Levvitate Solutions, LLC


10 June 2023





Data Speaks: Fine Particulates & AQI



Recent photos of New York City covered in a a haze reminded me of the Stephen King movie, The Mist. However, this haze wasn't a ground level cloud it was smoke from a wildfire in Canada.

I recall checking in on friends out west a few years ago when they were having a similar climate crisis. I never imagined it could happen in my area of the country. However, as I sat hiding in my house, or wearing an N95 in my back yard, I was reminded that we are all connected and the concept of pollution, poverty, crime and climate change happening elsewhere, but not in my backyard, is a foolish fantasy.


Air Quality Index

Most of us have, at one time or another, seen an air quality alert issued on television or online, or even announced by radio. The U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI) is based on an interval of 0 to 500, and measure the level of pollution. The scale has multiple ranges, with associated colors as shown in the figure below (Airnow.gov AQI Basics for Ozone and Particle Pollution).





Pollution is generally higher in larger cities with more commerce and traffic, more paved surfaces and energy use, corresponding to a lower air quality. The wildfire in Canada is the most recent environmental effect that has compounded the pollution in those areas, as well as in areas where the air quality is generally better than in larger cities.


The things we can't see that can hurt us.

Below is the snapshot of the air quality rating for my area today (Accuweather.com Air Quality Index). Of concern is the fine particulate matter and the particulate matter. I confirmed that the N95 mask can filter out particle sizes of 0.1 to 0.3 micron but after the COVID-19 pandemic ended, I never imagined that I would need to wear a mask outdoors again.






I was interested to find out how much the AQI changes in a single location over a period of months. Looking at one of the data collection sites in Cleveland, Ohio, the most interesting finding was that the CO and NO2 concentration levels had similar patterns however, there were periods where one peaked and the other did not. For example, at the end of February 2023 the pattern changed. More time would be needed to uncover why the patterns changed. For now I am recommending that everyone check the air quality daily and to wear a mask outdoors, especially for those who have respiratory problems---and those who want to prevent respiratory problems.