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

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

Children
The Elderly
Pregnant People
People with cardiac and pulmonary diseases

\n\n

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

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

Protective Measures for Sensitive Groups

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

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

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

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

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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","onlineStoreUrl","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-wwf-pakistan","2025-11-12T17:43:03Z",[14,442,443],"Revealing the Invisible: WWF-Pakistan’s mission for clean air",{"_50":439,"_206":440,"_204":441,"_208":408,"_210":409},"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","Featured Contributor","Success Stories",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"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.

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A Detroit childcare center is prioritizing clean air technology in early childhood education. Discover how air quality awareness is changing lives and influencing the next generation.

","Air quality awareness and clean air environments are all too often a second thought within busy classrooms, where immediate challenges and childcare obstacles take over. However, in Detroit, Michigan, an early education center is reshaping their air quality concerns and the well-being of their students. Founded by Sentra Johnson-Smith, Sent Loves the Kids Development Center has meshed early education with air quality awareness and data collection through the installation of clean air technology. In partnership with IQAir and the Clean Air for Kids initiative, the Michigan childcare center is leading the charge in bringing pollution awareness through air quality monitoring and filtration to the early childhood education space. Children need clean, safe learning environments Sent Loves the Kids was born from Johnson-Smith's natural connection to children and her desire to holistically shape their early developmental stages. She aims to provide foundational education alongside physical and mental well-being for her students through comprehensive childcare and community connections (1). “Sent Loves The Kids was founded out of my deep love for children and my strong desire to be part of their educational journey,” said Johnson-Smith. “My goal is to nurture and educate the whole child—mind, body, and soul.” In Detroit and other large populous cities alike, these childcare facilities face unique environmental challenges. From urban air pollution to possible lead exposure in water supplies, harmful pollutants can go undetected and sneak into indoor spaces from outside environments. Especially in fast-paced childcare settings, air pollution and environmental concerns can go unnoticed or overshadowed by immediate demands. “Before receiving [an] air monitor, air quality wasn’t on my mind,” Johnson-Smith admitted. “When managing the day-to-day demands of running a facility, air quality was at the bottom of the list.” However, after partnering with IQAir and receiving air quality technology, Johnson-Smith has created a clean air environment for her students and reformed early education learning to encompass air quality awareness. Clean air environments in educational spaces Safe environments and clean air quality are essential to providing a productive learning space for students to thrive in. For children with asthma or allergies, air quality is a daily concern. By employing the Atem X air purifier, the Sent Loves the Kids facility can actively airborne pollutants and produce clean air for students to feel comfortable and safe. “By monitoring the air quality more closely, we can take immediate action when needed, such as adjusting indoor activities or ensuring that children with respiratory conditions are not exposed to triggers,” Johnson-Smith said. Multiple studies have shown children and infants to be among the most vulnerable populations affected by poor air quality. Childhood exposure to long-term air pollution can lead to harmful chronic impacts related to lung development, respiratory health, and asthma (2)(3). However, the utilization of air purifiers and air cleaning tools can drastically lower these risks and improve symptoms. With support from IQAir and the Clean Air for Kids Initiative, Sent Loves the Kids now provides a safe environment for teachers, students, and faculty alike through clean air technology and monitoring. Early education meets air quality awareness With access to real-time air quality monitors that detail various air pollutants and air quality levels, what once was invisible has become impossible to ignore for the Sent Loves the Kids facility. Data collection and air quality monitoring has allowed Johnson-Smith to build safeguards around child healthcare and create immersive lesson plans surrounding local air quality environments. Sent Loves the Kids takes air quality awareness a step further, teaching the next generation about environmental impact and air quality safety. According to Johnson-Smith, “incorporating air quality awareness into our educational programming not only aligns with our mission to provide a nurturing and safe environment but also helps children understand the importance of caring for their health and the planet.” After setting up the AirVisual Pro Indoor Monitor, Johnson-Smith noticed more air quality events and pollutant concerns, modifying school schedules and activities to maintain a safe environment for children and faculty alike. With the combination of clean air filtration and monitoring, Sent Loves the Kids has become a safe breathing and learning environment for students and teachers alike. Conclusion Sent Loves the Kids proves that meaningful childcare changes doesn’t require a large facility or financial burdens. Through air quality monitoring, filtration, and environmental education, Johnson-Smith is laying the groundwork for the next generation to breathe easier and healthier. With the support of IQAir science-backed air quality technology and a passionate mission, any childcare provider or community facility can make an impactful difference in lives of children, families, and the broader local community.","

Air quality awareness and clean air environments are all too often a second thought within busy classrooms, where immediate challenges and childcare obstacles take over. However, in Detroit, Michigan, an early education center is reshaping their air quality concerns and the well-being of their students.

Founded by Sentra Johnson-Smith, Sent Loves the Kids Development Center has meshed early education with air quality awareness and data collection through the installation of clean air technology. In partnership with IQAir and the Clean Air for Kids initiative, the Michigan childcare center is leading the charge in bringing pollution awareness through air quality monitoring and filtration to the early childhood education space.

Children need clean, safe learning environments

Sent Loves the Kids was born from Johnson-Smith's natural connection to children and her desire to holistically shape their early developmental stages. She aims to provide foundational education alongside physical and mental well-being for her students through comprehensive childcare and community connections (1).

“Sent Loves The Kids was founded out of my deep love for children and my strong desire to be part of their educational journey,” said Johnson-Smith. “My goal is to nurture and educate the whole child—mind, body, and soul.”

In Detroit and other large populous cities alike, these childcare facilities face unique environmental challenges. From urban air pollution to possible lead exposure in water supplies, harmful pollutants can go undetected and sneak into indoor spaces from outside environments. Especially in fast-paced childcare settings, air pollution and environmental concerns can go unnoticed or overshadowed by immediate demands.

“Before receiving [an] air monitor, air quality wasn’t on my mind,” Johnson-Smith admitted. “When managing the day-to-day demands of running a facility, air quality was at the bottom of the list.”

However, after partnering with IQAir and receiving air quality technology, Johnson-Smith has created a clean air environment for her students and reformed early education learning to encompass air quality awareness.

Clean air environments in educational spaces

Safe environments and clean air quality are essential to providing a productive learning space for students to thrive in. For children with asthma or allergies, air quality is a daily concern. By employing the Atem X air purifier, the Sent Loves the Kids facility can actively airborne pollutants and produce clean air for students to feel comfortable and safe.

“By monitoring the air quality more closely, we can take immediate action when needed, such as adjusting indoor activities or ensuring that children with respiratory conditions are not exposed to triggers,” Johnson-Smith said.

Multiple studies have shown children and infants to be among the most vulnerable populations affected by poor air quality. Childhood exposure to long-term air pollution can lead to harmful chronic impacts related to lung development, respiratory health, and asthma (2)(3). However, the utilization of air purifiers and air cleaning tools can drastically lower these risks and improve symptoms.

With support from IQAir and the Clean Air for Kids Initiative, Sent Loves the Kids now provides a safe environment for teachers, students, and faculty alike through clean air technology and monitoring.

Early education meets air quality awareness

With access to real-time air quality monitors that detail various air pollutants and air quality levels, what once was invisible has become impossible to ignore for the Sent Loves the Kids facility.

Data collection and air quality monitoring has allowed Johnson-Smith to build safeguards around child healthcare and create immersive lesson plans surrounding local air quality environments. Sent Loves the Kids takes air quality awareness a step further, teaching the next generation about environmental impact and air quality safety.

According to Johnson-Smith, “incorporating air quality awareness into our educational programming not only aligns with our mission to provide a nurturing and safe environment but also helps children understand the importance of caring for their health and the planet.”

After setting up the AirVisual Pro Indoor Monitor, Johnson-Smith noticed more air quality events and pollutant concerns, modifying school schedules and activities to maintain a safe environment for children and faculty alike. With the combination of clean air filtration and monitoring, Sent Loves the Kids has become a safe breathing and learning environment for students and teachers alike.

Conclusion

Sent Loves the Kids proves that meaningful childcare changes doesn’t require a large facility or financial burdens. Through air quality monitoring, filtration, and environmental education, Johnson-Smith is laying the groundwork for the next generation to breathe easier and healthier.

With the support of IQAir science-backed air quality technology and a passionate mission, any childcare provider or community facility can make an impactful difference in lives of children, families, and the broader local community.

","detroit-childcare-center-embraces-clean-air","gid://shopify/Article/1002153509238","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/detroit-childcare-center-embraces-clean-air","2026-07-20T17:09:37Z",[14,443],"Detroit childcare center achieves clean air and data monitoring awareness",{"_50":473,"_206":-5,"_204":474,"_208":475,"_210":476},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/418784674166","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/A_711a0f0b-37dc-4393-8ebc-3ed6f90da591.jpg?v=1786554670",839,674,{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative has been expanding regional air quality monitoring for the last 10 years. Learn about the initiative’s journey and the new wave of pollutant monitoring.","

The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative has been expanding regional air quality monitoring for the last 10 years. Learn about the initiative’s journey and the new wave of pollutant monitoring.

","Polluted outdoor air affects millions of people living in densely populated cities. In 2025, Pakistan ranked as the world’s most polluted country for air quality, with cities and regions regularly experiencing unhealthy to very unhealthy levels of pollution. Lahore, one of the country’s largest urban centers, was ranked the eighth most polluted city in the world, according to the 2025 World Air Quality Report. For Abid Omar, an environmental advocate and founder of the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI), the fight for cleaner air has centered on making pollution visible, measurable, and impossible to ignore. Over the past decade, his work has helped establish over 300 air quality monitors across Pakistan. These monitors have strengthened public access to pollution data and raised awareness of the health risks associated with poor air quality. Pakistan's environmental history, the growth of grassroots activism, and the expansion of air quality monitoring show how transparency and public engagement can drive meaningful progress toward cleaner air. How Pakistan’s air quality shaped a movement Seasonal smog is a recurring environmental challenge in Pakistan, particularly in Lahore, where winter pollution can reduce visibility, disrupt transportation, and expose residents to dangerous levels of airborne pollutants. “During the smog season, brick kilns are being shut down and polluting industrial units are being shut down” to limit ongoing pollution in the country, Abid said. During the transition into colder months, crop residue and biomass burning adds to pollution from year-round sources such as transportation, industry, and waste burning, Calm winds and temperature inversion then trap these pollutants near the ground, leading to frequent unhealthy air quality events. Despite the visible effects, limited access to publicly available, real-time air quality data has made it difficult for residents to understand the severity of the problem. Abid Omar recognized that public awareness was a critical first step toward change. Having experienced how air quality information was communicated in Beijing, he saw an opportunity to bring similar transparency to Pakistan. “10 years ago, the wake-up moment for me was this access to air quality data. At that time, courtesy of the US Embassy in Beijing, they would put out an hourly tweet of air quality,” Abid said. Abid helped spotlight air pollution as a public health and environmental policy issue within Pakistan. Using AirVisual monitoring and air quality mapping, Abid founded the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative to raise air quality awareness and build public support for clean air policies. Building a network one monitor at a time The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) emerged from this need for reliable, publicly accessible air quality information. Abid began building a network of citizen-operated air quality monitors across major Pakistani cities, including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Islamabad. “My mission to solve air pollution in Pakistan through data, research, and advocacy has become, in many ways, a passion project, but it also has already made a measurable impact.” Abid said. “My mission to solve air pollution in Pakistan through data, research and advocacy has become in many ways a passion project, but it also has already made a measurable impact.” - Abid Omar By installing AirVisual monitors, PAQI helped fill gaps in air quality reporting and enabled people to follow pollution levels through online and mobile platforms. These measurements offered a clearer picture of how air quality changed throughout the day and across seasons, while helping residents recognize when conditions posed a health risk. The initiative's impact extended beyond public awareness. In 2017, historical monitoring data collected through Abid's AirVisual monitor network was submitted as supplementary evidence during proceedings before the Lahore High Court concerning the government's response to air pollution. The case helped demonstrate how community-collected data could support policy changes and encourage stronger public health measures. “It took nine years from the first public real-time data available to have the first reliable real-time air quality data being provided by the government. Which in 2017, was mandated by a judgment of the Lahore High Court,” Abid said. In 2023, Pakistan’s National Clean Air Policy (NCAP) was approved by the Federal Cabinet, marking an important step towards clean air. The policy aims to reduce regional PM2.5 levels and common sources of air pollutants by 2030, including industrial smoke, transportation emissions, and waste burning (1). PAQI’s air quality awareness continues to draw support from organizations and global leaders. Through funding from The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), PAQI has installed 70 additional air quality monitors across Pakistan, bringing valuable air quality data to more communities and strengthening the foundation for clean air support. How policies and regulations are shifting in Pakistan As air conscious living increases in Pakistan, new air quality initiatives are forming to reinforce environmental policies and reduce harmful pollutant emissions, such as the Vehicular Emission Control Action Plan and the Punjab Clean Air Program. Introduced in 2025, the Vehicular Emission Control Action Plan (VECAP) was created by the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency to address rising air pollution and smog levels. Developed in coordination with the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration, Islamabad Transport Authority, and Traffic Police, the initiative focuses on strengthening vehicle emissions enforcement and transitioning toward cleaner fuels. The plan specifically targets pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and PM2.5, which are associated with vehicle exhaust emissions (2). Approved in 2025, the Punjab Clean Air Program targets regional air quality concerns and addresses them through increased monitoring and maintained regulations within specific communities (3). With $300 million in financing from the World Bank, the program aims to achieve reduced PM2.5 concentrations and sustainable transportation routes by 2030. The Punjab Clean Air Program further refines the work started by the Punjab Green Development Program – a government initiative aimed at improving greater environmental conditions and climate change. In 2025, government officials in Punjab, Pakistan, announced the installation of 30 air quality monitoring stations, contributing to the expansion of air data networks. (4). Supported by the Punjab Green Development Program, Punjab officials plan to continue installing up to 100 air quality stations, with hourly alerts and pollutant measurements for public awareness. Alongside the air quality monitors, the program will also contribute to the introduction of 600 electric buses into the public transportation system. With the expansion of air quality networks across various initiatives, Punjab government officials are focusing on setting up and implementing regulatory-grade monitors, specifically designed for PM2.5 measurements and standardized data. However, the greater Pakistan region does not have a government operated nationwide air quality network, leading to a pollutant awareness gap for communities with no real-time data access. Greater collaboration between federal and provincial environmental agencies could help standardize monitoring methods, improve public access to pollution data, and support more consistent enforcement of emissions regulations. Expanding transparent, publicly accessible air quality information would also allow communities to better understand local pollution risks while helping policymakers evaluate the effectiveness of environmental interventions. A new era for air quality monitoring In recent years, PAQI has expanded the AirVisual mapping network through the installation of air quality monitors across the Hindu Kush mountainous regions, such as Skardu and Gilgit. Provided by IQAir, these monitors are paving the way for new communities to experience air quality awareness and data collection. Abid plans to continue his air mapping work by reaching regions with limited air quality data and expanding the types of airborne pollutants measured. “My next step for that monitoring is that we also want to go beyond just PM2.5. We want to go into multi-pollutant monitoring, so I'm very keen on getting data on black carbon,” Abid said. Comprehensive air quality data can help paint a clearer picture of pollutant activity across regions, allowing new pathways to reform government policies and environmental laws. With innovative AirVisual mapping, Abid created a community surrounding newfound air quality monitoring and awareness. By forming an air-conscious community, collective action can help enact widespread air quality improvements. Building on this monitoring network, PAQI is also researching where pollution comes from. Its emissions inventories examine sources such as transportation, industry, and waste burning, helping identify opportunities for cleaner air. Through Hawanama and its emissions inventory platform, PAQI is making air quality information and research more accessible, supporting communities, researchers, and policymakers as they work toward practical solutions (5)(6). According to Abid, the next phase of this movement depends on maintaining reliable equipment, improving data quality, and encouraging more communities to participate. By bringing together citizens, environmental organizations, and public institutions, Pakistan can build a stronger foundation for long-term monitoring and evidence-based action. How data and transparency are transforming Pakistan Air quality maps and real-time reporting have evolved considerably in Pakistan, increasing people’s awareness of air quality and various airborne pollutants. With online platforms and new pollutant monitors, air quality monitoring has never been more accessible. Digital platforms, such as IQAir's AirVisual map, help visualize historic and real-time air quality data, combining community-based monitoring and accurate data collection. From dust storms to wildfire smoke, air quality events are continuously captured on the AirVisual map for global transparency through localized monitoring. Data from every AirVisual Indoor and Outdoor Monitor, local air quality data can be pooled, compared across wider regions and countries, and analyzed for shifting trends. AirVisual monitors measure a wide range of air quality factors, including PM2.5, temperature, CO2, humidity, and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) to capture comprehensive pollutant and airborne chemical activity. Transparency also strengthens accountability. Publicly available data can help journalists communicate the severity of pollution, researchers investigate its sources, and policymakers assess whether interventions are making a difference. Laying the foundation in air quality data and pollutant monitoring is an important first step on the path towards cleaner air. However, long-term improvement depends on systematic changes and policy reform. Pathways to cleaner air quality Although expanded monitoring has improved awareness, lasting progress requires reducing pollution at its sources. According to the 2025 World Air Quality Report, Pakistan ranked as the most air polluted country in the world, yet average AQI measurements were lower compared to previous years. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action across government, industry, and local communities. What governments and global leaders can doGlobal leaders and government systems have the power to enact policy reformation and support public environmental awareness through impactful actions, such as: Creating standardized government air quality reporting and monitoring Reviewing environmental laws and air pollution policies Enforcing emissions standards for vehicles and industrial facilities Supporting alternatives to open waste burning and crop residue burning Increasing public transportation routes Supporting clean air funding and local organizations Initiating clean air campaigns and promoting public awareness Employing air quality monitors across government offices and meeting spaces Utilizing air filtration systems in shared government buildings in shared government buildings What local organizations and communities can doLocal organizations and community members can create environmental change through improved filtration systems, increased air quality awareness tactics, and public campaigning, such as: Funding clean air initiatives Installing air quality monitors across neighborhoods and major cities Utilizing ultrafine air filtration in shared spaces such as community buildings, libraries, and family homes Supporting clean air campaigns and environmental community events Incorporating air quality mapping and monitoring into educational lesson plans Using public transportation Conclusion A decade of air quality monitoring in Pakistan demonstrates how access to information can help turn environmental concern into collective action. Through the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative, Abid Omar has helped increase the visibility of air pollution, raise public awareness, and show how citizen-generated data can contribute to policy discussions and legal accountability. The challenge ahead is to translate that awareness into measurable improvements in the air people breathe. More monitoring alone cannot eliminate pollution, but reliable data can help communities identify problems, hold institutions accountable, and evaluate solutions. Sustained collaboration between citizens, scientists, and policymakers will be essential to turning greater transparency into healthier communities and cleaner air.","

Polluted outdoor air affects millions of people living in densely populated cities. In 2025, Pakistan ranked as the world’s most polluted country for air quality, with cities and regions regularly experiencing unhealthy to very unhealthy levels of pollution. Lahore, one of the country’s largest urban centers, was ranked the eighth most polluted city in the world, according to the 2025 World Air Quality Report.

For Abid Omar, an environmental advocate and founder of the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI), the fight for cleaner air has centered on making pollution visible, measurable, and impossible to ignore. Over the past decade, his work has helped establish over 300 air quality monitors across Pakistan. These monitors have strengthened public access to pollution data and raised awareness of the health risks associated with poor air quality.

Pakistan's environmental history, the growth of grassroots activism, and the expansion of air quality monitoring show how transparency and public engagement can drive meaningful progress toward cleaner air.

How Pakistan’s air quality shaped a movement

Seasonal smog is a recurring environmental challenge in Pakistan, particularly in Lahore, where winter pollution can reduce visibility, disrupt transportation, and expose residents to dangerous levels of airborne pollutants.

“During the smog season, brick kilns are being shut down and polluting industrial units are being shut down” to limit ongoing pollution in the country, Abid said.

During the transition into colder months, crop residue and biomass burning adds to pollution from year-round sources such as transportation, industry, and waste burning, Calm winds and temperature inversion then trap these pollutants near the ground, leading to frequent unhealthy air quality events. Despite the visible effects, limited access to publicly available, real-time air quality data has made it difficult for residents to understand the severity of the problem.

Abid Omar recognized that public awareness was a critical first step toward change. Having experienced how air quality information was communicated in Beijing, he saw an opportunity to bring similar transparency to Pakistan.

“10 years ago, the wake-up moment for me was this access to air quality data. At that time, courtesy of the US Embassy in Beijing, they would put out an hourly tweet of air quality,” Abid said.

Abid helped spotlight air pollution as a public health and environmental policy issue within Pakistan. Using AirVisual monitoring and air quality mapping, Abid founded the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative to raise air quality awareness and build public support for clean air policies.

Building a network one monitor at a time

The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) emerged from this need for reliable, publicly accessible air quality information. Abid began building a network of citizen-operated air quality monitors across major Pakistani cities, including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Islamabad.

“My mission to solve air pollution in Pakistan through data, research, and advocacy has become, in many ways, a passion project, but it also has already made a measurable impact.” Abid said.

“My mission to solve air pollution in Pakistan through data, research and advocacy has become in many ways a passion project, but it also has already made a measurable impact.”

- Abid Omar

By installing AirVisual monitors, PAQI helped fill gaps in air quality reporting and enabled people to follow pollution levels through online and mobile platforms. These measurements offered a clearer picture of how air quality changed throughout the day and across seasons, while helping residents recognize when conditions posed a health risk.

The initiative's impact extended beyond public awareness. In 2017, historical monitoring data collected through Abid's AirVisual monitor network was submitted as supplementary evidence during proceedings before the Lahore High Court concerning the government's response to air pollution. The case helped demonstrate how community-collected data could support policy changes and encourage stronger public health measures.

“It took nine years from the first public real-time data available to have the first reliable real-time air quality data being provided by the government. Which in 2017, was mandated by a judgment of the Lahore High Court,” Abid said.

In 2023, Pakistan’s National Clean Air Policy (NCAP) was approved by the Federal Cabinet, marking an important step towards clean air. The policy aims to reduce regional PM2.5 levels and common sources of air pollutants by 2030, including industrial smoke, transportation emissions, and waste burning (1).

PAQI’s air quality awareness continues to draw support from organizations and global leaders. Through funding from The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), PAQI has installed 70 additional air quality monitors across Pakistan, bringing valuable air quality data to more communities and strengthening the foundation for clean air support.

How policies and regulations are shifting in Pakistan

As air conscious living increases in Pakistan, new air quality initiatives are forming to reinforce environmental policies and reduce harmful pollutant emissions, such as the Vehicular Emission Control Action Plan and the Punjab Clean Air Program.

Introduced in 2025, the Vehicular Emission Control Action Plan (VECAP) was created by the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency to address rising air pollution and smog levels. Developed in coordination with the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration, Islamabad Transport Authority, and Traffic Police, the initiative focuses on strengthening vehicle emissions enforcement and transitioning toward cleaner fuels. The plan specifically targets pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and PM2.5, which are associated with vehicle exhaust emissions (2).

Approved in 2025, the Punjab Clean Air Program targets regional air quality concerns and addresses them through increased monitoring and maintained regulations within specific communities (3). With $300 million in financing from the World Bank, the program aims to achieve reduced PM2.5 concentrations and sustainable transportation routes by 2030.

The Punjab Clean Air Program further refines the work started by the Punjab Green Development Program – a government initiative aimed at improving greater environmental conditions and climate change.

In 2025, government officials in Punjab, Pakistan, announced the installation of 30 air quality monitoring stations, contributing to the expansion of air data networks. (4). Supported by the Punjab Green Development Program, Punjab officials plan to continue installing up to 100 air quality stations, with hourly alerts and pollutant measurements for public awareness. Alongside the air quality monitors, the program will also contribute to the introduction of 600 electric buses into the public transportation system.

With the expansion of air quality networks across various initiatives, Punjab government officials are focusing on setting up and implementing regulatory-grade monitors, specifically designed for PM2.5 measurements and standardized data. However, the greater Pakistan region does not have a government operated nationwide air quality network, leading to a pollutant awareness gap for communities with no real-time data access.

Greater collaboration between federal and provincial environmental agencies could help standardize monitoring methods, improve public access to pollution data, and support more consistent enforcement of emissions regulations. Expanding transparent, publicly accessible air quality information would also allow communities to better understand local pollution risks while helping policymakers evaluate the effectiveness of environmental interventions.

A new era for air quality monitoring

In recent years, PAQI has expanded the AirVisual mapping network through the installation of air quality monitors across the Hindu Kush mountainous regions, such as Skardu and Gilgit. Provided by IQAir, these monitors are paving the way for new communities to experience air quality awareness and data collection. Abid plans to continue his air mapping work by reaching regions with limited air quality data and expanding the types of airborne pollutants measured.

“My next step for that monitoring is that we also want to go beyond just PM2.5. We want to go into multi-pollutant monitoring, so I'm very keen on getting data on black carbon,” Abid said.

Comprehensive air quality data can help paint a clearer picture of pollutant activity across regions, allowing new pathways to reform government policies and environmental laws. With innovative AirVisual mapping, Abid created a community surrounding newfound air quality monitoring and awareness. By forming an air-conscious community, collective action can help enact widespread air quality improvements.

Building on this monitoring network, PAQI is also researching where pollution comes from. Its emissions inventories examine sources such as transportation, industry, and waste burning, helping identify opportunities for cleaner air. Through Hawanama and its emissions inventory platform, PAQI is making air quality information and research more accessible, supporting communities, researchers, and policymakers as they work toward practical solutions (5)(6).

According to Abid, the next phase of this movement depends on maintaining reliable equipment, improving data quality, and encouraging more communities to participate. By bringing together citizens, environmental organizations, and public institutions, Pakistan can build a stronger foundation for long-term monitoring and evidence-based action.

How data and transparency are transforming Pakistan

Air quality maps and real-time reporting have evolved considerably in Pakistan, increasing people’s awareness of air quality and various airborne pollutants. With online platforms and new pollutant monitors, air quality monitoring has never been more accessible.

Digital platforms, such as IQAir's AirVisual map, help visualize historic and real-time air quality data, combining community-based monitoring and accurate data collection. From dust storms to wildfire smoke, air quality events are continuously captured on the AirVisual map for global transparency through localized monitoring.

Data from every AirVisual Indoor and Outdoor Monitor, local air quality data can be pooled, compared across wider regions and countries, and analyzed for shifting trends. AirVisual monitors measure a wide range of air quality factors, including PM2.5, temperature, CO2, humidity, and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) to capture comprehensive pollutant and airborne chemical activity.

Transparency also strengthens accountability. Publicly available data can help journalists communicate the severity of pollution, researchers investigate its sources, and policymakers assess whether interventions are making a difference. Laying the foundation in air quality data and pollutant monitoring is an important first step on the path towards cleaner air. However, long-term improvement depends on systematic changes and policy reform.

Pathways to cleaner air quality

Although expanded monitoring has improved awareness, lasting progress requires reducing pollution at its sources. According to the 2025 World Air Quality Report, Pakistan ranked as the most air polluted country in the world, yet average AQI measurements were lower compared to previous years. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action across government, industry, and local communities.

What governments and global leaders can do
Global leaders and government systems have the power to enact policy reformation and support public environmental awareness through impactful actions, such as:

Creating standardized government air quality reporting and monitoring
Reviewing environmental laws and air pollution policies
Enforcing emissions standards for vehicles and industrial facilities
Supporting alternatives to open waste burning and crop residue burning
Increasing public transportation routes
Supporting clean air funding and local organizations
Initiating clean air campaigns and promoting public awareness
Employing air quality monitors across government offices and meeting spaces
Utilizing air filtration systems in shared government buildings in shared government buildings

What local organizations and communities can do
Local organizations and community members can create environmental change through improved filtration systems, increased air quality awareness tactics, and public campaigning, such as:

Funding clean air initiatives
Installing air quality monitors across neighborhoods and major cities
Utilizing ultrafine air filtration in shared spaces such as community buildings, libraries, and family homes
Supporting clean air campaigns and environmental community events
Incorporating air quality mapping and monitoring into educational lesson plans
Using public transportation
\n

Conclusion

A decade of air quality monitoring in Pakistan demonstrates how access to information can help turn environmental concern into collective action. Through the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative, Abid Omar has helped increase the visibility of air pollution, raise public awareness, and show how citizen-generated data can contribute to policy discussions and legal accountability.

The challenge ahead is to translate that awareness into measurable improvements in the air people breathe. More monitoring alone cannot eliminate pollution, but reliable data can help communities identify problems, hold institutions accountable, and evaluate solutions.

Sustained collaboration between citizens, scientists, and policymakers will be essential to turning greater transparency into healthier communities and cleaner air.

","revealing-the-invisible-decade-fighting-for-clean-air-pakistan","gid://shopify/Article/1003839586678","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-decade-fighting-for-clean-air-pakistan","2026-11-09T22:07:02Z",[411,14,493,443],"Revealing the Invisible: A decade of fighting for clean air in Pakistan",{"_50":490,"_206":491,"_204":492,"_208":475,"_210":476},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/421651906934","Contributor Abid Omar","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Article_AbidOmar_Desk.jpg?v=1794003584","Featured articles",{"_98":423,"_79":546,"_11":547,"_69":548,"_427":548,"_71":549,"_73":550,"_63":551,"_50":552,"_433":553,"_111":-5,"_75":554,"_77":555,"_67":556,"_81":557},{"_98":423,"_79":530,"_11":531,"_69":532,"_427":532,"_71":533,"_73":534,"_63":535,"_50":536,"_433":537,"_111":-5,"_75":538,"_77":539,"_67":540,"_81":541},{"_98":423,"_79":515,"_11":516,"_69":517,"_427":517,"_71":518,"_73":519,"_63":520,"_50":521,"_433":522,"_111":-5,"_75":523,"_77":524,"_67":525,"_81":526},{"_98":423,"_79":498,"_11":499,"_69":500,"_427":500,"_71":501,"_73":502,"_63":503,"_50":504,"_433":505,"_111":-5,"_75":506,"_77":507,"_67":508,"_81":509},{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"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",[513,514],"The hidden dangers of scented candles",{"_50":510,"_206":511,"_204":512,"_208":408,"_210":409},"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","Health and Wellness","Popular articles",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"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",[411,513,514],"Himalayan salt lamps: Worth their salt?",{"_50":527,"_206":528,"_204":529,"_208":408,"_210":409},"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",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"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",[545,513,514],"Do air purifiers work? Air purifier myths and facts debunked",{"_50":542,"_206":543,"_204":544,"_208":408,"_210":409},"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","Air Cleaning Technology",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"Learn why wildfire smoke poses a health risk to people living far downwind and what you can do to help protect yourself.","When considering the dangers of wildfires, thoughts of fleeing your home while a raging wildfire rapidly approaches can easily consume your imagination. However, the number one cause of death from fires is smoke inhalation. The primary cause of death from wildfires is smoke inhalation. 50 to 80 percent of fire deaths are from smoke inhalation. Inhaling smoke damages your body in one or both of the following ways: by robbing it of oxygen through particulate matter irritation Smoke inhalation is particularly dangerous because you may not show symptoms until 24 to 48 hours after exposure. 50–80 percent of fire deaths are from smoke inhalation.1 Read on to learn how to help protect the health of yourself and your loved ones, and learn some wildfire smoke safety tips to rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary wildfire safety precautions to reduce the consequences of toxic wildfire smoke. What’s in wildfire smoke? Wildfire smoke is a mixture of thousands of individual compounds, including harmful particles and gases that pose a severe health risk to anyone (including pets) nearby and downwind from a fire. Wildfire smoke often contains: water vapor particulate matter trace minerals carbon dioxide carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide compounds that contribute to elevated ozone (O3) levels volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including acrolein and formaldehyde (potent respiratory irritants) Wildfire smoke often contains fine (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles that can be absorbed directly into your blood stream and reach any organ or area of your body. Pictured: The typical contents of wildfire smoke, including ultrafine particles (≤ 0.3 microns), PM2.5 (2.5-10 microns), acrolein, PM10 (> 10 microns), formaldehyde, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. Source: IQAir Wildfire smoke composition depends upon multiple factors, including: the types of wood and vegetation burning the moisture content the fire temperature wind conditions other weather-related influences The primary pollutant threatening the health of those nearby and downwind of a wildfire is particulate matter. Wildfire smoke often contains fine (or PM2.5) and ultrafine particles. These tiny airborne particles are the most dangerous to your health. Fine particles (smaller than 2.5 microns) penetrate deeply into your lungs. The most dangerous are ultrafine particles (smaller than 0.1 microns), which represent 90% of all airborne particles. These particles are tiny and can be absorbed directly into your bloodstream. Once in your blood, they can reach any organ or area of your body. Clean the air with high-performance air filtration Learn more about our wildfire smoke air purifiers Click here Wildfire smoke and at-risk populations Most healthy adults will recover from smoke exposure. However, certain individuals are more at risk for severe health consequences, including:2 Young children. Children whose lungs are still developing are considered more vulnerable, regardless of whether they have a pre-existing condition. Pregnant women. Wildfire smoke inhalation puts pregnant women and their unborn children at a higher risk than the general population. Older adults. This population is at-risk due to an increased rate of pre-existing heart and lung disease. Anyone with a respiratory disease. Individuals with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD, asthma, or another respiratory disease are at-risk. Individuals with heart disease. Circulatory diseases include high blood pressure, vascular diseases, heart failure, and cerebrovascular conditions. These conditions make sufferers susceptible to heart attacks, transient chest pain, heart failure, stroke, and sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia. Young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with respiratory and cardiovascular pre-existing conditions may find that they experience more severe symptoms and find it harder to breathe.3 The full impact of wildfire smoke is not yet fully understood. A 2017 review in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology found that there are still important study opportunities for exploring the long-term health implications of smoke exposure, smoke exposure recovery, and additional smoke inhalation health impacts for children.4 Exposure to smoke can be dangerous simply due to the microorganisms within the smoke. A 2020 study in Science magazine noted that microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungal spores, comprise some of the particulate matter found in smoke.5 The study theorizes that infectious disease may be spread as bacteria and fungi become part of smoke’s particulate composition. Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungal spores, comprise some of the particulate matter found in smoke, and infectious disease may be spread as they become part of the smoke’s particulate composition. How wildfire smoke behaves Many factors affect wildfire smoke behavior, such as: weather geographical terrain the stage of the fire wind Use the live, interactive air quality map below to see how weather, wind, and location can impact the behavior of wildfire smoke near you. Windy conditions generally cause smoke to mix with larger volumes of air to lower smoke concentrations. However, strong winds also can spread fires more quickly, causing larger fires with greater impact. Regional weather can be the dominant determinant in how a fire behaves as well as how smoke affects surrounding areas. However, regional weather systems can spread fires quickly and result in larger fires with more smoke generated, creating the potential for even greater impacts. Strong regional weather systems can also dominate a fire’s behavior for days and be the determining factor of where and how smoke will affect an area. Smoke can travel for miles beyond its source. In 2020, smoke from wildfires in the Western United States drifted for nearly 5,000 miles, eventually being detected in Europe. Smoke can travel for miles beyond its source. In 2020, smoke from wildfires in the western United States drifted for nearly 5,000 miles, eventually being detected in Europe.6 Wildfire safety tips Wildfire smoke events can occur seemingly without warning. But there are steps you can take to prepare yourself using appropriate safety precautions for wildfires. Keep the air clean in your home. Keep windows and doors closed closed and seal off any openings to the outside, including vents, to help prevent outdoor smoke from getting in. When using an air conditioner, be sure to set it to re-circulate and close the fresh-air intake. Filter the air when ventilating the space. An air purifier for wildfire smoke, will help remove smoke particles of all sizes down to 0.003 microns from the indoor air and help control ozone levels. This is critical if you live in an urban area downwind (even remotely) from wildfires. Stay indoors as much as possible. This tactic is most useful in buildings that effectively stop outdoor air from getting inside. If you need to travel by car to leave or evacuate an area affected by wildfire smoke, use a car air purifier to help keep your vehicle interior air clean as you pass through smoky or polluted areas. You can also use a portable, personal air purifier to access clean air where other air filtration systems are not available. Wear a mask outdoors. Only use an air pollution mask with an N95, KN95, N100, or FFP2 rating to help. Avoid activities that further pollute the indoor air. Avoid burning candles, using the fireplace, or even vacuuming unless you own a high-performance HEPA vacuum cleaner. All of these activities can otherwise become additional sources of indoor air pollutants. Monitor your indoor air quality. Use an air quality monitor to track levels of indoor pollutants like PM2.5 and CO2 from smoke and other indoor pollution sources. Take action if indoor air pollutants rise to dangerous levels by running an air purifier, circulating fresh air through your HVAC system, or leaving your home temporarily if indoor air becomes unsafe to breathe or your home is threatened by wildfire. Use an air quality monitoring app to keep track of pollutants in your environment. The AirVisual app displays real-time hyperlocal data from over 80,000 sensors around the world. The app also tracks up to six key wildfire pollutants, such as PM2.5, CO2, and NO2, so that you have the best picture of your local air quality during a wildfire and can take action to help protect your health. Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire smoke can negatively affect your health, even if you’re far away from the actual fire. Learn to protect the health of yourself and your family, and rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary precautions. During a wildfire, it’s also important to monitor your local air quality to see how wildfire smoke will affect your outdoor air. The takeaway Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire smoke can negatively affect your health, even if you’re far away from the actual fire. And while wildfire smoke may be a warning sign of imminent fires, smoke also delivers its own set of risks for people living miles beyond the source. Though smoke pollutants carried on the wind may be invisible, their impacts are felt by those most at risk. Smoke pollutants pose health threats that range from irritation and cough to more serious respiratory and cardiac risks. By helping control smoke pollutants that threaten our indoor air quality through monitoring and air purification, it's possible to help manage wildfire smoke health risks.","

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

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

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

by robbing it of oxygen
through particulate matter irritation

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

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

What’s in wildfire smoke?

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

Wildfire smoke often contains:

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

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

$\"What's$

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

Wildfire smoke composition depends upon multiple factors, including:

\n
the types of wood and vegetation burning
\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How wildfire smoke behaves

Many factors affect wildfire smoke behavior, such as:

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

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

$\"placeholder$

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

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

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

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

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

Wildfire safety tips

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

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

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

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

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

The takeaway

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

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

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

","how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke","gid://shopify/Article/606869291307","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke","2025-07-01T20:46:00Z",[411,561,514,412],"How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke",{"_50":558,"_206":559,"_204":560,"_208":408,"_210":409},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/415911739766","Wildfire at night in hills","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_21_WildfireDesktop_a_eab3c656-163e-406c-84fa-969d40e0f981.jpg?v=1779917280","Climate",{"_98":423,"_79":649,"_11":650,"_69":651,"_427":652,"_71":653,"_73":654,"_63":655,"_50":656,"_433":657,"_111":-5,"_75":658,"_77":659,"_67":660,"_81":661},{"_98":423,"_79":633,"_11":634,"_69":635,"_427":636,"_71":637,"_73":638,"_63":639,"_50":640,"_433":641,"_111":-5,"_75":642,"_77":643,"_67":644,"_81":645},{"_98":423,"_79":617,"_11":618,"_69":619,"_427":620,"_71":621,"_73":622,"_63":623,"_50":624,"_433":625,"_111":-5,"_75":626,"_77":627,"_67":628,"_81":629},{"_98":423,"_79":602,"_11":603,"_69":604,"_427":605,"_71":606,"_73":607,"_63":608,"_50":609,"_433":610,"_111":-5,"_75":611,"_77":612,"_67":613,"_81":614},{"_98":423,"_79":586,"_11":587,"_69":588,"_427":589,"_71":590,"_73":591,"_63":592,"_50":593,"_433":594,"_111":-5,"_75":595,"_77":596,"_67":597,"_81":598},{"_98":423,"_79":568,"_11":569,"_69":570,"_427":571,"_71":572,"_73":573,"_63":574,"_50":575,"_433":576,"_111":-5,"_75":577,"_77":578,"_67":579,"_81":580},{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"One system, every room: whole-house air purification filters air through your existing HVAC system.","

One system, every room: whole-house air purification filters air through your existing HVAC system.

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} .iq-chart__intro { font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 18px; } .iq-chart__table { border-radius: 16px; } .iq-chart thead { display: none; } .iq-chart table, .iq-chart tbody, .iq-chart tr, .iq-chart td { display: block; width: 100%; } .iq-chart tbody tr { padding: 20px; border-bottom: 1px solid #DCE2EB; } .iq-chart tbody tr:last-child { border-bottom: 0; } .iq-chart td { padding: 0; border: 0; } .iq-chart td:first-child { margin-bottom: 14px; } .iq-chart td:nth-child(2) { margin-bottom: 12px; } .iq-chart td:nth-child(2)::before, .iq-chart td:nth-child(3)::before { display: block; margin-bottom: 4px; color: #737D8B; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 0.06em; text-transform: uppercase; } .iq-chart td:nth-child(2)::before { content: \"Particle size coverage\"; } .iq-chart td:nth-child(3)::before { content: \"Best for\"; } } Indoor air can carry more pollutants than the air outside, and most people spend close to 90% of their time indoors, which means most of that exposure happens at home (1). Dust, pet dander, pollen, and ultrafine particles from cooking, fireplaces, and wildfire smoke don't stay contained to the room where they're generated. They move through hallways, HVAC ducts, and open doorways to the rest of the house. Source control and ventilation are still the first line of defense against indoor air pollution. But for pollutants that can't be eliminated at the source, filtration is what closes the gap. A single portable air purifier, while extremely useful for targeted air filtration, can only clean the room it's sitting in. A whole-house air purifier takes a different approach, working through your home's existing HVAC system to filter air throughout every room it serves. What makes indoor air quality hard to control room by room? A portable air purifier is designed to filter one room or area at a time (2). That works well for a bedroom or a home office, but pollutants generated in a kitchen or garage don't respect closed doors, they spread through the house as air moves between rooms, especially in homes with open floor plans, multiple levels, or central air circulation. Common indoor pollutants that spread this way include: Household dust and pet dander Pollen and other seasonal allergens Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products, paint, and furnishings Ultrafine particles from cooking, fireplaces, and wildfire smoke that infiltrates from outdoors For most homes, covering every space with portable systems means buying, placing, and maintaining several of air purifiers. Whole-house filtration addresses the same pollutants at the point where air already circulates: the HVAC system. How does whole-house air purification work? A whole-house air purifier installs into your home's existing ductwork, typically near the HVAC return, and filters air as it's pulled through the system. Because it draws on air the HVAC system is already moving, it doesn't require its own separate blower, it's what's known as a passive filtration system, meaning its performance depends on how often the HVAC fan runs. Perfect 16 Series is one example of this approach. The system uses four high-efficiency filters arranged in a \"double-V\" configuration, providing more than 170 square feet of filter media. This design means the system delivers up to 50 times the filtration power of a standard HVAC filter. It's rated to capture particles as small as 0.003 microns and is designed to refresh the air in a home up to 125 times per day. Independent testing from Intertek/ETL SEMKO has certified the system above MERV 16, the highest efficiency tier on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value scale, delivering HEPA-like performance without partially bypassing the HVAC. It's available in several models sized to match different HVAC system capacities, so matching the system to an existing system's tonnage matters more than where in the house it's installed. Does a whole-house system replace portable air purifiers? Yes, usually. However, the two can work well together. Research on high-efficiency HVAC filtration has found that its effectiveness depends heavily on how often the system runs; a filter only cleans air while the blower is moving it, so a system that cycles on and off briefly throughout the day won't filter continuously the way a dedicated portable system can in a single room (3). For that reason, homeowners with central air often pair whole-house filtration with a stand-alone air purifier in a bedroom or another frequently used room, particularly if the HVAC system doesn't run continuously. Running the HVAC fan on a continuous or \"on\" setting, rather than only when heating or cooling is active, also helps a whole-house filter do more consistent work. Can whole-house air purification help during wildfire smoke or high-pollution events? Central air filtration has a documented role in reduction indoor pollution during outdoor pollution spikes. An analysis of home filtration interventions during a period of wildfire smoke exposure in Southern California found that improved filtration could meaningfully reduce the hospital admissions and deaths attributable to wildfire particles reaching indoor air (4). Keeping the HVAC fan running continuously, closing windows and doors, and using a high-efficiency filter together give a home the best chance of limiting how much outdoor smoke reaches indoor air during these events. What should you look for in a whole-house air purification system? A few factors matter more than brand or marketing claims: MERV rating: The EPA recommends at least MERV 13 for a meaningful upgrade over a standard furnace filter, with higher ratings like MERV 16 capturing a broader range of fine and ultrafine particles. However, the Perfect 16 Whole House Air Purifier is rated better than MERV 16. Certification: Independent lab certification (such as Intertek/ETL SEMKO) verifies a system's stated efficiency rather than relying on manufacturer claims alone. HVAC compatibility: A whole-house filter has to be sized to an existing system's airflow and ductwork; an HVAC technician can confirm compatibility before installation. Pressure drop: Denser, high-efficiency filters can restrict airflow if not designed carefully, which can strain the HVAC blower. Systems engineered for low pressure drop, like the Perfect 16 Series, avoid adding meaningful extra strain or energy use to the HVAC system. Conclusion Indoor air is often more polluted than the air outside, and pollutants rarely stay confined to the room they came from. A whole-house air purifier addresses that by filtering air at the level of the HVAC system rather than room by room, extending clean air to every space the system serves. Getting the most from one comes down to matching it to your HVAC system's specifications, keeping the fan running consistently, and in homes where the system doesn't run continuously pairing it with a portable system in the rooms used most. Frequently Asked Questions Does a whole-house air purifier increase my energy bill? Passive systems like the Perfect 16 Series use the HVAC system's existing blower rather than a separate motor, so they don't add meaningful electricity use on their own. A denser filter can slightly increase resistance in the ductwork, which is why systems designed for low pressure drop matter. Can I install a whole-house air purifier myself? It's best installed by an HVAC professional, since it has to be matched to your system's airflow capacity and ductwork to avoid restricting performance. How is a whole-house air purifier different from a standard furnace filter? A standard furnace filter is typically rated in the MERV 8–11 range and designed mainly to protect the HVAC equipment. A whole-house air purifier like the Perfect 16 Series is rated above MERV 16 and uses substantially more filter media, so it's built specifically to remove fine and ultrafine airborne particles rather than just larger debris. Do I still need air purifiers in individual rooms? It depends on how often your HVAC system runs. If it cycles on and off throughout the day rather than running continuously, a portable system in a bedroom or other frequently used room can fill in the gaps between cycles. How often do whole-house air purifier filters need to be replaced? This varies by system and how many hours the HVAC fan runs per day, so it's best to follow the manufacturer's guidance for your specific model rather than a fixed timeline.","\n

Indoor air can carry more pollutants than the air outside, and most people spend close to 90% of their time indoors, which means most of that exposure happens at home (1).

Dust, pet dander, pollen, and ultrafine particles from cooking, fireplaces, and wildfire smoke don't stay contained to the room where they're generated. They move through hallways, HVAC ducts, and open doorways to the rest of the house.

Source control and ventilation are still the first line of defense against indoor air pollution. But for pollutants that can't be eliminated at the source, filtration is what closes the gap. A single portable air purifier, while extremely useful for targeted air filtration, can only clean the room it's sitting in. A whole-house air purifier takes a different approach, working through your home's existing HVAC system to filter air throughout every room it serves.

What makes indoor air quality hard to control room by room?

A portable air purifier is designed to filter one room or area at a time (2). That works well for a bedroom or a home office, but pollutants generated in a kitchen or garage don't respect closed doors, they spread through the house as air moves between rooms, especially in homes with open floor plans, multiple levels, or central air circulation.

Common indoor pollutants that spread this way include:

\nHousehold dust and pet dander
\n
\nPollen and other seasonal allergens
\n
\nVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products, paint, and furnishings
\n
\nUltrafine particles from cooking, fireplaces, and wildfire smoke that infiltrates from outdoors

For most homes, covering every space with portable systems means buying, placing, and maintaining several of air purifiers. Whole-house filtration addresses the same pollutants at the point where air already circulates: the HVAC system.

How does whole-house air purification work?

A whole-house air purifier installs into your home's existing ductwork, typically near the HVAC return, and filters air as it's pulled through the system. Because it draws on air the HVAC system is already moving, it doesn't require its own separate blower, it's what's known as a passive filtration system, meaning its performance depends on how often the HVAC fan runs.

Perfect 16 Series is one example of this approach. The system uses four high-efficiency filters arranged in a \"double-V\" configuration, providing more than 170 square feet of filter media. This design means the system delivers up to 50 times the filtration power of a standard HVAC filter. It's rated to capture particles as small as 0.003 microns and is designed to refresh the air in a home up to 125 times per day.

Independent testing from Intertek/ETL SEMKO has certified the system above MERV 16, the highest efficiency tier on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value scale, delivering HEPA-like performance without partially bypassing the HVAC. It's available in several models sized to match different HVAC system capacities, so matching the system to an existing system's tonnage matters more than where in the house it's installed.

Does a whole-house system replace portable air purifiers?

Yes, usually. However, the two can work well together. Research on high-efficiency HVAC filtration has found that its effectiveness depends heavily on how often the system runs; a filter only cleans air while the blower is moving it, so a system that cycles on and off briefly throughout the day won't filter continuously the way a dedicated portable system can in a single room (3).

For that reason, homeowners with central air often pair whole-house filtration with a stand-alone air purifier in a bedroom or another frequently used room, particularly if the HVAC system doesn't run continuously. Running the HVAC fan on a continuous or \"on\" setting, rather than only when heating or cooling is active, also helps a whole-house filter do more consistent work.

Can whole-house air purification help during wildfire smoke or high-pollution events?

Central air filtration has a documented role in reduction indoor pollution during outdoor pollution spikes. An analysis of home filtration interventions during a period of wildfire smoke exposure in Southern California found that improved filtration could meaningfully reduce the hospital admissions and deaths attributable to wildfire particles reaching indoor air (4). Keeping the HVAC fan running continuously, closing windows and doors, and using a high-efficiency filter together give a home the best chance of limiting how much outdoor smoke reaches indoor air during these events.

What should you look for in a whole-house air purification system?

A few factors matter more than brand or marketing claims:

\nMERV rating: The EPA recommends at least MERV 13 for a meaningful upgrade over a standard furnace filter, with higher ratings like MERV 16 capturing a broader range of fine and ultrafine particles. However, the Perfect 16 Whole House Air Purifier is rated better than MERV 16.
\n
\nCertification: Independent lab certification (such as Intertek/ETL SEMKO) verifies a system's stated efficiency rather than relying on manufacturer claims alone.
\n
\nHVAC compatibility: A whole-house filter has to be sized to an existing system's airflow and ductwork; an HVAC technician can confirm compatibility before installation.
\n
\nPressure drop: Denser, high-efficiency filters can restrict airflow if not designed carefully, which can strain the HVAC blower. Systems engineered for low pressure drop, like the Perfect 16 Series, avoid adding meaningful extra strain or energy use to the HVAC system.

Conclusion

Indoor air is often more polluted than the air outside, and pollutants rarely stay confined to the room they came from. A whole-house air purifier addresses that by filtering air at the level of the HVAC system rather than room by room, extending clean air to every space the system serves. Getting the most from one comes down to matching it to your HVAC system's specifications, keeping the fan running consistently, and in homes where the system doesn't run continuously pairing it with a portable system in the rooms used most.

\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions

\n\n

Does a whole-house air purifier increase my energy bill?

Passive systems like the Perfect 16 Series use the HVAC system's existing blower rather than a separate motor, so they don't add meaningful electricity use on their own. A denser filter can slightly increase resistance in the ductwork, which is why systems designed for low pressure drop matter.

\n\n

Can I install a whole-house air purifier myself?

It's best installed by an HVAC professional, since it has to be matched to your system's airflow capacity and ductwork to avoid restricting performance.

\n\n

How is a whole-house air purifier different from a standard furnace filter?

A standard furnace filter is typically rated in the MERV 8–11 range and designed mainly to protect the HVAC equipment. A whole-house air purifier like the Perfect 16 Series is rated above MERV 16 and uses substantially more filter media, so it's built specifically to remove fine and ultrafine airborne particles rather than just larger debris.

\n\n

Do I still need air purifiers in individual rooms?

It depends on how often your HVAC system runs. If it cycles on and off throughout the day rather than running continuously, a portable system in a bedroom or other frequently used room can fill in the gaps between cycles.

\n\n

How often do whole-house air purifier filters need to be replaced?

This varies by system and how many hours the HVAC fan runs per day, so it's best to follow the manufacturer's guidance for your specific model rather than a fixed timeline.

","why-you-need-a-whole-house-air-purifier","gid://shopify/Article/997723505014","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/why-you-need-a-whole-house-air-purifier","2026-11-10T04:00:00Z",[545,493,585],"Why You Need a Whole-House Air Purifier",{"_50":581,"_206":-5,"_204":582,"_208":583,"_210":584},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/421462049142","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/WhyYouNeed_WholeHouse_MO.jpg?v=1793294126",840,700,"PerfectPro Series",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"India's air quality deteriorates every winter as stubble burning, temperature inversions, and urban emissions push AQI into unhealthy ranges across major cities. Learn more about the affected regions, causes, and when conditions may improve.","

India's air quality deteriorates every winter as stubble burning, temperature inversions, and urban emissions push AQI into unhealthy ranges across major cities. Learn more about the affected regions, causes, and when conditions may improve.

","Is the air quality good in India? As of November 10, 2026, air quality in India remains poor, with major cities experiencing air quality in the unhealthy to very unhealthy range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly. By 12:00 PM (Indian Standard Time, GMT+5:30), many urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 300, 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, India’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 48.9 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 134, classified as \"unhealthy for sensitive groups\". This level is nearly 9.8 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing India sixth globally in the 2025 World Air Quality Report. Air quality map of India and neighboring countries as of 12:00 PM (IST) on November 10, 2026. Source: IQAir. Which cities are affected by bad air quality in India? As of November 10, 2026, several major cities across India are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include: Agra Delhi Jaipur Kanpur Kolkata Lucknow Mumbai Patna Air quality conditions can change throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see India's air quality map. Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai ranked among the most polluted major cities globally as of 12:00 PM (IST), November 10, 2026. Source: IQAir. When will the air quality improve in India? As the monsoon withdraws in October, India's air quality enters its most challenging seasonal period. Temperature inversions and a shallow planetary boundary layer trap pollutants near the surface, sustaining poor to severe AQI categories across India from October through February. Short-term improvements depend on favorable weather, with winds and rain helping to disperse pollutants. Full relief will not arrive until the following monsoon season, and lasting improvement requires stronger policy enforcement and effective regulation of stubble burning. What is causing poor air quality in India? The root causes of air pollution in India include household emissions, power sector emissions, industrial activities, transportation, open burning of crops and waste, and dust, with household emissions contributing about 30 to 50% of ambient PM2.5 levels year-round (1). As autumn transitions into winter, stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana peaks between late October and mid-November, explaining 78% of Delhi's aerosol variance during this period (2). Post-monsoon temperature inversions intensify pollution further, with Diwali fireworks adding a sharp additional spike, pushing 80% of cities into severe or hazardous air quality categories on festival nights (3). How can I protect myself from poor air quality? Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.","

Is the air quality good in India?

As of November 10, 2026, air quality in India remains poor, with major cities experiencing air quality in the unhealthy to very unhealthy range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.

By 12:00 PM (Indian Standard Time, GMT+5:30), many urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 300, 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, India’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 48.9 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 134, classified as \"unhealthy for sensitive groups\". This level is nearly 9.8 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing India sixth globally in the 2025 World Air Quality Report.

$\"Air$ Air quality map of India and neighboring countries as of 12:00 PM (IST) on November 10, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Which cities are affected by bad air quality in India?

As of November 10, 2026, several major cities across India are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include:

Agra
Delhi
Jaipur
Kanpur
Kolkata
Lucknow
Mumbai
Patna

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

$\"Most$ Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai ranked among the most polluted major cities globally as of 12:00 PM (IST), November 10, 2026. Source: IQAir.

When will the air quality improve in India?

As the monsoon withdraws in October, India's air quality enters its most challenging seasonal period. Temperature inversions and a shallow planetary boundary layer trap pollutants near the surface, sustaining poor to severe AQI categories across India from October through February.

Short-term improvements depend on favorable weather, with winds and rain helping to disperse pollutants. Full relief will not arrive until the following monsoon season, and lasting improvement requires stronger policy enforcement and effective regulation of stubble burning.

What is causing poor air quality in India?

The root causes of air pollution in India include household emissions, power sector emissions, industrial activities, transportation, open burning of crops and waste, and dust, with household emissions contributing about 30 to 50% of ambient PM2.5 levels year-round (1).

As autumn transitions into winter, stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana peaks between late October and mid-November, explaining 78% of Delhi's aerosol variance during this period (2). Post-monsoon temperature inversions intensify pollution further, with Diwali fireworks adding a sharp additional spike, pushing 80% of cities into severe or hazardous air quality categories on festival nights (3).

How can I protect myself from poor air quality?

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

","india-air-quality-alert","gid://shopify/Article/999673004406","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/india-air-quality-alert","2026-11-10T07:07:28Z",[411,561],"India Air Quality Alert",{"_50":599,"_206":600,"_204":601,"_208":408,"_210":409},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/420848140662","A foggy, hazy view of India Gate in New Delhi. Several cyclists in bright yellow high-visibility jackets ride along the wide road leading toward the monument, with the arch barely visible through the thick smog.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/DelhiDesktop_6b288fdd-302c-4914-95d5-a86bfdada392.jpg?v=1794294404",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ranks among the most polluted major cities in the world as the winter heating season is underway. Find out more about air quality in Ulaanbaatar.","

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ranks among the most polluted major cities in the world as the winter heating season is underway. Find out more about air quality in Ulaanbaatar.

","Is the air quality good in Ulaanbaatar? On November 10, 2026, at 9:15 PM (local time), air quality in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, is poor with an AQI of 175, which falls within the \"unhealthy\" range. These conditions pose health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear a mask when outside, and use air purifiers indoors. Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Ulaanbaatar is ranked the 3rd most polluted major city in the world on Tuesday night. Click here for a real-time air quality map of Ulaanbaatar. While the air quality conditions today are poor, it is important to note that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for Ulaanbaatar was 17.9 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 63, which falls into the “moderate” category and was 3.5 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ranked as the 3rd most polluted major city on November 10, 2026, at 9:15 PM (local time). Source: IQAir. When will air quality improve in Ulaanbaatar? Air quality is forecast to improve to the moderate range by tomorrow. Hourly air quality forecast for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on November 10, 2026. Source: IQAir. However, seasonal pollution remains a concern. Research using observations from 2022 to 2024 documented higher PM2.5 and sulfur dioxide concentrations during winter, when heating demand increases (1). Air quality map of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on November 10, 2026. Source: IQAir. What is causing poor air quality in Ulaanbaatar? Coal burned for heating in households, particularly in the city's ger districts, is a major contributor to air pollution. Cold weather increases heating demand, while the city's location in a valley can make it harder for emissions to disperse (2). Vehicle emissions and other sources also contribute to pollution. A study of monitoring data found that fine particulate matter and sulfur dioxide levels generally increased during winter (3). Heating practices can also affect air inside homes. A study of traditional gers found that indoor air quality was affected by heating-related pollution (4). Several factors combine to raise pollution levels during the cold months: Household coal stoves: Ger districts are not connected to central heating, so homes burn coal briquettes at ground level, where smoke does not disperse well. Geography: The city sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, which traps emissions near the ground. Power and heating plants: Coal-fired combined heat and power plants supply the city's electricity and district heating. Vehicles: A growing number of vehicles, many of them more than 10 years old, add nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. A 2019 ban on raw coal and a switch to coal briquettes reduced particle pollution, but levels still exceed World Health Organization guidelines (5). 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 Ulaanbaatar?

On November 10, 2026, at 9:15 PM (local time), air quality in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, is poor with an AQI of 175, which falls within the \"unhealthy\" range.

These conditions pose health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear a mask when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.

Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Ulaanbaatar is ranked the 3rd most polluted major city in the world on Tuesday night.

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

While the air quality conditions today are poor, it is important to note that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for Ulaanbaatar was 17.9 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 63, which falls into the “moderate” category and was 3.5 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.

$\"\"$ Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ranked as the 3rd most polluted major city on November 10, 2026, at 9:15 PM (local time). Source: IQAir.

When will air quality improve in Ulaanbaatar?

Air quality is forecast to improve to the moderate range by tomorrow.

$\"\"$ Hourly air quality forecast for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on November 10, 2026. Source: IQAir.

However, seasonal pollution remains a concern. Research using observations from 2022 to 2024 documented higher PM2.5 and sulfur dioxide concentrations during winter, when heating demand increases (1).

$\"\"$ Air quality map of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on November 10, 2026. Source: IQAir.

What is causing poor air quality in Ulaanbaatar?

Coal burned for heating in households, particularly in the city's ger districts, is a major contributor to air pollution. Cold weather increases heating demand, while the city's location in a valley can make it harder for emissions to disperse (2).

Vehicle emissions and other sources also contribute to pollution. A study of monitoring data found that fine particulate matter and sulfur dioxide levels generally increased during winter (3).

Heating practices can also affect air inside homes. A study of traditional gers found that indoor air quality was affected by heating-related pollution (4).

Several factors combine to raise pollution levels during the cold months:

\nHousehold coal stoves: Ger districts are not connected to central heating, so homes burn coal briquettes at ground level, where smoke does not disperse well.
\nGeography: The city sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, which traps emissions near the ground.
\nPower and heating plants: Coal-fired combined heat and power plants supply the city's electricity and district heating.
\nVehicles: A growing number of vehicles, many of them more than 10 years old, add nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

A 2019 ban on raw coal and a switch to coal briquettes reduced particle pollution, but levels still exceed World Health Organization guidelines (5).

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.
\nContribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
\n
Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
\n
\nRun a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
\n

","ulaanbaatar-among-top-10-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world-11-10-2026","gid://shopify/Article/1003896340854","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/ulaanbaatar-among-top-10-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world-11-10-2026","2026-11-10T13:18:36Z",[411,561],"November 10, 2026: Ulaanbaatar among top 10 most polluted cities in the world",{"_50":615,"_206":-5,"_204":616,"_208":408,"_210":409},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/421792022902","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/UlaanBaatarDesktop.jpg?v=1794317946",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"The United Nations Climate Change Conference is approaching, with new themes and key topics for 2026. Learn how air quality plays a role in the climate discussion.","

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is approaching, with new themes and key topics for 2026. Learn how air quality plays a role in the climate discussion.

","As world leaders and activists meet in Antalya, Turkey, for COP31, one key environmental issue deserves the spotlight in the climate conversation: the air we breathe. Air pollution is one of the world's greatest environmental health threats, contributing to about 7 million premature deaths each year. It also shares many of the same sources as climate change, from fossil fuel combustion to waste and industrial emissions. Yet the two problems are still too often addressed separately. Taking place November 9–20, 2026, COP31 is the United Nations Climate Change Conference, with a mission to translate climate commitments into practical action (1). The COP31 agenda includes 10 priority themes, 6 global targets, and 11 initiatives ranging from environmental policies and methane reduction to renewable energy. COP31 is also the first UN Climate Change Conference to feature clean air and public health as explicit key topics in its discussions. As air quality and human health concerns take center stage in the climate discussion, COP31 offers an opportunity to turn that connection into concrete environmental action. Breathing polluted air Air pollution affects people in every region, although its sources and severity vary. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world's population breathes air that exceeds its recommended guideline limits (2). Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, is a leading risk factor for premature death. These tiny airborne particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease, respiratory illness, and lung cancer. Because the particles are so small, they can pose a serious health risk even when the air looks clear. Across South and East Asia, seasonal pollution episodes driven by unfavorable weather conditions and coal burning can push concentrations to unhealthy levels, exposing millions of people to polluted air (3). Meanwhile, communities in North America and Europe increasingly face smoke risks from wildfires, which can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles from their source (4). In Sub-Saharan Africa, limited monitoring networks can make it difficult to measure the full scale of the problem. Rapid urban growth increases emissions from transport, industry, and household energy use (5). A 2022 study found that more than 90% of hazardous fine particulate matter measured around the Arabian Peninsula was attributable to human activities (6). These particles were distinct from the coarser ones commonly associated with desert dust. Climate change adds another layer to this challenge. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and more intense or prolonged wildfire conditions can worsen air quality. Heat can also increase the formation of certain pollutants, while stagnant weather can trap emissions close to the ground. As climate change alters atmospheric conditions, air pollution can become more severe, while the activities that release pollutants continue to raise global temperatures. Why clean air belongs in climate policy Air pollution and climate change affect the world in different ways, but their shared pollutant sources intertwine the two environmental issues. Addressing those sources together can deliver benefits on both fronts: slowing climate change and improving the air people breathe. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and also contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant harmful to human health and crops. Black carbon, a component of soot produced by incomplete combustion, contributes to warming and can damage the lungs and cardiovascular system. Reducing these pollutants can slow climate warming while delivering faster health benefits and cleaner air to regional communities. Fixing methane leaks from oil and gas operations, improving waste management, and shifting to clean, renewable energy can help limit harmful pollution. Electrifying transport, buildings, and industry can reduce pollution from exhaust pipes, heating systems, and industrial equipment. But the health benefits depend on how that electricity is generated. Replacing fossil fuels with electricity from cleaner sources, including wind and solar, offers a stronger route to cutting both greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. To address pollutant emissions, COP31's proposed 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge aims to increase electricity's share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035 (7). Through the, COP31 connects global leaders and businesses with action plans for a cleaner energy system. From climate commitments to practical action COP31 continues to build on previous projects from COP30, reinforcing long-term goals and policies for emissions reductions, such as the Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator (8). At COP30, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition launched the Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator, a three-year program designed to help participating countries reduce emissions of methane, black carbon, and other powerful climate pollutants. The program supports governments in coordinating national action and turning plans into practical projects. Alongside the program, methane satellite monitoring makes it possible to track climate pollutants and measure progress. Together, these efforts provide a foundation for COP31 to strengthen cooperation on the sources of both climate change and harmful air pollution. Turkey's COP31 Action Agenda places Zero Waste among its priority themes, with a focus on reducing methane emissions from waste. Improving waste collection, separating organic materials, and capturing landfill gas can reduce emissions while helping communities manage growing waste volumes. National climate plans also have a role to play. Countries can strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by including measures to reduce methane and black carbon, improve waste management, and accelerate clean energy (9). International cooperation is essential to making these measures work at scale. Global conferences and partnerships can help countries share technical knowledge, access resources, and develop policies suited to their circumstances. Making climate plans stick Reducing emissions is only part of the solution. Long-term environmental improvements rely on collective action, reformed government policies, and global initiatives to ensure climate plans are implemented effectively and deliver steady progress. From public health considerations to international air monitoring, these practices can include: Environmental policies: Commit to reduced methane reduction plans, set standards for clean energy use, and monitor waste-related methane emissions. Global mechanisms: Expand Global Methane Pledge participation, contribute to international air quality monitoring networks, and support climate initiatives such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. Public protection: Deploy ultrafine air filtration to reduce environmental health risks, monitor local air quality for pollutant awareness, and provide safeguards for vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers. Early-warning systems and climate monitors are equally important. Forecasts and timely alerts can help communities prepare for wildfire smoke, severe pollution episodes, and dust events. Healthcare facilities can use this information to prepare for increased demand, while schools and childcare centers can make informed decisions about outdoor activities and indoor air protection. COP31 brings these issues together at a moment when governments face growing pressure to show that climate commitments can improve people's lives. Its emphasis on implementation provides an opportunity to connect international pledges with the everyday experience of breathing clean air. Conclusion COP31 offers an opportunity to bring clean air closer to the center of global climate action. As world leaders gather in Antalya, the challenge will be turning ambitious commitments into practical policies. But the growing recognition of the link between air quality, climate change, and public health is an important step forward. Progress does not have to wait for long-term climate targets to be met. Reducing methane emissions and strengthening air quality monitoring can deliver meaningful health benefits today while supporting a more sustainable future. A healthier environment starts with practical steps taken together. If COP31 can help turn shared goals into lasting action, the benefits could reach far beyond Antalya — bringing cleaner air, healthier communities, and a more hopeful outlook for generations to come.","

As world leaders and activists meet in Antalya, Turkey, for COP31, one key environmental issue deserves the spotlight in the climate conversation: the air we breathe.

Air pollution is one of the world's greatest environmental health threats, contributing to about 7 million premature deaths each year. It also shares many of the same sources as climate change, from fossil fuel combustion to waste and industrial emissions. Yet the two problems are still too often addressed separately.

Taking place November 9–20, 2026, COP31 is the United Nations Climate Change Conference, with a mission to translate climate commitments into practical action (1). The COP31 agenda includes 10 priority themes, 6 global targets, and 11 initiatives ranging from environmental policies and methane reduction to renewable energy. COP31 is also the first UN Climate Change Conference to feature clean air and public health as explicit key topics in its discussions.

As air quality and human health concerns take center stage in the climate discussion, COP31 offers an opportunity to turn that connection into concrete environmental action.

Breathing polluted air

Air pollution affects people in every region, although its sources and severity vary. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world's population breathes air that exceeds its recommended guideline limits (2).

Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, is a leading risk factor for premature death. These tiny airborne particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease, respiratory illness, and lung cancer. Because the particles are so small, they can pose a serious health risk even when the air looks clear.

Across South and East Asia, seasonal pollution episodes driven by unfavorable weather conditions and coal burning can push concentrations to unhealthy levels, exposing millions of people to polluted air (3). Meanwhile, communities in North America and Europe increasingly face smoke risks from wildfires, which can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles from their source (4).

In Sub-Saharan Africa, limited monitoring networks can make it difficult to measure the full scale of the problem. Rapid urban growth increases emissions from transport, industry, and household energy use (5).

A 2022 study found that more than 90% of hazardous fine particulate matter measured around the Arabian Peninsula was attributable to human activities (6). These particles were distinct from the coarser ones commonly associated with desert dust.

Climate change adds another layer to this challenge. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and more intense or prolonged wildfire conditions can worsen air quality. Heat can also increase the formation of certain pollutants, while stagnant weather can trap emissions close to the ground.

As climate change alters atmospheric conditions, air pollution can become more severe, while the activities that release pollutants continue to raise global temperatures.

Why clean air belongs in climate policy

Air pollution and climate change affect the world in different ways, but their shared pollutant sources intertwine the two environmental issues. Addressing those sources together can deliver benefits on both fronts: slowing climate change and improving the air people breathe.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and also contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant harmful to human health and crops. Black carbon, a component of soot produced by incomplete combustion, contributes to warming and can damage the lungs and cardiovascular system.

Reducing these pollutants can slow climate warming while delivering faster health benefits and cleaner air to regional communities. Fixing methane leaks from oil and gas operations, improving waste management, and shifting to clean, renewable energy can help limit harmful pollution.

Electrifying transport, buildings, and industry can reduce pollution from exhaust pipes, heating systems, and industrial equipment. But the health benefits depend on how that electricity is generated. Replacing fossil fuels with electricity from cleaner sources, including wind and solar, offers a stronger route to cutting both greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

To address pollutant emissions, COP31's proposed 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge aims to increase electricity's share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035 (7). Through the, COP31 connects global leaders and businesses with action plans for a cleaner energy system.

From climate commitments to practical action

COP31 continues to build on previous projects from COP30, reinforcing long-term goals and policies for emissions reductions, such as the Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator (8).

At COP30, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition launched the Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator, a three-year program designed to help participating countries reduce emissions of methane, black carbon, and other powerful climate pollutants. The program supports governments in coordinating national action and turning plans into practical projects.

Alongside the program, methane satellite monitoring makes it possible to track climate pollutants and measure progress. Together, these efforts provide a foundation for COP31 to strengthen cooperation on the sources of both climate change and harmful air pollution.

Turkey's COP31 Action Agenda places Zero Waste among its priority themes, with a focus on reducing methane emissions from waste. Improving waste collection, separating organic materials, and capturing landfill gas can reduce emissions while helping communities manage growing waste volumes.

National climate plans also have a role to play. Countries can strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by including measures to reduce methane and black carbon, improve waste management, and accelerate clean energy (9).

International cooperation is essential to making these measures work at scale. Global conferences and partnerships can help countries share technical knowledge, access resources, and develop policies suited to their circumstances.

Making climate plans stick

Reducing emissions is only part of the solution. Long-term environmental improvements rely on collective action, reformed government policies, and global initiatives to ensure climate plans are implemented effectively and deliver steady progress. From public health considerations to international air monitoring, these practices can include:

\nEnvironmental policies: Commit to reduced methane reduction plans, set standards for clean energy use, and monitor waste-related methane emissions.
\nGlobal mechanisms: Expand Global Methane Pledge participation, contribute to international air quality monitoring networks, and support climate initiatives such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.
\nPublic protection: Deploy ultrafine air filtration to reduce environmental health risks, monitor local air quality for pollutant awareness, and provide safeguards for vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers.

Early-warning systems and climate monitors are equally important. Forecasts and timely alerts can help communities prepare for wildfire smoke, severe pollution episodes, and dust events. Healthcare facilities can use this information to prepare for increased demand, while schools and childcare centers can make informed decisions about outdoor activities and indoor air protection.

COP31 brings these issues together at a moment when governments face growing pressure to show that climate commitments can improve people's lives. Its emphasis on implementation provides an opportunity to connect international pledges with the everyday experience of breathing clean air.

Conclusion

COP31 offers an opportunity to bring clean air closer to the center of global climate action. As world leaders gather in Antalya, the challenge will be turning ambitious commitments into practical policies. But the growing recognition of the link between air quality, climate change, and public health is an important step forward.

Progress does not have to wait for long-term climate targets to be met. Reducing methane emissions and strengthening air quality monitoring can deliver meaningful health benefits today while supporting a more sustainable future.

A healthier environment starts with practical steps taken together. If COP31 can help turn shared goals into lasting action, the benefits could reach far beyond Antalya — bringing cleaner air, healthier communities, and a more hopeful outlook for generations to come.

","cop31-why-air-quality-is-key-to-climate-health","gid://shopify/Article/1003838341494","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/cop31-why-air-quality-is-key-to-climate-health","2026-11-10T18:51:56Z",[411,561,493,513],"COP31: Why air quality is key to climate health",{"_50":630,"_206":631,"_204":632,"_208":475,"_210":476},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/421650563446","Cities and industrial smoke clouds the sky","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Article_COP31_Desk.jpg?v=1793997699",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"China’s air quality deteriorates every winter as coal-fired heating, temperature inversions, and industrial emissions push PM2.5 into unhealthy ranges. Learn more about the affected regions, causes, and when conditions may improve.","

China’s air quality deteriorates every winter as coal-fired heating, temperature inversions, and industrial emissions push PM2.5 into unhealthy ranges. Learn more about the affected regions, causes, and when conditions may improve.

","Is the air quality good in China? As of November 11, 2026, air quality is poor in parts of China, with major cities experiencing air quality in the unhealthy range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly. By 2:30 PM (Chinese Standard Time, GMT+8), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 200, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors. While conditions remain poor, China’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 29.6 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 87, classified as \"moderate\". This level is nearly 5.92 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing China among the world’s 20 most polluted countries in 2025. Air quality map of China and neighboring countries as of 2:30 PM (CST) on November 11, 2026. Source: IQAir. Which cities are affected by bad air quality in China? On November 11, 2026, several major cities across China are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include: Chengdu Daqing Harbin Jiamusi Kashgar Qinhuangdao Qiqihar Shanghai Xi'an Yinchuan Air quality conditions can change throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see China's air quality map. Shanghai and Chengdu ranked among the most polluted major cities globally as of 2:30 PM (CST) on November 11, 2026. Source: IQAir. When will the air quality improve in China? China’s PM2.5 concentrations follow a well-documented U-shaped seasonal pattern, peaking in winter from December through February and reaching their lowest point in summer. This seasonal deterioration typically begins in October, as autumn cooling and increasing stagnation begin to raise air pollution across China ahead of the official coal-fired heating season starting November (1). Short-term improvement depends on wind, rain, and stronger atmospheric mixing. Lasting progress depends on continued enforcement of China’s clean energy transition and emission controls (2). What is causing poor air quality in China? The root causes of air pollution in China include dependence on fossil fuels, coal combustion, biomass burning, traffic and waste incineration emissions, industrial pollution, and soil dust, with coal and other fossil fuels exploited despite renewable investments (3). As temperatures drop, residential coal combustion becomes the dominant driver of PM2.5 across China, contributing approximately 46% of concentrations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Temperature inversions and air stagnation further trap emissions from coal-fired power plants, industrial zones, and vehicle exhaust near the surface, amplifying pollution across major cities (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 November 11, 2026, air quality is poor in parts of China, with major cities experiencing air quality in the unhealthy range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.

By 2:30 PM (Chinese Standard Time, GMT+8), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 200, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.

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

$\"Air$ Air quality map of China and neighboring countries as of 2:30 PM (CST) on November 11, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Which cities are affected by bad air quality in China?

On November 11, 2026, several major cities across China are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include:

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

$\"Most$ Shanghai and Chengdu ranked among the most polluted major cities globally as of 2:30 PM (CST) on November 11, 2026. Source: IQAir.

When will the air quality improve in China?

China’s PM2.5 concentrations follow a well-documented U-shaped seasonal pattern, peaking in winter from December through February and reaching their lowest point in summer. This seasonal deterioration typically begins in October, as autumn cooling and increasing stagnation begin to raise air pollution across China ahead of the official coal-fired heating season starting November (1).

Short-term improvement depends on wind, rain, and stronger atmospheric mixing. Lasting progress depends on continued enforcement of China’s clean energy transition and emission controls (2).

What is causing poor air quality in China?

The root causes of air pollution in China include dependence on fossil fuels, coal combustion, biomass burning, traffic and waste incineration emissions, industrial pollution, and soil dust, with coal and other fossil fuels exploited despite renewable investments (3).

As temperatures drop, residential coal combustion becomes the dominant driver of PM2.5 across China, contributing approximately 46% of concentrations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Temperature inversions and air stagnation further trap emissions from coal-fired power plants, industrial zones, and vehicle exhaust near the surface, amplifying pollution across major cities (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","2026-11-11T06:54:25Z",[411,561],"China Air Quality Alert",{"_50":646,"_206":647,"_204":648,"_208":408,"_210":409},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/415039652214","Aerial view of a traditional temple complex surrounded by dense greenery. Several buildings with red and orange tiled roofs are partially obscured by thick haze, reducing visibility across the landscape.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/BeijingDesktop_d39ae4b6-7a1a-4abe-8415-9345b4efd9b8.jpg?v=1794380022",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"Find out more about Washington’s Three Queens and King fires, including containment and evacuations.","

Find out more about Washington’s Three Queens and King fires, including containment and evacuations.

","What are the names and locations of the wildfires? As of November 11, 2026, the Three Queens Fire and King Fire are burning in Kittitas County, Washington. Firefighting operations for the Three Queens Fire extend around Kachess Lake, Cle Elum Lake, Cooper Lake, and Box Canyon Creek (1). The King Fire is also burning in Kittitas County, where crews are monitoring for potential southward spread and maintaining existing control lines to protect nearby communities (2). Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfires? The cities and areas affected by the Three Queens and King fires include: Baker Lane Box Canyon Creek Cle Elum Lake area Cooper Lake area Kachess Campground Kachess Lake area Kittitas County What is the current containment status of the wildfires? As of November 11, 2026, the Three Queens Fire has burned 9,582.3 acres and is 95% contained. Crews are reinforcing containment lines and protecting structures near Kachess Campground and Baker Lane. The King Fire has burned 3,464.5 acres and is 95% contained. Recent rain and high humidity have reduced fire activity, but heavy dead vegetation continues to burn and smolder. Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders, Level 2 (Set) warnings, and Level 1 (Ready) notices are in effect for areas of Kittitas County due to the Three Queens Fire. Residents in Level 3 zones must leave immediately. Those in Level 2 zones should be ready to leave at short notice, while those in Level 1 zones should prepare for possible evacuation. Masks are available at Kittitas County Public Health, 507 N Nanum Street, Suite 102, in Ellensburg, and Upper Kittitas County District Court, 700 E 1st Street, in Cle Elum. 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 November 11, 2026,The Three Queens Fire is 95% contained.The King Fire is 95% contained.","

What are the names and locations of the wildfires?

As of November 11, 2026, the Three Queens Fire and King Fire are burning in Kittitas County, Washington. Firefighting operations for the Three Queens Fire extend around Kachess Lake, Cle Elum Lake, Cooper Lake, and Box Canyon Creek (1).

The King Fire is also burning in Kittitas County, where crews are monitoring for potential southward spread and maintaining existing control lines to protect nearby communities (2).

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfires?

The cities and areas affected by the Three Queens and King fires include:

Baker Lane
Box Canyon Creek
Cle Elum Lake area
Cooper Lake area
Kachess Campground
Kachess Lake area
Kittitas County

What is the current containment status of the wildfires?

As of November 11, 2026, the Three Queens Fire has burned 9,582.3 acres and is 95% contained. Crews are reinforcing containment lines and protecting structures near Kachess Campground and Baker Lane.

The King Fire has burned 3,464.5 acres and is 95% contained. Recent rain and high humidity have reduced fire activity, but heavy dead vegetation continues to burn and smolder.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders, Level 2 (Set) warnings, and Level 1 (Ready) notices are in effect for areas of Kittitas County due to the Three Queens Fire.

Residents in Level 3 zones must leave immediately. Those in Level 2 zones should be ready to leave at short notice, while those in Level 1 zones should prepare for possible evacuation.

Masks are available at Kittitas County Public Health, 507 N Nanum Street, Suite 102, in Ellensburg, and Upper Kittitas County District Court, 700 E 1st Street, in Cle Elum.

\n\n

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

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

As of November 11, 2026,
The Three Queens Fire is 95% contained.
The King Fire is 95% contained.

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

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

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

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

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

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

UDS Pharmacy becomes a local air quality hub

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

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

Making neighborhood air visible in real time

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

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

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

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

Turning outdoor conditions into indoor context

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

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

Scaling awareness through community participation

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

","revealing-the-invisible-uds-pharmacy-hanoi-vietnam","gid://shopify/Article/1000604729718","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-uds-pharmacy-hanoi-vietnam","2026-03-25T16:57:45Z",[14,442],"Revealing the Invisible: UDS Pharmacy in Hanoi, Vietnam",{"_50":723,"_206":-5,"_204":724,"_208":408,"_210":409},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414233100662","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/A_1392f999-bb9a-47aa-95a4-6a7f6d971ac4.jpg?v=1775578151",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"See how three pivotal studies changed what the world knows about air pollution—and why that science still matters today.","

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

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

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

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

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

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

1930-1952: Deadly fogs spark modern air quality research

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The takeaway

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

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

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

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

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

","how-three-major-studies-changed-what-we-know-about-air-pollution","gid://shopify/Article/1000884961654","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/how-three-major-studies-changed-what-we-know-about-air-pollution","2026-04-06T16:31:58Z",[411,14,513],"How three major studies changed what we know about air pollution",{"_50":738,"_206":-5,"_204":739,"_208":475,"_210":476},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/415904137590","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Blog-D-839x674_c7f1c191-8287-461f-8bc7-aead117d0875.jpg?v=1779899618",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"See how Cameroon’s campus-based air quality monitoring is helping students, teachers, and communities make invisible pollution visible.","

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

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

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

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

Why a school was the right place to begin

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

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

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

Turning invisible pollution into something students can see

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

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

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

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

Filling a major monitoring gap in Cameroon

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

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

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

The local partnership driving the project

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

A first step with wider meaning

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

","revealing-the-invisible-campus-air-quality-monitoring-cameroon","gid://shopify/Article/1000900952438","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-campus-air-quality-monitoring-cameroon","2026-04-22T17:38:02Z",[14,442],"Revealing the Invisible: Campus air quality monitoring in Cameroon",{"_50":753,"_206":-5,"_204":754,"_208":755,"_210":756},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/415134613878","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Cameroon_FCS_Desktop2_f1213952-4847-485f-9883-edfb9d637c2f.jpg?v=1777999712",1748,1404,{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"Everyone can do their part to prevent air pollution. Learn about 5 citizen scientists who are reshaping air quality in their own communities.","

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

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

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

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

Kenya’s data pioneer for East Africa

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

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

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

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

Milwaukee’s air quality crusader

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

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

Transforming Iraq’s air quality landscape

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

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

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

\n\n\n

Unveiling the secrets of Antarctic skies

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

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

Uzbekistan’s retail revolution for clean air

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

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

Join the movement

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

What local governments and communities can do

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

What individuals can do

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

Conclusion

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

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

","clean-air-starts-with-communities-5-advocates-leading-the-way","gid://shopify/Article/1001030254966","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/clean-air-starts-with-communities-5-advocates-leading-the-way","2026-04-27T06:00:01Z",[411,14],"5 Clean air advocates leading the way",{"_50":770,"_206":771,"_204":772,"_208":475,"_210":476},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414879613302","Clean air advocates","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Blog_CleanAirCommunity_Desk2_be3f599e-e9a5-4b39-ab35-67306bb3b9e8.jpg?v=1777309824",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"See how EarthMuseum is teaching the next generation how to monitor air quality and address air pollution through data.","

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learning that starts with context

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

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

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

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

Working with data from their own environment

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

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

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

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

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

Comparing across locations

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

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

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

Understanding how air quality data is created

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

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

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

From observation to response

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

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

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

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

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

Building a connected model

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

","earthmuseum-learn-connects-classrooms-through-air-quality-data","gid://shopify/Article/1001319891318","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/earthmuseum-learn-connects-classrooms-through-air-quality-data","2026-05-11T06:00:04Z",[14,442],"Revealing the Invisible: EarthMuseum Learn connects classrooms through air quality data",{"_50":786,"_206":787,"_204":788,"_208":475,"_210":476},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/415648514422","Students participating in an EarthMuseum Learn classroom activity.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Article_EarthMuseum_D_259f0f89-8abc-4354-ac81-bb04a967db97.jpg?v=1779292791",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"Home to millions of residents, five cities stood out as the most polluted major cities in the world for 2025 – find out which ones and why.","

Home to millions of residents, five cities stood out as the most polluted major cities in the world for 2025 – find out which ones and why.

","The 2025 World Air Quality Report reveals the persistent global challenge posed by high concentrations of air pollution. Unhealthy air remains a daily reality for residents in some of the world’s most polluted urban centers. Tens of millions of people live in these cities and are exposed to elevated risks of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions over time (1). Many residents in these cities also face economic and social challenges that can compound the effects of long-term exposure to air pollution, challenges that are further compounded by exposure to industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, agricultural burning, and inadequate regulatory enforcement. Air pollution is an unequal burden for these residents, and for particularly vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, like asthma. 5. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), ranked fifth among the world’s most polluted major cities in 2025. With an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 50.2 µg/m3, the city’s air quality remains in the hazardous air quality range as it has in prior years, continuing to pose serious health risks to city residents.Air quality in Kinshasa, DRC on April 20, 2026. Source: IQAir. Air pollution in Kinshasa can come from both indoor and outdoor sources. Indoor cooking with wood and charcoal, a common practice in many households, contributes significantly to airborne particulate matter. Forest fires, often linked to agricultural clearing and land management, release clouds of smoke into the atmosphere. Industrial activities and regional agricultural burning also contribute to poor air quality, compounded by limited regulatory oversight and enforcement. One of the biggest challenges to mitigating pollution is the lack of reliable air quality monitoring infrastructure in the DRC. While some monitoring stations exist, the DRC—like much of Africa—lacks the comprehensive networks needed to accurately track pollution levels and inform public health responses. 4. Kolkata, India Kolkata, India, was one of the world’s most polluted urban centers in 2025. With an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 51 µg/m3, it’s the city’s worst average since 2021’s annual average of 59 µg/m3.This change reflects regional trends, where rapid industrialization, vehicular emissions, and seasonal agricultural burning frequently create a haze that lingers over the city for much of the year. Air quality in Kolkata, India on April 21, 2026. Source: IQAir. Kolkata’s air pollution sources are deeply rooted in both local and regional activities. Vehicle emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and unregulated waste burning add to the burden (2). During the winter months, crop residue burning in neighboring states and across the Indo-Gangetic Plain compounds the problem. 3. Dhaka, Bangladesh Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, returned as the world’s third most polluted major city in 2025, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 68 µg/m3. While Dhaka has experienced an improvement in average annual PM2.5 over 2024 and 2023 (measuring annual average concentrations of 78 and 80.2 µg/m3 respectively), its air quality remains far above safe levels. Persistent air quality challenges continue to affect residents’ health. Exposure to PM2.5, particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller, has been linked to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, stroke, and cancer (3). Air quality in Dhaka, Bangladesh on April 22, 2026. Source: IQAir. Informal brick kilns, which number in the thousands across Bangladesh, contributes an estimated 11% of the nation’s PM2.5 emissions and an additional 17% of its carbon dioxide (4). An estimated 6,000 premature deaths can be attributed to brick kiln air pollutants despite government efforts to shut down illegal operations and promote cleaner technologies like zigzag kilns. Industrial activity and diesel generators further impact air quality, while seasonal crop burning in rural areas adds to the city’s winter smog (5). Vehicle emissions, driven by a growing number of cars and buses on Dhaka’s streets, are also a major source of airborne pollutants. 2. Lahore, Pakistan Pakistan’s cultural and economic hub, Lahore, is again ranked the world’s second most polluted major city, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 88.9 µg/m3. While the PM2.5 concentration is an improvement over 2024’s average annual PM2.5 concentration of 102.1 µg/m3, the city’s high average contributed to Pakistan ranking as the most polluted country in 2025. The health impact from exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 is significant; 70% of Pakistanis report smog-related health issues (6). Air quality in Lahore, Pakistan on April 20, 2026. Source: IQAir. Seasonal crop burning in Punjab Province blankets Lahore in thick smog. Vehicular emissions, exacerbated by an aging fleet and weak enforcement of emission standards, contribute significantly to the problem. Industrial activity, dust from construction and brick kilns, many of which operate without pollution controls, further degrade air quality (7)(8). 1. Delhi, India Delhi, India’s sprawling capital and one of the most populous cities in the world, has again topped the list of the most polluted major cities. With an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 99.6 µg/m3, its residents are exposed to to high levels of pollution on a near-daily basis. The city’s 2025 average is a modest improvement over both 2024 and 2023 whose average annual PM2.5 concentrations were 108.3 and 102.16 µg/m3 respectively. However, it’s still an average that is well into the hazardous air quality range. Air quality in Delhi, India on April 20, 2026. Source: IQAir. Delhi’s air pollution is caused by a combination of factors. Regional crop burning, particularly in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana, sends plumes of smoke into Delhi’s atmosphere every winter, creating a thick haze (9). Vehicular emissions, driven by millions of cars, trucks, and motorcycles—many of which operate on outdated technology—continue to serve as a major contributor (10). Coal-fired power plants, industrial emissions, and landfill fires further degrade air quality, while construction dust and unmanaged waste burning add to the burden. Same cities, too few changes Despite Kolkata, India replacing Karachi, Pakistan among the top five most polluted major cities in 2024, the other four major cities were all listed in 2024. Though they demonstrated some small air quality improvements over the prior year, Delhi, Lahore, and Dhaka all mirrored their top three positions in the 2024 listing. Their return as the three most polluted cities reflects the struggle residents and activists face in improving air quality outcomes. Because of the nearly year-round intensity of air pollution in all five cities, it is common to see them ranking among the most polluted major cities daily. Air quality in Delhi, India on April 20, 2026. Source: IQAir. Pathways to cleaner air Air pollution poses elevated health risks, but there are practical ways to reduce exposure and improve air quality in major cities. Here’s how air quality can be improved: What governments can do Strengthen air quality standards and enforce pollution control measures to create healthier urban environments. Invest in public transportation and promote renewable energy sources to reduce emissions. Implement stricter regulations on industrial and vehicular emissions. Expand air quality monitoring networks to inform policy decisions and public health strategies. What communities can do Support programs, such as Schools4Earth, to create healthier environments for vulnerable populations. Participate in community-driven data collection efforts to raise awareness and address pollution sources. What individuals can do Opt for sustainable transportation options like walking, biking, or public transit to lower emissions. Use energy-efficient appliances and indoor air purification systems to reduce personal exposure. Monitor air quality to help improve community air quality awareness. Access real-time air quality information to make informed decisions, especially on high-pollution days. Run an air purifier when air quality is poor. Wear a snug-fitting face mask outdoors on days when air pollution is severe. Conclusion Understanding and tackling urban air pollution starts with reliable, accessible data. Yet, in many parts of the world, comprehensive air quality monitoring remains limited or non-existent. Communities with access to real-time air quality information are better equipped to make informed decisions to protect their health, advocate for stronger policies and enforcement, and address pollution at its source. By expanding monitoring networks globally, individuals are empowered to improve public health and create cleaner, safer cities for everyone.","

The 2025 World Air Quality Report reveals the persistent global challenge posed by high concentrations of air pollution.

Unhealthy air remains a daily reality for residents in some of the world’s most polluted urban centers. Tens of millions of people live in these cities and are exposed to elevated risks of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions over time (1).

Many residents in these cities also face economic and social challenges that can compound the effects of long-term exposure to air pollution, challenges that are further compounded by exposure to industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, agricultural burning, and inadequate regulatory enforcement. Air pollution is an unequal burden for these residents, and for particularly vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, like asthma.

5. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), ranked fifth among the world’s most polluted major cities in 2025. With an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 50.2 µg/m3, the city’s air quality remains in the hazardous air quality range as it has in prior years, continuing to pose serious health risks to city residents.

$\"\"$
Air quality in Kinshasa, DRC on April 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Air pollution in Kinshasa can come from both indoor and outdoor sources. Indoor cooking with wood and charcoal, a common practice in many households, contributes significantly to airborne particulate matter. Forest fires, often linked to agricultural clearing and land management, release clouds of smoke into the atmosphere. Industrial activities and regional agricultural burning also contribute to poor air quality, compounded by limited regulatory oversight and enforcement.

One of the biggest challenges to mitigating pollution is the lack of reliable air quality monitoring infrastructure in the DRC. While some monitoring stations exist, the DRC—like much of Africa—lacks the comprehensive networks needed to accurately track pollution levels and inform public health responses.

4. Kolkata, India

Kolkata, India, was one of the world’s most polluted urban centers in 2025. With an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 51 µg/m3, it’s the city’s worst average since 2021’s annual average of 59 µg/m3.

This change reflects regional trends, where rapid industrialization, vehicular emissions, and seasonal agricultural burning frequently create a haze that lingers over the city for much of the year.

$\"\"$ Air quality in Kolkata, India on April 21, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Kolkata’s air pollution sources are deeply rooted in both local and regional activities. Vehicle emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and unregulated waste burning add to the burden (2). During the winter months, crop residue burning in neighboring states and across the Indo-Gangetic Plain compounds the problem.

3. Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, returned as the world’s third most polluted major city in 2025, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 68 µg/m3.

While Dhaka has experienced an improvement in average annual PM2.5 over 2024 and 2023 (measuring annual average concentrations of 78 and 80.2 µg/m3 respectively), its air quality remains far above safe levels.

Persistent air quality challenges continue to affect residents’ health. Exposure to PM2.5, particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller, has been linked to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, stroke, and cancer (3).

$\"\"$ Air quality in Dhaka, Bangladesh on April 22, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Informal brick kilns, which number in the thousands across Bangladesh, contributes an estimated 11% of the nation’s PM2.5 emissions and an additional 17% of its carbon dioxide (4). An estimated 6,000 premature deaths can be attributed to brick kiln air pollutants despite government efforts to shut down illegal operations and promote cleaner technologies like zigzag kilns. Industrial activity and diesel generators further impact air quality, while seasonal crop burning in rural areas adds to the city’s winter smog (5). Vehicle emissions, driven by a growing number of cars and buses on Dhaka’s streets, are also a major source of airborne pollutants.

2. Lahore, Pakistan

Pakistan’s cultural and economic hub, Lahore, is again ranked the world’s second most polluted major city, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 88.9 µg/m3.

While the PM2.5 concentration is an improvement over 2024’s average annual PM2.5 concentration of 102.1 µg/m3, the city’s high average contributed to Pakistan ranking as the most polluted country in 2025. The health impact from exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 is significant; 70% of Pakistanis report smog-related health issues (6).

$\"\"$ Air quality in Lahore, Pakistan on April 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Seasonal crop burning in Punjab Province blankets Lahore in thick smog. Vehicular emissions, exacerbated by an aging fleet and weak enforcement of emission standards, contribute significantly to the problem. Industrial activity, dust from construction and brick kilns, many of which operate without pollution controls, further degrade air quality (7)(8).

1. Delhi, India

Delhi, India’s sprawling capital and one of the most populous cities in the world, has again topped the list of the most polluted major cities. With an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 99.6 µg/m3, its residents are exposed to to high levels of pollution on a near-daily basis.

The city’s 2025 average is a modest improvement over both 2024 and 2023 whose average annual PM2.5 concentrations were 108.3 and 102.16 µg/m3 respectively. However, it’s still an average that is well into the hazardous air quality range.

$\"\"$ Air quality in Delhi, India on April 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Delhi’s air pollution is caused by a combination of factors. Regional crop burning, particularly in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana, sends plumes of smoke into Delhi’s atmosphere every winter, creating a thick haze (9). Vehicular emissions, driven by millions of cars, trucks, and motorcycles—many of which operate on outdated technology—continue to serve as a major contributor (10). Coal-fired power plants, industrial emissions, and landfill fires further degrade air quality, while construction dust and unmanaged waste burning add to the burden.

Same cities, too few changes

Despite Kolkata, India replacing Karachi, Pakistan among the top five most polluted major cities in 2024, the other four major cities were all listed in 2024. Though they demonstrated some small air quality improvements over the prior year, Delhi, Lahore, and Dhaka all mirrored their top three positions in the 2024 listing. Their return as the three most polluted cities reflects the struggle residents and activists face in improving air quality outcomes.

Because of the nearly year-round intensity of air pollution in all five cities, it is common to see them ranking among the most polluted major cities daily.

$\"\"$ Air quality in Delhi, India on April 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.

\nPathways to cleaner air

Air pollution poses elevated health risks, but there are practical ways to reduce exposure and improve air quality in major cities. Here’s how air quality can be improved:

What governments can do

Strengthen air quality standards and enforce pollution control measures to create healthier urban environments.
Invest in public transportation and promote renewable energy sources to reduce emissions.
Implement stricter regulations on industrial and vehicular emissions.
Expand air quality monitoring networks to inform policy decisions and public health strategies.

What communities can do

Support programs, such as Schools4Earth, to create healthier environments for vulnerable populations.
Participate in community-driven data collection efforts to raise awareness and address pollution sources.

What individuals can do

Opt for sustainable transportation options like walking, biking, or public transit to lower emissions.
Use energy-efficient appliances and indoor air purification systems to reduce personal exposure.
\nMonitor air quality to help improve community air quality awareness.
\nAccess real-time air quality information to make informed decisions, especially on high-pollution days.
Run an air purifier when air quality is poor.
\nWear a snug-fitting face mask outdoors on days when air pollution is severe.

Conclusion

Understanding and tackling urban air pollution starts with reliable, accessible data. Yet, in many parts of the world, comprehensive air quality monitoring remains limited or non-existent.

Communities with access to real-time air quality information are better equipped to make informed decisions to protect their health, advocate for stronger policies and enforcement, and address pollution at its source. By expanding monitoring networks globally, individuals are empowered to improve public health and create cleaner, safer cities for everyone.

","5-most-polluted-major-cities-in-the-world-in-2025","gid://shopify/Article/1001564143990","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/5-most-polluted-major-cities-in-the-world-in-2025","2026-06-08T16:21:12Z",[411,561,14],"5 Most polluted major cities in the world in 2025",{"_50":802,"_206":-5,"_204":803,"_208":475,"_210":476},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/417231438198","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/B_63f6a7d6-695e-4add-a3a1-cb575c1ce7d1.jpg?v=1782857676",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"Air quality is becoming an increasing issue globally, but local communities are fighting back against pollution. See how these 5 Asian cities have taken steps to improve their air quality.","

Air quality is becoming an increasing issue globally, but local communities are fighting back against pollution. See how these 5 Asian cities have taken steps to improve their air quality.

","The 2025 World Air Quality Report indicates signs of progress despite the ongoing global struggle with air pollution. Some of Asia’s biggest cities reduced their PM2.5 concentrations in 2025 when compared to 2024. However, those improvements are still far from sufficient. Three of the five cities on this list continue to consistently experience air quality levels classified as very unhealthy to hazardous. Millions of residents in these major cities still face elevated health risks from long-term exposure to airborne pollutants like PM2.5 – tiny particulate matter measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions like asthma or heart disease, bear the brunt of this burden. Though there is much more progress to be made, any improvement in air quality is a step in the right direction towards achieving safe and breathable air for all. 5. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Ulaanbaatar reduced its average annual PM2.5 concentration from 25.7 µg/m³ in 2024 to 17.9 µg/m³ in 2025, an improvement of 7.8 µg/m³. The decreased PM2.5 levels is a step in the right direction towards healthy breathing, but Ulaanbaatar’s air quality still does not reach the World Health Organization’s safe concentration level guideline of 5 µg/m³ (1). Diesel fuels and coal burning are common resources for resident heating and vehicle operations in Ulaanbaatar, creating an abundance of airborne pollutants. Especially in the colder winter months, added coal burning and temperature inversions trap large amounts of pollutants close to the ground, elevating PM2.5 concentrations. Air quality in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on June 25, 2026. Source: IQAir. In 2019, the Mongolian Government enacted a ban against raw coal utilization for domestic heating (2). Long-term clean air solutions depend on resources that provide sustainable fuel and healthy utilization with low respiratory risks. 4. Chiang Mai, Thailand Chiang Mai saw its average annual PM2.5 concentration drop from 26.4 µg/m³ in 2024 to 18.2 µg/m³ in 2025, marking an 8.2 µg/m³ improvement. The shift in PM2.5 levels is a notable improvement for the northern Thai city, inching closer to safe air quality levels for all. However, Chiang Mai maintains a moderate air quality index, which may depend on clean fuel and agricultural resources to reach low-risk PM2.5 concentrations. Air quality in Chiang Mai, Thailand on June 25, 2026. Source: IQAir. Chiang Mai experiences fluctuating air quality conditions and seasonal pollutants bursts, particularly during the dry season. Cultural crop burnings are the most prevalent in Chiang Mai, causing mass production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter across the city within the warmer months. Communities and residents in Thailand have pushed for systemic change within the air quality landscape, introducing a Clean Air Bill and non-profit initiatives (3). 3. Delhi, India Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities, was able to lower its average annual PM2.5 concentration from 108.3 µg/m³ in 2024 to 99.6 µg/m³ in 2025, an improvement of 8.7 µg/m³. While the reduced PM2.5 levels are an impactful step towards safe breathing conditions, Delhi’s air quality index remains in the unhealthy range, and airborne pollutants could still invade indoor spaces. Air quality in Delhi, India on June 25, 2026. Source: IQAir. Delhi, a populous urban city, experiences a complex mix of airborne pollutants and harmful particulate matter year-round, including construction dust, cultural crop burnings, and industrial emissions. Traffic pollution and gases are among the most prevalent pollutants in India, contributing to about 11% of air pollutant-related deaths in the country (4). In 2026, Delhi reformed traffic policies and promoted incentives for residents to switch to electric-powered vehicles (5)(6). However, long-term systemic shifts in fuel utilization and energy sources hold the potential to extend air quality improvements. 2. Dhaka, Bangladesh Dhaka reduced its average annual PM2.5 concentration from 78 µg/m³ in 2024 to 68 µg/m³ in 2025, achieving a 10 µg/m³ improvement. Dhaka has maintained unhealthy AQI levels since the first World Air Quality Report in 2017, but the city has reached its most improved PM2.5 concentrations in 2025. Despite the improved air quality conditions and decreased PM2.5 exposure, the city’s air remains at an unhealthy AQI level, creating a harmful breathing environment for sensitive populations. Dhaka faces numerous air pollution concerns derived from busy highways and high-production factories, including abundant traffic emissions, particulate matter from construction sites, and industrial smoke. As a country, Bangladesh established a National Air Quality Management Plan for 2024-2030, focused on reducing PM2.5 concentrations and decreasing pollutant production nationwide. For long-term air quality improvement, limiting brick kilns and harmful cooking sources is key, as these pollutants have been linked to elevated respiratory health risks and the production of over 200 volatile organic compounds (7). Air quality in Dhaka, Bangladesh on June 25, 2026. Source: IQAir. 1. Lahore, Pakistan Lahore achieved the most significant improvement among the top five major cities. The city reduced its average annual PM2.5 concentration from 102.1 µg/m³ in 2024 to 88.9 µg/m³ in 2025, a 13.2 µg/m³ drop. Air quality in Lahore, Pakistan on June 25, 2026. Source: IQAir. While a positive development, this progress needs to be weighed in context with another fact: Lahore’s air quality has been in the hazardous range since the first World Air Quality Report in 2017, and it was ranked the second most polluted major city in the world in 2025. The city’s pollution is driven by a combination of factors, including vehicular emissions from an aging fleet, industrial activity, dust from construction, and seasonal crop burning in Punjab Province. While the Pakistani government has introduced measures such as smog alerts, temporary school closures, and restrictions on certain industrial activities during high-pollution periods, seasonal air quality issues persist. The health impact is clear: 68% of Pakistanis reported smog-related health issues in a survey conducted in 2024. 84% of respondents living in Lahore noted they had experienced respiratory illnesses (8). Pathways to cleaner air While the improvements in these cities are a step in the right direction, mitigating persistent poor air quality requires sustained action. Here’s how progress can be accelerated: What governments can do Strengthen and enforce air quality standards to hold industries and vehicles accountable for their emissions. Invest in renewable energy and public transportation to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and private vehicles. Expand air quality monitoring networks to provide real-time data and inform targeted interventions. Promote regional cooperation to address transboundary pollution, such as crop burning and industrial emissions that cross borders. What communities can do Support and participate in local initiatives to raise awareness about air pollution and its health impacts. Advocate for stronger policies and better enforcement to protect vulnerable populations. What individuals can do Choose sustainable transportation options, such as walking, cycling, or using public transit, to reduce personal contributions to air pollution. Use air purifiers and wear high-quality masks on high-pollution days to limit exposure. Stay informed about real-time air quality data to make healthier daily decisions. Conclusion Air quality improvement in these five Asian cities offers hope in the ongoing fight for clean air. However, the fact that three of these cities—Delhi, Dhaka, and Lahore—still have air quality levels classified as unhealthy to hazardous underscores the long journey towards clean air quality. It’s true that millions of people in these cities and around the world continue to breathe air that is far from safe. Yet progress shown in 2025 can serve as a foundation for bolder, more ambitious action to ensure that clean air becomes a reality for all.","

The 2025 World Air Quality Report indicates signs of progress despite the ongoing global struggle with air pollution. Some of Asia’s biggest cities reduced their PM2.5 concentrations in 2025 when compared to 2024. However, those improvements are still far from sufficient. Three of the five cities on this list continue to consistently experience air quality levels classified as very unhealthy to hazardous.

Millions of residents in these major cities still face elevated health risks from long-term exposure to airborne pollutants like PM2.5 – tiny particulate matter measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions like asthma or heart disease, bear the brunt of this burden. Though there is much more progress to be made, any improvement in air quality is a step in the right direction towards achieving safe and breathable air for all.

5. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

$\"\"$

Ulaanbaatar reduced its average annual PM2.5 concentration from 25.7 µg/m³ in 2024 to 17.9 µg/m³ in 2025, an improvement of 7.8 µg/m³.

The decreased PM2.5 levels is a step in the right direction towards healthy breathing, but Ulaanbaatar’s air quality still does not reach the World Health Organization’s safe concentration level guideline of 5 µg/m³ (1).

Diesel fuels and coal burning are common resources for resident heating and vehicle operations in Ulaanbaatar, creating an abundance of airborne pollutants. Especially in the colder winter months, added coal burning and temperature inversions trap large amounts of pollutants close to the ground, elevating PM2.5 concentrations.

$\"\"$

Air quality in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on June 25, 2026. Source: IQAir.

In 2019, the Mongolian Government enacted a ban against raw coal utilization for domestic heating (2). Long-term clean air solutions depend on resources that provide sustainable fuel and healthy utilization with low respiratory risks.

4. Chiang Mai, Thailand

$\"\"$

Chiang Mai saw its average annual PM2.5 concentration drop from 26.4 µg/m³ in 2024 to 18.2 µg/m³ in 2025, marking an 8.2 µg/m³ improvement.

The shift in PM2.5 levels is a notable improvement for the northern Thai city, inching closer to safe air quality levels for all. However, Chiang Mai maintains a moderate air quality index, which may depend on clean fuel and agricultural resources to reach low-risk PM2.5 concentrations.

$\"\"$

Air quality in Chiang Mai, Thailand on June 25, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Chiang Mai experiences fluctuating air quality conditions and seasonal pollutants bursts, particularly during the dry season. Cultural crop burnings are the most prevalent in Chiang Mai, causing mass production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter across the city within the warmer months.

Communities and residents in Thailand have pushed for systemic change within the air quality landscape, introducing a Clean Air Bill and non-profit initiatives (3).

3. Delhi, India

$\"\"$

Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities, was able to lower its average annual PM2.5 concentration from 108.3 µg/m³ in 2024 to 99.6 µg/m³ in 2025, an improvement of 8.7 µg/m³.

While the reduced PM2.5 levels are an impactful step towards safe breathing conditions, Delhi’s air quality index remains in the unhealthy range, and airborne pollutants could still invade indoor spaces.

$\"\"$

Air quality in Delhi, India on June 25, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Delhi, a populous urban city, experiences a complex mix of airborne pollutants and harmful particulate matter year-round, including construction dust, cultural crop burnings, and industrial emissions. Traffic pollution and gases are among the most prevalent pollutants in India, contributing to about 11% of air pollutant-related deaths in the country (4).

In 2026, Delhi reformed traffic policies and promoted incentives for residents to switch to electric-powered vehicles (5)(6). However, long-term systemic shifts in fuel utilization and energy sources hold the potential to extend air quality improvements.

2. Dhaka, Bangladesh

$\"\"$

Dhaka reduced its average annual PM2.5 concentration from 78 µg/m³ in 2024 to 68 µg/m³ in 2025, achieving a 10 µg/m³ improvement.

Dhaka has maintained unhealthy AQI levels since the first World Air Quality Report in 2017, but the city has reached its most improved PM2.5 concentrations in 2025. Despite the improved air quality conditions and decreased PM2.5 exposure, the city’s air remains at an unhealthy AQI level, creating a harmful breathing environment for sensitive populations.

Dhaka faces numerous air pollution concerns derived from busy highways and high-production factories, including abundant traffic emissions, particulate matter from construction sites, and industrial smoke. As a country, Bangladesh established a National Air Quality Management Plan for 2024-2030, focused on reducing PM2.5 concentrations and decreasing pollutant production nationwide. For long-term air quality improvement, limiting brick kilns and harmful cooking sources is key, as these pollutants have been linked to elevated respiratory health risks and the production of over 200 volatile organic compounds (7).

$\"\"$

Air quality in Dhaka, Bangladesh on June 25, 2026. Source: IQAir.

1. Lahore, Pakistan

$\"\"$

Lahore achieved the most significant improvement among the top five major cities. The city reduced its average annual PM2.5 concentration from 102.1 µg/m³ in 2024 to 88.9 µg/m³ in 2025, a 13.2 µg/m³ drop.

$\"\"$

Air quality in Lahore, Pakistan on June 25, 2026. Source: IQAir.

While a positive development, this progress needs to be weighed in context with another fact: Lahore’s air quality has been in the hazardous range since the first World Air Quality Report in 2017, and it was ranked the second most polluted major city in the world in 2025.

The city’s pollution is driven by a combination of factors, including vehicular emissions from an aging fleet, industrial activity, dust from construction, and seasonal crop burning in Punjab Province. While the Pakistani government has introduced measures such as smog alerts, temporary school closures, and restrictions on certain industrial activities during high-pollution periods, seasonal air quality issues persist. The health impact is clear: 68% of Pakistanis reported smog-related health issues in a survey conducted in 2024. 84% of respondents living in Lahore noted they had experienced respiratory illnesses (8).

Pathways to cleaner air

While the improvements in these cities are a step in the right direction, mitigating persistent poor air quality requires sustained action. Here’s how progress can be accelerated:

What governments can do

Strengthen and enforce air quality standards to hold industries and vehicles accountable for their emissions.
Invest in renewable energy and public transportation to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and private vehicles.
Expand air quality monitoring networks to provide real-time data and inform targeted interventions.
Promote regional cooperation to address transboundary pollution, such as crop burning and industrial emissions that cross borders.

What communities can do

Support and participate in local initiatives to raise awareness about air pollution and its health impacts.
\nAdvocate for stronger policies and better enforcement to protect vulnerable populations.

What individuals can do

Choose sustainable transportation options, such as walking, cycling, or using public transit, to reduce personal contributions to air pollution.
\nUse air purifiers and wear high-quality masks on high-pollution days to limit exposure.
Stay informed about real-time air quality data to make healthier daily decisions.
\n

Conclusion

Air quality improvement in these five Asian cities offers hope in the ongoing fight for clean air. However, the fact that three of these cities—Delhi, Dhaka, and Lahore—still have air quality levels classified as unhealthy to hazardous underscores the long journey towards clean air quality.

It’s true that millions of people in these cities and around the world continue to breathe air that is far from safe. Yet progress shown in 2025 can serve as a foundation for bolder, more ambitious action to ensure that clean air becomes a reality for all.

","top-5-asian-cities-with-most-improved-air-quality-in-2025","gid://shopify/Article/1001993961846","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/top-5-asian-cities-with-most-improved-air-quality-in-2025","2026-07-13T13:00:02Z",[411,561,14],"Top 5 Asian cities with most improved air quality in 2025",{"_50":817,"_206":-5,"_204":818,"_208":475,"_210":476},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/417689567606","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Article_MostImprovedAsia_Desktop.jpg?v=1783955491",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},[14,443],{"_50":473,"_206":-5,"_204":474,"_208":475,"_210":476},{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"Environmental protections are weakening globally. See who pays the price and what comes next.","

Environmental protections are weakening globally. See who pays the price and what comes next.

","Across some of the world's most developed democracies, the United States, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand governments are rolling back the rules that were enacted to protect public health, stabilize economies, and preserve ecosystems. These are not isolated national stories. They are connected chapters in a global pattern, one in which industry lobbying, short-term economic pressure, and political expediency are chipping away at decades of environmental progress. And the consequences rarely stay within borders. Polluted air drifts across continents, weakened trade rules ripple through global supply chains, and the erosion of one country's protections can undercut the credibility of international agreements everywhere else. Where protections are rolling back In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency has pursued what its own administrator called the \"single largest deregulatory action\" in the agency's history. In February 2026, the EPA finalized a rule eliminating the 2009 Endangerment Finding, the scientific determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health, effectively rescinding the legal foundation for federal emissions standards on cars, trucks, and power plants (1)(2). The agency has also granted coal-fired power plants exemptions from mercury and air toxics standards and repealed a 2024 rule that would have cut emissions of toxic air pollutants from petrochemical plants (3). The European Union has taken a subtler but no less consequential path. Since 2025, the European Commission has introduced ten \"omnibus\" packages, bundling changes that weaken corporate sustainability reporting, due diligence, and permitting requirements under the banner of \"simplification\" (4). Investigations by watchdog groups found that roughly 90% of meetings shaping these packages involved business interests, with heavy industry successfully pushing to delay the EU's carbon border tax, soften vehicle emissions rules, and fast-track permits for polluting infrastructure (5)(6). New Zealand, a nation long associated with strong conservation records, is also shifting course. New Zealand's coalition government has moved to weaken its National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity and freshwater protections, making it easier to approve mining and quarrying in ecologically sensitive areas (7). In Brazil, home to the majority of the Amazon rainforest, a new \"devastation bill\" took effect in February 2026, introducing a self-licensing system that lets developers sign off on their own environmental impact assessments for many projects (8). Each of these countries built its climate and conservation frameworks over generations. Undoing them, even partially, is proving to have cross-border consequences that fall hardest on the communities least equipped to withstand them. Weakened protections impact health Air pollution already contributes to more than 7 million premature deaths worldwide every year, according to the World Health Organization, making pollution the largest single environmental health risk on the planet (9). Weakened protections threaten to push that number higher, and the clearest evidence is emerging in the communities living closest to industrial pollution. In Louisiana's \"Cancer Alley,\" an 85-mile industrial corridor along the Mississippi River, researchers from Johns Hopkins University found in 2025 that cancer risks from airborne toxins were up to 11 times higher than official EPA estimates, largely because the agency's models rely on companies self-reporting their own emissions (10)(11). Just months earlier, the Trump administration had granted a dozen Louisiana petrochemical facilities two-year exemptions from a Biden-era rule designed to cut toxic emissions in these same communities (12). Life expectancy in parts of the Niger Delta, where decades of oil spills have contaminated environment, runs roughly a decade below Nigeria's national average, a pattern echoed in Cancer Alley, where residents already face elevated rates of respiratory illness, reproductive harm, and cancer (13). European cities are not immune. Warsaw, Poland, has made real progress, cutting fine particulate pollution by 46% since 2010 through coal-heating bans and clean transport zones (14). Yet the city still recorded \"unhealthy\" air quality spikes in early 2026, and eastern and southeastern Europe as a whole continue to bear the continent's heaviest burden of pollution-linked disease, with nearly all of the EU's urban population still exposed to fine particulate levels above WHO guidelines (15). Air pollution’s economic impact Governments rolling back environmental rules often frame the move as an economic win: fewer regulations, lower costs, more jobs. The reality is more complicated. A tracking project by the Institute for Policy Integrity estimates that just the rollbacks pursued by the current U.S. administration put more than $22 billion in annual health benefits at risk, benefits that would otherwise come from avoided hospital visits, missed workdays, and premature deaths (16). In Europe, a similar dynamic is unfolding. Corporate lobbying groups representing the automotive, chemical, and fossil fuel industries have spent tens of millions of euros pushing to delay the EU's carbon market reforms and weaken its carbon border tax, arguing that decarbonization rules threaten European competitiveness (17). Yet the same industries benefiting from looser rules are often the ones whose pollution imposes hidden costs on public health systems and the ecosystems their supply chains depend on. The palm oil industry illustrates the trade-off well. Despite over a decade of \"no deforestation\" pledges covering most of Indonesia and Malaysia's palm oil refining capacity, satellite monitoring found that more than 31,000 hectares of forest were still cleared for palm oil in Indonesia in 2025 alone, much of it entering supply chains that companies market as deforestation-free (18). Air pollution caused by land clearing for palm plantations impacts air quality in communities across the region each year, despite laws designed to cut emissions (19). The EU's own deforestation regulation, meant to close these loopholes, was delayed a year and then weakened further under industry pressure in late 2025 (20). Air pollution’s burden falls unevenly Weakened environmental protections rarely harm everyone equally. Time and again, it is marginalized communities who live closest to the pollution and farthest from the political power to stop it. In Europe, Roma communities across Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia continue to face what researchers call \"environmental racism,\" routinely relocated to or left in areas next to landfills, contaminated industrial sites, and mining waste, often without access to clean water or basic sanitation (21)(22). In one case in Kosovo, the United Nations found that a UN mission itself was responsible for relocating Roma families to a camp near a lead-contaminated industrial site, where residents suffered acute lead poisoning and miscarriages for years without compensation (23). Indigenous communities face similar patterns on a global scale. In Brazil, more than a third of the Amazon is designated Indigenous territory, and Indigenous-managed lands consistently show lower deforestation rates than surrounding areas (24). Yet Brazil's new self-licensing law and a legal doctrine limiting land claims to territory physically occupied as of 1988 threaten to strip protections from communities that were forcibly displaced decades earlier (25). In Nigeria's Niger Delta, Ogoni communities are still fighting for a promised cleanup of oil contamination that a 2011 UN assessment estimated could take up to 35 years, even as the Nigerian government pushes to resume drilling in the same region (26). In Canada and Australia, Indigenous groups similarly report being sidelined from decisions about mining, agriculture, and land development on or near traditional territories, often bearing the environmental costs of projects they had little say in approving. Ecosystems under mounting pressure The ecological toll of weakened protections is playing out across some of the planet's most iconic landscapes. In the Arctic, sea ice reached its lowest winter maximum extent in the 47-year satellite record in March 2025, a stark marker of a warming polar region even as summer melt patterns show some natural variability (27)(28). The long-term trend remains unambiguous: sea ice is thinner, younger, and less extensive than it was two decades ago, with cascading effects on global weather patterns and Indigenous communities whose ways of life are tied to the ice (29). New Zealand is confronting what one 2025 government report called a \"code red for nature.\" More than 4,000 native species are now threatened or at risk of extinction, including 76% of freshwater fish and 93% of frogs, driven largely by intensive dairy farming, habitat loss, and pollution of waterways (30)(31). Conservation groups warn that the government's recent move to weaken indigenous biodiversity and freshwater protections, making it easier to approve mining and quarrying, will accelerate a decline that is already among the worst in the world. What can be done The scale of these rollbacks can feel overwhelming, but the trend is not irreversible. Meaningful progress is still possible at every level. What governments can do Strengthen and enforce international environmental agreements rather than allowing them to be quietly weakened through delay and exemption. Invest in environmental monitoring systems that don't rely on industry self-reporting. Provide financial and technical support to developing nations working to build cleaner energy and industrial systems. Promote the transfer of green technology so that economic development and environmental protection are not treated as competing goals. What communities can do Build cross-border alliances with communities facing similar pollution and land-rights challenges. Support independent water and air quality monitoring organizations, particularly where government data relies on self-reporting from polluters. Educate community members about environmental risks and their legal rights to challenge harmful projects. Develop or support local air quality monitoring networks that can hold industry accountable with independent data. What individuals can do Reduce personal carbon footprint where possible, from waste, transportation choices to energy use. Support businesses and political leaders with genuine track records on environmental responsibility. Stay informed about local and national policy changes that affect environmental protections. Conclusion Weakening environmental protections is a human issue, which carries immediate consequences for human health and long-term consequences for ecosystem. When protections erode, the costs land hardest on communities with the least power to resist them. Reversing this trend will require sustained pressure from governments, communities, and individuals alike, at a moment when many of the institutions built to provide that pressure are themselves under strain. But the damage being done today can still be mitigated through dedicated, sustained activism in communities and nations around the world.","

Across some of the world's most developed democracies, the United States, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand governments are rolling back the rules that were enacted to protect public health, stabilize economies, and preserve ecosystems.

These are not isolated national stories. They are connected chapters in a global pattern, one in which industry lobbying, short-term economic pressure, and political expediency are chipping away at decades of environmental progress. And the consequences rarely stay within borders. Polluted air drifts across continents, weakened trade rules ripple through global supply chains, and the erosion of one country's protections can undercut the credibility of international agreements everywhere else.

Where protections are rolling back

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency has pursued what its own administrator called the \"single largest deregulatory action\" in the agency's history.

In February 2026, the EPA finalized a rule eliminating the 2009 Endangerment Finding, the scientific determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health, effectively rescinding the legal foundation for federal emissions standards on cars, trucks, and power plants (1)(2). The agency has also granted coal-fired power plants exemptions from mercury and air toxics standards and repealed a 2024 rule that would have cut emissions of toxic air pollutants from petrochemical plants (3).

The European Union has taken a subtler but no less consequential path. Since 2025, the European Commission has introduced ten \"omnibus\" packages, bundling changes that weaken corporate sustainability reporting, due diligence, and permitting requirements under the banner of \"simplification\" (4). Investigations by watchdog groups found that roughly 90% of meetings shaping these packages involved business interests, with heavy industry successfully pushing to delay the EU's carbon border tax, soften vehicle emissions rules, and fast-track permits for polluting infrastructure (5)(6).

New Zealand, a nation long associated with strong conservation records, is also shifting course. New Zealand's coalition government has moved to weaken its National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity and freshwater protections, making it easier to approve mining and quarrying in ecologically sensitive areas (7).

In Brazil, home to the majority of the Amazon rainforest, a new \"devastation bill\" took effect in February 2026, introducing a self-licensing system that lets developers sign off on their own environmental impact assessments for many projects (8).

Each of these countries built its climate and conservation frameworks over generations. Undoing them, even partially, is proving to have cross-border consequences that fall hardest on the communities least equipped to withstand them.

Weakened protections impact health

Air pollution already contributes to more than 7 million premature deaths worldwide every year, according to the World Health Organization, making pollution the largest single environmental health risk on the planet (9). Weakened protections threaten to push that number higher, and the clearest evidence is emerging in the communities living closest to industrial pollution.

In Louisiana's \"Cancer Alley,\" an 85-mile industrial corridor along the Mississippi River, researchers from Johns Hopkins University found in 2025 that cancer risks from airborne toxins were up to 11 times higher than official EPA estimates, largely because the agency's models rely on companies self-reporting their own emissions (10)(11). Just months earlier, the Trump administration had granted a dozen Louisiana petrochemical facilities two-year exemptions from a Biden-era rule designed to cut toxic emissions in these same communities (12).

Life expectancy in parts of the Niger Delta, where decades of oil spills have contaminated environment, runs roughly a decade below Nigeria's national average, a pattern echoed in Cancer Alley, where residents already face elevated rates of respiratory illness, reproductive harm, and cancer (13).

European cities are not immune. Warsaw, Poland, has made real progress, cutting fine particulate pollution by 46% since 2010 through coal-heating bans and clean transport zones (14). Yet the city still recorded \"unhealthy\" air quality spikes in early 2026, and eastern and southeastern Europe as a whole continue to bear the continent's heaviest burden of pollution-linked disease, with nearly all of the EU's urban population still exposed to fine particulate levels above WHO guidelines (15).

Air pollution’s economic impact

Governments rolling back environmental rules often frame the move as an economic win: fewer regulations, lower costs, more jobs. The reality is more complicated.

A tracking project by the Institute for Policy Integrity estimates that just the rollbacks pursued by the current U.S. administration put more than $22 billion in annual health benefits at risk, benefits that would otherwise come from avoided hospital visits, missed workdays, and premature deaths (16).

In Europe, a similar dynamic is unfolding. Corporate lobbying groups representing the automotive, chemical, and fossil fuel industries have spent tens of millions of euros pushing to delay the EU's carbon market reforms and weaken its carbon border tax, arguing that decarbonization rules threaten European competitiveness (17). Yet the same industries benefiting from looser rules are often the ones whose pollution imposes hidden costs on public health systems and the ecosystems their supply chains depend on.

The palm oil industry illustrates the trade-off well. Despite over a decade of \"no deforestation\" pledges covering most of Indonesia and Malaysia's palm oil refining capacity, satellite monitoring found that more than 31,000 hectares of forest were still cleared for palm oil in Indonesia in 2025 alone, much of it entering supply chains that companies market as deforestation-free (18). Air pollution caused by land clearing for palm plantations impacts air quality in communities across the region each year, despite laws designed to cut emissions (19). The EU's own deforestation regulation, meant to close these loopholes, was delayed a year and then weakened further under industry pressure in late 2025 (20).

Air pollution’s burden falls unevenly

Weakened environmental protections rarely harm everyone equally. Time and again, it is marginalized communities who live closest to the pollution and farthest from the political power to stop it.

In Europe, Roma communities across Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia continue to face what researchers call \"environmental racism,\" routinely relocated to or left in areas next to landfills, contaminated industrial sites, and mining waste, often without access to clean water or basic sanitation (21)(22). In one case in Kosovo, the United Nations found that a UN mission itself was responsible for relocating Roma families to a camp near a lead-contaminated industrial site, where residents suffered acute lead poisoning and miscarriages for years without compensation (23).

Indigenous communities face similar patterns on a global scale. In Brazil, more than a third of the Amazon is designated Indigenous territory, and Indigenous-managed lands consistently show lower deforestation rates than surrounding areas (24). Yet Brazil's new self-licensing law and a legal doctrine limiting land claims to territory physically occupied as of 1988 threaten to strip protections from communities that were forcibly displaced decades earlier (25).

In Nigeria's Niger Delta, Ogoni communities are still fighting for a promised cleanup of oil contamination that a 2011 UN assessment estimated could take up to 35 years, even as the Nigerian government pushes to resume drilling in the same region (26). In Canada and Australia, Indigenous groups similarly report being sidelined from decisions about mining, agriculture, and land development on or near traditional territories, often bearing the environmental costs of projects they had little say in approving.

Ecosystems under mounting pressure

The ecological toll of weakened protections is playing out across some of the planet's most iconic landscapes.

In the Arctic, sea ice reached its lowest winter maximum extent in the 47-year satellite record in March 2025, a stark marker of a warming polar region even as summer melt patterns show some natural variability (27)(28). The long-term trend remains unambiguous: sea ice is thinner, younger, and less extensive than it was two decades ago, with cascading effects on global weather patterns and Indigenous communities whose ways of life are tied to the ice (29).

New Zealand is confronting what one 2025 government report called a \"code red for nature.\" More than 4,000 native species are now threatened or at risk of extinction, including 76% of freshwater fish and 93% of frogs, driven largely by intensive dairy farming, habitat loss, and pollution of waterways (30)(31). Conservation groups warn that the government's recent move to weaken indigenous biodiversity and freshwater protections, making it easier to approve mining and quarrying, will accelerate a decline that is already among the worst in the world.

What can be done

The scale of these rollbacks can feel overwhelming, but the trend is not irreversible. Meaningful progress is still possible at every level.

What governments can do

Strengthen and enforce international environmental agreements rather than allowing them to be quietly weakened through delay and exemption.
Invest in environmental monitoring systems that don't rely on industry self-reporting.
Provide financial and technical support to developing nations working to build cleaner energy and industrial systems.
Promote the transfer of green technology so that economic development and environmental protection are not treated as competing goals.

What communities can do

Build cross-border alliances with communities facing similar pollution and land-rights challenges.
Support independent water and air quality monitoring organizations, particularly where government data relies on self-reporting from polluters.
Educate community members about environmental risks and their legal rights to challenge harmful projects.
Develop or support local air quality monitoring networks that can hold industry accountable with independent data.

What individuals can do

Reduce personal carbon footprint where possible, from waste, transportation choices to energy use.
Support businesses and political leaders with genuine track records on environmental responsibility.
Stay informed about local and national policy changes that affect environmental protections.

Conclusion

Weakening environmental protections is a human issue, which carries immediate consequences for human health and long-term consequences for ecosystem. When protections erode, the costs land hardest on communities with the least power to resist them.

Reversing this trend will require sustained pressure from governments, communities, and individuals alike, at a moment when many of the institutions built to provide that pressure are themselves under strain. But the damage being done today can still be mitigated through dedicated, sustained activism in communities and nations around the world.

","how-weakening-enivronmental-protections-affects-communities-worldwide","gid://shopify/Article/1002218258806","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/how-weakening-enivronmental-protections-affects-communities-worldwide","2026-07-27T17:26:58Z",[411,561,14],"How weakening environmental protections affects communities worldwide",{"_50":836,"_206":-5,"_204":837,"_208":755,"_210":756},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/418710946166","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Desktop_Weakening_Environ_NEW_8971cff4-def7-46b1-9e3a-2d566462c29b.jpg?v=1786374288",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"World Clean Air Day celebrates healthy air quality for regions globally. Learn about how individuals, families, and communities can take part in the effort for better air quality.","

World Clean Air Day celebrates healthy air quality for regions globally. Learn about how individuals, families, and communities can take part in the effort for better air quality.

","Air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to the health of the planet and its people. It causes approximately seven million premature deaths annually and countless illnesses. Air pollution also accelerates climate change, causes economic losses, and reduces agricultural productivity. The United Nations General Assembly designated the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, also known as World Clean Air Day, in 2019. Its 7th annual observance will be on September 7, 2026 (1). What is the purpose of Clean Air Day? World Clean Air Day was created to bring awareness to global air quality conditions and the various airborne pollutants impacting international communities. The designated celebration brings individuals, businesses, and government systems together to address a common cause through a wide range of actions and initiatives. World Clean Air Day aims to: Highlight the urgency of the world’s air quality problem. Motivate for more political action to combat air pollution. Call for international solidarity around the idea that every citizen of the world has a right to breathe clean air. Key areas of focus include: Strengthening international air quality data collection standards. Combining scientific research efforts among nations. Identifying and sharing best practices and developing new technologies. Air pollution knows no borders—everyone has a responsibility to protect our atmosphere and ensure healthy air for all. By collaborating across borders, sectors, and silos, we can reduce air pollution through collective investments of time, resources, and efforts. What is the theme of Clean Air Day? As highlighted in the 2025 World Air Quality Report, addressing both climate change and air pollution at the same time is a feasible, necessary goal. Timely environmental improvements can lead to better health outcomes. This year, Clean Air Day’s theme is “Clean Air for Climate Action,” using the hashtag #CleanAirDay, to highlight the urgency and collective efforts needed in effecting impactful, positive change (2). Global air quality guidelines In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its Global Air Quality Guidelines based on new scientific findings. These updates revealed that the harmful effects of air pollution occur much lower exposure levels than was previously known. In response to these findings, WHO reduced their acceptable levels of exposure to various air pollutants required to maintain healthy populations. In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised its PM2.5 air quality standards, lowering the annual PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) from 12 μg/m3 to 9 μg/m3. The reduction created tighter baseline expectations requiring even less airborne pollutants to be considered clean air quality. If more countries meet these lower target levels of air pollution, millions of lives will be saved. Still, experts estimate that nine out of ten people are consistently exposed to highly polluted air. How you can take action We’re all in this together. Governments, businesses, schools, individuals, and civil society can all make commitments to reduce air pollution, and help create a cleaner, greener world. The role of private citizens Individuals can enact localized air-quality-conscious decisions and make a difference by committing to eco-friendly lifestyle choices, such as: Leaving vehicles at home and using public transportation, cycling, or walking more. Reducing waste by reusing, recycling, and composting. Adopting a plant-based diet. Limiting use of single-use plastic products like straws, flatware, and condiment packets. Conserving energy by turning off lights and electronics when not in use. Purchasing energy-efficient appliances and air purifiers. You can also become a citizen scientist, spreading awareness about air pollution and highlighting local sources of air pollution. The role of governments Governments at the national, state, and local level have enormous power in the battle for cleaner air. To honor World Clean Air Day, the UN recommends governments pledge to: Join the BreatheLife Network to help raise public awareness of the harmful impacts of air pollution on health and climate. Organize campaigns, events, and activities to engage and inform citizens. Develop stronger air quality and climate change policies following the lead of the WHO’s air quality guidelines and the Paris Agreement. Create air quality action plans and improve air quality monitoring systems. Reduce fossil fuel subsidies and increase investments in renewable energy. Phase out fossil fuel-burning vehicles and create policies that encourage clean energy sources in homes. Improve solid waste management practices to decrease emissions. On World Clean Air Day, city governments can offer free public transportation, hold tree-planting, bicycling, and walking events and in-person or virtual meetings with public officials and health professionals. Share pictures, videos, and stories of the day on social media using the hashtags #WorldCleanAirDay and #CleanAirNow. The role of businesses Businesses can have a significant impact in improving air quality within larger cities and communities through collective actions and company-wide implementations, such as: Transitioning toward renewable energy sources. Using recycled and recyclable materials in products and packaging. Reducing air pollution emissions and waste from their production cycle. Purchasing hybrid or electric vehicles for their company fleet. Cooling facilities with fresh air ventilation or a hydrofluorocarbon system. Implement energy-efficient HVAC air cleaners and pollutant monitors for company-wide awareness and employee safety. On World Clean Air Day, businesses can announce their commitments to creating cleaner, more sustainable ways of conducting business. The role of schools Educating students about the importance of good air quality and sustainability is vital to maintain future environmental protections. Schools can: Join the Schools4Earth program. Apply for Clean Air for Kids funding. Advocate for electric buses and bicycle-friendly campuses. Explore renewable energy options. Install air quality monitors on campuses and report the results to parents and the community. Designate “no car idling” zones near campuses. Create environmental clubs and organize tree-planting or garden-planting events. On September 7, register clean air events here, and share pictures, videos and stories on social media using the hashtags #WorldCleanAirDay and #CleanAirNow. It starts with knowledge In reality, most of the world’s population lacks access to real-time air quality data. There is an ever-increasing need for comprehensive air quality monitoring and reporting systems. One such system delivers real-time air quality information to people in every corner of the world. A free download for this valuable air quality monitoring resource is available here. Always know what’s in your airwith the #1 air quality app Download AirVisual Low-cost air quality monitors allow governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals to effectively increase air quality knowledge around the globe. Conclusion Clean air supports health, mitigates climate action, and builds stronger communities. Taking urgent action to clean the world’s air is a critical step towards creating a better planet for future generations. The harms caused by air pollution are preventable. By raising air quality awareness and taking steps to solve the problem, we can begin to make the world a better place. Observing World Clean Air Day is a step towards achieving this goal. By participating and making changes, we contribute to a healthier planet and healthier lives for all.","

Air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to the health of the planet and its people. It causes approximately seven million premature deaths annually and countless illnesses. Air pollution also accelerates climate change, causes economic losses, and reduces agricultural productivity.

The United Nations General Assembly designated the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, also known as World Clean Air Day, in 2019. Its 7th annual observance will be on September 7, 2026 (1).

What is the purpose of Clean Air Day?

World Clean Air Day was created to bring awareness to global air quality conditions and the various airborne pollutants impacting international communities. The designated celebration brings individuals, businesses, and government systems together to address a common cause through a wide range of actions and initiatives.

World Clean Air Day aims to:

Highlight the urgency of the world’s air quality problem.
Motivate for more political action to combat air pollution.
Call for international solidarity around the idea that every citizen of the world has a right to breathe clean air.

Key areas of focus include:

Strengthening international air quality data collection standards.
Combining scientific research efforts among nations.
Identifying and sharing best practices and developing new technologies.

Air pollution knows no borders—everyone has a responsibility to protect our atmosphere and ensure healthy air for all. By collaborating across borders, sectors, and silos, we can reduce air pollution through collective investments of time, resources, and efforts.

What is the theme of Clean Air Day?

As highlighted in the 2025 World Air Quality Report, addressing both climate change and air pollution at the same time is a feasible, necessary goal. Timely environmental improvements can lead to better health outcomes.

This year, Clean Air Day’s theme is “Clean Air for Climate Action,” using the hashtag #CleanAirDay, to highlight the urgency and collective efforts needed in effecting impactful, positive change (2).

Global air quality guidelines

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its Global Air Quality Guidelines based on new scientific findings. These updates revealed that the harmful effects of air pollution occur much lower exposure levels than was previously known. In response to these findings, WHO reduced their acceptable levels of exposure to various air pollutants required to maintain healthy populations.

In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised its PM2.5 air quality standards, lowering the annual PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) from 12 μg/m3 to 9 μg/m3. The reduction created tighter baseline expectations requiring even less airborne pollutants to be considered clean air quality.

If more countries meet these lower target levels of air pollution, millions of lives will be saved. Still, experts estimate that nine out of ten people are consistently exposed to highly polluted air.

How you can take action

We’re all in this together. Governments, businesses, schools, individuals, and civil society can all make commitments to reduce air pollution, and help create a cleaner, greener world.

The role of private citizens

Individuals can enact localized air-quality-conscious decisions and make a difference by committing to eco-friendly lifestyle choices, such as:

Leaving vehicles at home and using public transportation, cycling, or walking more.
Reducing waste by reusing, recycling, and composting.
Adopting a plant-based diet.
Limiting use of single-use plastic products like straws, flatware, and condiment packets.
Conserving energy by turning off lights and electronics when not in use.
Purchasing energy-efficient appliances and air purifiers.

You can also become a citizen scientist, spreading awareness about air pollution and highlighting local sources of air pollution.

The role of governments

Governments at the national, state, and local level have enormous power in the battle for cleaner air. To honor World Clean Air Day, the UN recommends governments pledge to:

Join the BreatheLife Network to help raise public awareness of the harmful impacts of air pollution on health and climate.
Organize campaigns, events, and activities to engage and inform citizens.
Develop stronger air quality and climate change policies following the lead of the WHO’s air quality guidelines and the Paris Agreement.
Create air quality action plans and improve air quality monitoring systems.
Reduce fossil fuel subsidies and increase investments in renewable energy.
Phase out fossil fuel-burning vehicles and create policies that encourage clean energy sources in homes.
Improve solid waste management practices to decrease emissions.

On World Clean Air Day, city governments can offer free public transportation, hold tree-planting, bicycling, and walking events and in-person or virtual meetings with public officials and health professionals. Share pictures, videos, and stories of the day on social media using the hashtags #WorldCleanAirDay and #CleanAirNow.

The role of businesses

Businesses can have a significant impact in improving air quality within larger cities and communities through collective actions and company-wide implementations, such as:

Transitioning toward renewable energy sources.
Using recycled and recyclable materials in products and packaging.
Reducing air pollution emissions and waste from their production cycle.
Purchasing hybrid or electric vehicles for their company fleet.
Cooling facilities with fresh air ventilation or a hydrofluorocarbon system.
Implement energy-efficient HVAC air cleaners and pollutant monitors for company-wide awareness and employee safety.

On World Clean Air Day, businesses can announce their commitments to creating cleaner, more sustainable ways of conducting business.

The role of schools

Educating students about the importance of good air quality and sustainability is vital to maintain future environmental protections. Schools can:

Join the Schools4Earth program.
Apply for Clean Air for Kids funding.
\n
Advocate for electric buses and bicycle-friendly campuses.
Explore renewable energy options.
\nInstall air quality monitors on campuses and report the results to parents and the community.
Designate “no car idling” zones near campuses.
Create environmental clubs and organize tree-planting or garden-planting events.
\n

On September 7, register clean air events here, and share pictures, videos and stories on social media using the hashtags #WorldCleanAirDay and #CleanAirNow.

It starts with knowledge

In reality, most of the world’s population lacks access to real-time air quality data.

There is an ever-increasing need for comprehensive air quality monitoring and reporting systems. One such system delivers real-time air quality information to people in every corner of the world. A free download for this valuable air quality monitoring resource is available here.

Always know what’s in your air
with the #1 air quality app

Download AirVisual

Low-cost air quality monitors allow governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals to effectively increase air quality knowledge around the globe.

Conclusion

Clean air supports health, mitigates climate action, and builds stronger communities. Taking urgent action to clean the world’s air is a critical step towards creating a better planet for future generations.

The harms caused by air pollution are preventable. By raising air quality awareness and taking steps to solve the problem, we can begin to make the world a better place. Observing World Clean Air Day is a step towards achieving this goal. By participating and making changes, we contribute to a healthier planet and healthier lives for all.

","un-world-clean-air-day","gid://shopify/Article/606872011051","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/un-world-clean-air-day","2026-09-02T06:00:00Z",[411,14],"Get ready for World Clean Air Day",{"_50":851,"_206":852,"_204":853,"_208":475,"_210":476},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/419620487542","People biking in the city","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Article_UNWorldCleanAirDay_Desk_6d5ecc13-6b03-4f5e-90d4-2c8997095205.jpg?v=1788361300",{"_52":410},{"_63":61},"Discover how Southern California summer campers used real-time air quality sensors to measure pollution in their own homes and communities.","

Discover how Southern California summer campers used real-time air quality sensors to measure pollution in their own homes and communities.

","Air pollution can frequently impact air quality during Southern California summers. Wildfire smoke, dust storms, and vehicle emissions can impact kids’ breathing and health both indoors and outdoors. For young people, especially those in pollution-affected communities, understanding what's in the air is an opportunity to think about how they can contribute to improving air quality in their communities. The Southern California Chinese-American Environmental Protection Association (SCCAEPA) has spent six years giving young learners hands-on exposure to environmental science alongside working professionals (1). Three years ago, it added a dedicated air quality course to learn about air pollution and put sensors in students' hands so they can measure and analyze the air they breathe every day. Development of the environmental camp The SCCAEPA summer camp was built to cover \"all different kinds of topics for environmental studies,\" said Dr. Xiang Li, who joined the camp's organizing association, SCCAEPA, in 2024. Topics of study included healthy water, the human impact on river antibiotic resistance, and turning waste into solutions. But when he looked at the lineup that year, something stood out. \"There were no topics in this summer camp specifically focusing on air quality.\" Dr. Li felt that for an environmental program in Southern California, this was an educational opportunity worth advancing. Dr. Li, a program supervisor at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), saw an opportunity to make air quality personal for students by putting sensors in their hands—specifically, by having them deploy monitors at home. \"We thought about giving students a few sensors for them to deploy at home, at least one outdoor sensor and one indoor sensor,\" Dr. Li recalled. Low-cost air sensors bridged classroom fundamentals and the air that the students breathe by allowing them to apply what they learned to real-world air quality measurements. He identified this as \"another pretty important aspect of environmental studies.” AirVisual Pro Indoor Monitor. Source: IQAir. How the camp structure spurred student engagement The air quality program “Air Quality in Our Community” ran as a six-week camp, in June and July, with two-hour sessions held at South Coast AQMD’s headquarters. Classes met from the morning until noon, pausing for the July 4th weekend. That break became a useful measurement window for students collecting data at home. The first session was instructor-led. Dr. Li covered air quality fundamentals along with sensor components, operation, and home setup. \"I was trying to give them some air quality fundamentals,” he explained. “We talk about the air sensor fundamentals, tell them about the sensor components, how they operate, how to set up the sensors at home, and how to collect data.\" The students then took the lead from the second class onward. Throughout the remaining sessions, students gave their own presentations by researching topics like indoor ventilation, reading a sensor-based research paper on wildfire events, and ultimately presenting findings from their own at-home sensor deployments. Event banner for SCCAEPA. Source: IQAir. The program concluded with a group student presentation given to peers, parents, and members of SCCAEPA, held at South Coast AQMD’s headquarters (2). Dr. Li hopes students walk away with skills they can carry into adulthood. He hopes that learning how to read a scientific publication, give presentations, conduct data analysis, and communicate research findings will be highly useful during their college years and throughout their future professional lives. Collaboration through a shared air quality mission This year marked the first time IQAir sponsored sensors for the camp, a step up from the previous two years, when the team used IQAir AirVisual Pro units sourced internally from South Coast AQMD's own group. IQAir's sponsorship involved providing technical support and resources, including the indoor air quality monitors and providing an online dashboard and API access so students could download their sensor data for analysis. The camp's curriculum, structure, and educational goals were designed and delivered independently by SCCAEPA and its volunteer team. Volunteer collaboration has been the key to the camp’s sustained mission. The SCCAEPA team spans distinct but complementary roles. For instance, Dr. Kun Liu, a committee member since 2021, handled the camp's operations, including syllabus design, outreach, marketing, and recruiting both students and coaches. Like many involved in the camp, she brings her own expertise to the experience. Her subject expertise ranges from soil and plant science to waste reduction; this year she coached the camp's waste solutions track. Dr. Zihan Zhu, a member of SCCAEPA since graduate school, co-coached the camp by helping develop student projects and the indoor-outdoor sensor initiative. \"The summer camp is actually a really good opportunity for us to just to get to know these teenagers; to listen to them, to know what they care about, and apply this to our daily work,” said Dr. Zhu. What the sensors revealed The July 4th weekend and its accompanying fireworks became a natural focal point for student research. Fireworks made the holiday \"one of the worst PM 2.5 days in the region\" observed by the students, Li explained, and they used their home sensors to capture the levels of pollution during this event. Because students came from across Orange and Los Angeles Counties, the class produced a comparative picture of how pollution moves through the region. \"Students living in Santa Clarita and students living in Irvine probably saw the lowest PM 2.5 increase during July 4th and the 5th,\" Dr. Li said, \"but students living in more inland areas saw a greater and delayed PM 2.5 increase.\" That spatial pattern lined up with what students were learning about meteorology. Because the dominant onshore winds in Southern California carry air from the coast inland, students could see that mechanism reflected in their own data. The indoor-outdoor sensor pairs produced a second strand of findings that hit closer to home. By comparing readings from both monitors, students could see how well their own homes were sealed against outdoor pollution. Some students found indoor-outdoor PM 2.5 ratios near one-to-one, suggesting open windows or poor sealing. Others found ratios closer to 50%, indicating a home better protected from outdoor air. From those comparisons came a practical takeaway: opening windows can improve indoor ventilation but knowing what air quality is like outdoors is a necessary first step. Conclusion The SCCAEPA environment camp’s air quality program was effective because it treated students as capable investigators of their own environment. Over six weeks, students moved from air quality fundamentals to deploying sensors in their own homes, analyzing real pollution events, and presenting findings to their peers. The camp's model of putting science fundamental first, then fostering student-led inquiry with air quality monitoring tools, helped ground the students’ understanding of the air they breathe.","

Air pollution can frequently impact air quality during Southern California summers. Wildfire smoke, dust storms, and vehicle emissions can impact kids’ breathing and health both indoors and outdoors. For young people, especially those in pollution-affected communities, understanding what's in the air is an opportunity to think about how they can contribute to improving air quality in their communities.

The Southern California Chinese-American Environmental Protection Association (SCCAEPA) has spent six years giving young learners hands-on exposure to environmental science alongside working professionals (1). Three years ago, it added a dedicated air quality course to learn about air pollution and put sensors in students' hands so they can measure and analyze the air they breathe every day.

Development of the environmental camp

The SCCAEPA summer camp was built to cover \"all different kinds of topics for environmental studies,\" said Dr. Xiang Li, who joined the camp's organizing association, SCCAEPA, in 2024. Topics of study included healthy water, the human impact on river antibiotic resistance, and turning waste into solutions.

But when he looked at the lineup that year, something stood out.

\"There were no topics in this summer camp specifically focusing on air quality.\" Dr. Li felt that for an environmental program in Southern California, this was an educational opportunity worth advancing.

Dr. Li, a program supervisor at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), saw an opportunity to make air quality personal for students by putting sensors in their hands—specifically, by having them deploy monitors at home.

\"We thought about giving students a few sensors for them to deploy at home, at least one outdoor sensor and one indoor sensor,\" Dr. Li recalled. Low-cost air sensors bridged classroom fundamentals and the air that the students breathe by allowing them to apply what they learned to real-world air quality measurements. He identified this as \"another pretty important aspect of environmental studies.”

$\"\"$

AirVisual Pro Indoor Monitor. Source: IQAir.

How the camp structure spurred student engagement

The air quality program “Air Quality in Our Community” ran as a six-week camp, in June and July, with two-hour sessions held at South Coast AQMD’s headquarters. Classes met from the morning until noon, pausing for the July 4th weekend. That break became a useful measurement window for students collecting data at home.

The first session was instructor-led. Dr. Li covered air quality fundamentals along with sensor components, operation, and home setup.

\"I was trying to give them some air quality fundamentals,” he explained. “We talk about the air sensor fundamentals, tell them about the sensor components, how they operate, how to set up the sensors at home, and how to collect data.\"

The students then took the lead from the second class onward. Throughout the remaining sessions, students gave their own presentations by researching topics like indoor ventilation, reading a sensor-based research paper on wildfire events, and ultimately presenting findings from their own at-home sensor deployments.

$\"\"$

Event banner for SCCAEPA. Source: IQAir.

The program concluded with a group student presentation given to peers, parents, and members of SCCAEPA, held at South Coast AQMD’s headquarters (2).

Dr. Li hopes students walk away with skills they can carry into adulthood. He hopes that learning how to read a scientific publication, give presentations, conduct data analysis, and communicate research findings will be highly useful during their college years and throughout their future professional lives.

Collaboration through a shared air quality mission

This year marked the first time IQAir sponsored sensors for the camp, a step up from the previous two years, when the team used IQAir AirVisual Pro units sourced internally from South Coast AQMD's own group.

IQAir's sponsorship involved providing technical support and resources, including the indoor air quality monitors and providing an online dashboard and API access so students could download their sensor data for analysis. The camp's curriculum, structure, and educational goals were designed and delivered independently by SCCAEPA and its volunteer team.

Volunteer collaboration has been the key to the camp’s sustained mission. The SCCAEPA team spans distinct but complementary roles. For instance, Dr. Kun Liu, a committee member since 2021, handled the camp's operations, including syllabus design, outreach, marketing, and recruiting both students and coaches. Like many involved in the camp, she brings her own expertise to the experience. Her subject expertise ranges from soil and plant science to waste reduction; this year she coached the camp's waste solutions track.

Dr. Zihan Zhu, a member of SCCAEPA since graduate school, co-coached the camp by helping develop student projects and the indoor-outdoor sensor initiative.

\"The summer camp is actually a really good opportunity for us to just to get to know these teenagers; to listen to them, to know what they care about, and apply this to our daily work,” said Dr. Zhu.

What the sensors revealed

The July 4th weekend and its accompanying fireworks became a natural focal point for student research.

Fireworks made the holiday \"one of the worst PM 2.5 days in the region\" observed by the students, Li explained, and they used their home sensors to capture the levels of pollution during this event.

Because students came from across Orange and Los Angeles Counties, the class produced a comparative picture of how pollution moves through the region.

\"Students living in Santa Clarita and students living in Irvine probably saw the lowest PM 2.5 increase during July 4th and the 5th,\" Dr. Li said, \"but students living in more inland areas saw a greater and delayed PM 2.5 increase.\"

That spatial pattern lined up with what students were learning about meteorology. Because the dominant onshore winds in Southern California carry air from the coast inland, students could see that mechanism reflected in their own data.

The indoor-outdoor sensor pairs produced a second strand of findings that hit closer to home. By comparing readings from both monitors, students could see how well their own homes were sealed against outdoor pollution. Some students found indoor-outdoor PM 2.5 ratios near one-to-one, suggesting open windows or poor sealing. Others found ratios closer to 50%, indicating a home better protected from outdoor air.

From those comparisons came a practical takeaway: opening windows can improve indoor ventilation but knowing what air quality is like outdoors is a necessary first step.

Conclusion

The SCCAEPA environment camp’s air quality program was effective because it treated students as capable investigators of their own environment.

Over six weeks, students moved from air quality fundamentals to deploying sensors in their own homes, analyzing real pollution events, and presenting findings to their peers. The camp's model of putting science fundamental first, then fostering student-led inquiry with air quality monitoring tools, helped ground the students’ understanding of the air they breathe.

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