Historical air quality data can provide a wealth of information for policymakers, scientists, and business leaders seeking to protect sensitive groups from air pollution. Long-term air quality data monitors seasonal and annual trends, assesses the effect of different pollutant types, and reveals new insights into building climate resilience in communities.
Understanding Historical Air Quality Data
With air pollution, historical data can provide context for current air quality while predicting future trends. This information is derived from monitoring stations, satellite data, and research conducted by environmental agencies, such as the EPA.
Key Pollutants Tracked in Air Quality History
Different pollutants have different effects on both human and environmental health. These include:
Particulate Matter (PM): These are measured by particle size, including PM2.5 and PM10. Made of different types of chemicals, they are inhaled and cause serious health issues.
Ozone: This is a highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen molecules, often produced by industrial sources such as smokestacks and car exhaust. At ground level, ozone is a harmful pollutant that irritates the lungs and increases the risk of respiratory illnesses and certain cancers. Unlike stratospheric ozone, which protects us by absorbing UV radiation, ground-level ozone is a major component of smog and poses serious health risks, especially during summer months.
Nitrogen Dioxide: NO2 is produced from the burning of fuel sources. It interacts with other gases and is converted into particulate matter or ozone, leading to respiratory issues.
Sulfur Dioxide: Also caused by fuel combustion, sulfur dioxide can create PM and cause health problems. It also creates acid rain, which damages plants and buildings.
Carbon Monoxide: Incomplete fuel combustion creates carbon monoxide, which is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly, but long-term exposure can also lead to vision problems and neurological damage.
How Historical Data Reveals Long-Term Trends
A historical database helps state governments, scientists, and others understand how the AQI may change based on factors such as season, industrial growth, transportation shifts, or environmental policies. For example, if the number of cars on the road per day leads to higher ozone, governments can impose car restrictions and monitor their impact.
Air Quality Index History by City
By using air quality samples collected from outdoor monitors, AQI dashboards can measure the average pollutant levels in different cities and regions. For example, Delhi, India, has some of the worst AQI in the world due to its rapid industrial growth, lax environmental regulations, high population density, and significant car traffic.
Suburban and rural areas tend to have different pollution profiles than urban areas, largely due to the absence of industry and the presence of higher vegetation that can absorb hazardous chemicals.
Tools like Visual Crossing can provide a map of the air quality index history by city, which can be invaluable to a broad range of stakeholders. City planners can determine the optimal site for a new power plant, while climatologists querying data on ozone levels across a certain state can analyze how the measured value changes based on whether the area is rural, urban, or suburban.
Linking Air Quality History to Environmental Impact
Air quality significantly impacts the environment. Low air quality can harm delicate plant species, while others, such as certain fungi, may actually help absorb pollution. Ozone traps UV rays, leading to higher average temperatures over time and altering the climate. Particulate matter may reduce biodiversity by reducing access to certain food sources or lowering fertility.
By reviewing historical data, researchers can distinguish the impacts of different chemicals from one another and develop plans to improve environmental health by targeting specific pollutants.
Understanding the Health Effects of Poor Historical Air Quality
Air quality effects are not limited to the environment; they also impact human health. Prolonged exposure to high pollution levels can cause asthma, heart disease, and cognitive deficits, especially in children. Even spending an hour or two in highly polluted environments can have lasting effects on overall health, particularly with high PM or CO levels.
Taking a holistic view of air quality over a longer timeline can help governments determine how to protect their citizens and enable individuals to take precautionary measures when air quality is expected to be lower.
Tools and Resources for Accessing Historical Air Quality Data
Researchers, policymakers, and the public can view, review, and download air quality datasets from government databases, such as the EPA’s AQS Data Mart. This tool displays current and historical data from outdoor monitors across the US. It is updated daily and displayed in local standard time.
Users can also use the Daily Air Quality Tracker page to filter by year, region, and pollution type, then download a copy to analyze with specialized analytics tools.
Open-access platforms like Clear Collaborative provide a link to numerous air quality trackers, filtered by update frequency and location. These are all accessible to the general public.
Using Historical Air Quality Data for Future Planning
While current air quality is important, reviewing historical data can inform urban planning, transportation policies, and industrial regulations by revealing how air quality changes in response to previous events. It is vital for forecasting potential air quality emergencies and preventing future health issues.
This data also has value for everyday individuals who want to take charge of their health. People with underlying health conditions may also want to know the air quality index forecast when deciding whether to visit a certain location, as avoiding times when pollution is at its highest can protect them.
Final Thoughts on the Value of Historical Air Quality Records
Historical air quality data has a clear purpose in protecting the environment and public health. Through data analysis, policymakers and researchers can understand how air quality changes in relation to seasonal variations, industrial activities, and regulatory changes, allowing for more proactive planning.