Kozhikode air quality map

How much information about air quality is there on the air pollution map for Kozhikode?

There is a great deal of mesmerising information about air quality on the air pollution map for Kozhikode and it is easy to get to from the main city page. Clicking on the air pollution map will open a new set of pages which are filled with the latest facts and figures about the current state of the air.

When these new pages first open, the user will notice a strong colouration on the air pollution map for Kozhikode which indicates the current state of the air. The meaning of the various colours can be seen in the legend at the foot of the page. They vary between pale green and dark maroon and get darker as the air quality worsens. They are used as a standard across the entire IQAir website.

On some maps, there are some coloured discs scattered across them which represent the locations of the ground-level air quality monitoring stations that provide all the latest information about air quality for the city. In the middle of each disc is a number which is the United States Air Quality Index reading or US AQI for short. This figure is calculated by measuring the levels of six of the most commonly found pollutants in city air. These are usually both sizes of Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.

Once this figure has been established it is used as a standard when comparing air pollution in different locations all over the world. The entire system is encouraged by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Referring back to the main city page, it can be seen in the coloured banner across the top of it that at the end of May 2023, Kozhikode was going through a period of “Moderate” air quality with a US AQI reading of 76. The yellow background colouration of the banner also reflects this level and the asterisk to the right of the number shows it is calculated using data from satellite modelling and not from physical stations. The results though are just the same. The main pollutant was identified as being PM2.5 with a recorded level of 24.1 µg/m³ (microns per cubic metre). This level is almost five times higher than the suggested target level of 5 µg/m³ as recommended by the WHO.

Are there many more interesting facts and figures about air pollution on the air quality map for Kozhikode?

There are a lot more fascinating facts and figures about air pollution on the air quality map for Kozhikode and it is very easy to access by selecting the “full-screen” icon at the top right-hand side of the opening page. This will re-open a new set of pages at maximum size so that all information will be clearly seen.

Once this new set of pages opens, a list of four options will be seen on the left-hand side of the screen. These options can all be individually deactivated to see the full effects they each have on the map.

The first option would show the sites of the ground-level air quality monitoring stations but, as already stated, Kozhikode gets this information from overhead satellites. The nearest station on the map is at Coimbatore towards the east of the city.

Option number two reveals the positions of any wildfires there are that happen to be burning out of control in the region. Late May/early June 2023 saw no fires burning in the area. When fires are detected then option number four needs to be looked into because it shows the speed and direction of the prevailing winds and will show a good indication of where the smoke may drift.

Option number three can be very theatrical because it changes the colour of the map to show the current air quality. When the quality is poor, the map will appear quite dark and possibly distracting. If the colour is too dark, the option can be turned off and the map will then revert to a more subdued palette.

The remaining facts and figures are over on the right-hand side of the screen. A table will be found here which ranks the top seven cities according to their levels of air pollution. The rest of the participating cities can be seen by exploring the “full-screen” section which will open a new set of pages which lists them all in descending order.

Can the source of the polluted air be seen on the air quality map for Kozhikode?

The source of air pollution is not directly shown on the air quality map for Kozhikode but it is known that the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, petroleum and wood), mining, industry, transport means, smoking, use of chemicals and radioactivity all add to the pollution of the air.

Pollution can also come from natural sources such as material from volcanic eruptions, dust storms, forest fires and landslides in mountainous areas. And because the particles are so fine, they are carried by the wind for long distances, even from foreign countries.

Air pollution is a slow poison which is gradually having adverse effects on the entire organic and inorganic world.

PM2.5 and PM10 are often mentioned on the air pollution map for Kozhikode, but what are they?

Due to the increasing number of vehicles and decreasing number of trees, the type of pollution and its intensity is increasing year by year. In big cities, air pollution can reach very dangerous levels. This is because of the PM2.5 and PM10 particles present in the air. These particles cause great harm to everyone's health. When the level of these particles increases in the air, then there is difficulty in breathing, burning sensation in the eyes etc.

PM is also called Particulate Matter or particle pollution, which is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets present in the atmosphere. The particles present in the air are so small that you cannot see them with the naked eye. They are so small that they can only be detected using an electron microscope.

When you breathe, these particles go into the lungs, which can lead to coughing and asthma attacks. High blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and many more are at risk of serious diseases, it can also result in premature death.