success. The project has successfully installed air quality monitors in various locations, including urban areas and industrial sites. These monitors provide real-time data on pollutants like PM2.5, which pose the greatest threat to human health, offering invaluable insights into the air pollution across different regions of Gambia. \"We have sensors in the most densely populated areas,” Dr. Touray said. \"Through the process of collecting PM 2.5 data in Gambia and identifying pollution hotspots, we educate the public about air quality and its impact on public health—and also communicate the importance of installing air quality sensors as a means to make a change.\" This foundational work sets the stage for enhanced accuracy and credibility in air quality monitoring, as underscored by a pivotal development in the project's journey. “The recent addition of a reference-grade monitor donated by MetOne marks a significant leap in our capacity for precision and validation of the data collected by our existing sensor network,” Dr. Touray said. However, maintaining and expanding the network can be impeded by dust accumulation on solar panels during the Harmattan season, unreliable power supplies, and other issues. ‘While we have made significant progress in addressing some of these challenges, connectivity and maintenance in remote areas remain ongoing hurdles in our efforts to maintain and expand the sensor network efficiently,’ Dr. Touray explained. Uniting minds and garnering accolades To raise awareness about their work, Permian Health has created a promotional video which serves as a powerful tool to inform and engage the public about their project. A key milestone for the project was the establishment of the first air quality conference in Gambia, bringing together stakeholders from the government, academia, and civil society to discuss the findings and implications of the collected data. \"This conference was a pivotal moment for us, marking the beginning of a national conversation on air quality,\" reflects Dr. Touray. This national conversation is already making a policy impact. The Ministry of Health has issued public health advisories several times since the air quality sensors were deployed, raising air quality awareness in communities around the country. Dr. Touray emphasizes the importance of partnering with the Gambian government to leverage their data for national air quality standards and planning. \"Working closely with governmental bodies is crucial for our success,\" Dr. Touray notes, highlighting his strong connections within the National Environment Agency, which have been supportive of their endeavors. With the NEA, Permian Health was able to release their first air quality report based on initial installations. This sets the table for future updates from newly installed sensors. Additionally, the project's recent recognition by the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago with an Air Quality Award underscores the global acknowledgment of their impactful work. This prestigious award will enable Permian Health to scale their network further. Currently, there are 22 low-cost sensors deployed, and Gambia will, for the first time ever, have a reference monitor to assist in enhancing air quality monitoring and assessment. Hopes for the Future Thanks to their recent Air Quality award, Permian Health acquired an additional 10 sensors, bringing the total to 26 sensors across The Gambia. Six new sensors have been deployed to NEA headquarters, two major health centers with support from the Ministry of Health, and in housing developments in partnership with Gambia’s largest real estate company, TAF Africa Global. The remaining sensors will be deployed to the National Stadium, Gambia International Airport, the Seaport in Banjul, and a major intersection as soon as final government approvals are processed. Dr. Touray envisions a future where every Gambian has access to air quality information, enabling them to protect themselves and their families from air pollution. Furthermore, he hopes to leverage the data collected to advocate for stronger environmental policies and regulations in Gambia. “We’re not just collecting data for the sake of it. We want to drive change.” \"We're not just collecting data for the sake of it. We want to drive change,\" says Dr. Touray. \"Our ultimate goal is for Gambia to set national air quality standards, informed by the comprehensive data we've gathered.\" A key step toward this goal is the second Clean Air Conference, which Permian Health is organizing in partnership with the NEA. The event will bring together stakeholders, including officials from the ministries of Health, Environment, Transport, and Education, to develop a national air quality work plan. According to Dr. Touray, Permian Health is conducting an inventory assessment to determine the key sources of pollution, such as waste burning, reliance on charcoal and firewood for cooking, and transport-related emissions. \"Looking ahead, we aim to strengthen our collaboration with the NEA and the Ministry of Health, to expand and maintain our sensor network.\" \"We plan to enhance public awareness campaigns, especially during high-risk periods, to better inform the community about air quality concerns. We would also like to engage more with local TV stations for them to display air quality and weather information from our network. Conclusion Dr. Sunkaru Touray's work with Permian Health exemplifies innovative activism. The project not only addresses air quality data gaps but also empowers communities to tackle air pollution—an issue that transcends borders. Dr. Touray's mission goes beyond air quality monitoring; it's about transforming the quality of public health around the world.","

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

A vision born from necessity

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

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

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

The journey of Permian Health

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

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

Highlighting areas of concern: Brikama’s air quality

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

$\"\"$

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

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

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

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

Pioneering work on the ground

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

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

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

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

Uniting minds and garnering accolades

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hopes for the Future

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

$\"\"$

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

","permian-health-air-quality-crusade-in-gambia","gid://shopify/Article/998083264886","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/permian-health-air-quality-crusade-in-gambia","2025-03-24T10:03:00Z",[656,661,974],"Revealing the Invisible: Permian Health’s air quality crusade in Gambia",{"_10":1609,"_252":1610,"_255":1611,"_257":1182,"_253":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/407094034806","Man working on pole","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/PermianHealth_Desk_A_82dc4964-aaa3-4053-96ec-1d5218eb3bd9.jpg?v=1754470616",{"_1153":1154,"_1155":1613,"_1144":1614,"_1160":1615,"_1162":1616,"_1164":1617,"_1166":1618,"_1003":1619,"_10":1620,"_1170":1621,"_1172":-5,"_1173":1622,"_590":1623,"_554":1624,"_1178":1625},{"_12":1157},{"_1003":1159},"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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