Understanding Air Quality: What it is and what you need to know

We all know what air is, we breathe it, we feel it in our face when the wind blows or when we open a window. However, when we inhale we are exposed to different levels of Air Quality, meaning that the condition of the air in the environment has different impacts on our health and well-being depending on the presence of various gases, particles, and pollutants. While we do not always perceive it, it is a crucial aspect of our daily lives.

Air Quality is determined by measuring the concentration of those various components. Particulate Matter (PM) are small, suspended particles in the air which can come from various sources such as vehicles exhaust, industrial activities, and even from living organisms such as plants and threes. These particles can be inhaled and enter our lungs, increasing the probability of respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and health concerns. The presence of gases and pollutants in the air (such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds) also have a major impact on air quality. These gases have different origins but can easily escalate by reacting with different compounds and pose serious health risks and compromise concentration, performance and thinking process.

A very basic but easy way to understand and know the Air Quality that we are breathing is to measure the Air Quality Index (AQI). There are many different indexes regarding it, but most have as major concern the impact the air can have on the human health. While this can be a good indicator of overall quality of the air we are exposed to, when we want to better understand we need to further investigate, and measure different components present in the air and seek medical advice.

In conclusion, Air Quality is a critical factor that impacts our health, the environment, and our overall well-being. It refers to the condition of the air in terms of the presence of pollutants, particulate matter, and gases. Poor air quality can have severe consequences for human health and the environment, and it is important to monitor and take steps to improve air quality through individual and collective efforts. Only this way we can contribute to creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for ourselves and future generations.