Since the begining, the World Air Quality Index (WAQI) project team has always been keen on providing a transparent Air Qualitty Infomration to the world citizens. The WAQI project has also always been keen on providing historical Air Quality Data to relevant institutions and organizations working in the area of environmental awareness, air quality monitoring, as well as health and epidemiological studies. Here are few of our partners and colleagues to which we have been providing historical air quality data information:
United Framework
In order to make the historical Air Quality Data dissemination even more relevant, the World Air Quality Index team has been investigating with the most relevant international institutions the possibility to setup an open data framework. Here are fews of the institutions we have engaged:
The open data framework objective is to provide unlimited and free access the world historical and real-time Air Quality data from the 100+ countries covered on aqicn.org Everyone - both institutions as well as citizens - agrees that this is not only a good idea, but that it should *just* happen.
Free Downloadable Database
The daily average air quality data for all of the stations can be downloaded freely from the form below. Note that all the figures are converted to AQI using the US EPA standard: i.e. we do not publish the raw concentrations, but only the AQI.
Enter the name of a city or location
Or select one the stations your previously visited:
0~25
25~50
50~75
75~100
100~125
125~150
150~175
175~200
200~300
300~400
>400
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Notes:
The Air Quality data is currently only available for the past 7 years, from 2014 until now. If you need data before this period, we recommend to either contact the originating EPA, or consider using estimates based on remote sensing data (WHO).
In the above data, we publish the "Individual pollutant" Air Quality index. For instance, if you check the figures for PM2.5, they correspond to the PM2.5 individual AQI (noted as AQIPM2.5). If you want to calculate the overall AQI, aka composite AQI, you need to take the maximum of all individual AQI:
AQI = max( AQIPM2.5, AQIPM10, AQIO3, ...)
Last if you need the real-time data instead, try the API page. It's free too!
Inquiry & Registration
If the above data does not work for you, and you are from an international institution, organization or university you can register your interest with the form below. Note that this registration is only at intent level, for us to consolidate the list of all interested parties, and does not bound you, nor the world air quality index project, to any obligations.
Contributing to the Project
The World Air Quality project might look like one of those projects comming from big organizations... but it is actually a small team behind it.
Despite its expensive outreach, the project has never received any financial support or fundings from any of the above world institutions, nor from any government or NGO.
The limited income is based on advertising, and is mainly used to cover the infrastructure and hardware cost.
Rather than asking for money, we prefer asking for contributors who can help with their time, for instance to develop this open data platform. We are looking for scientists, engineers, environmental specialists, writers, researchers... Check the contribute page for more info.
Data Credits
The open data framework would not be possible without the work from the worldwide EPA, which should get the credits for their monitoring programs.
About the Air Quality and Pollution Measurement:
About the Air Quality Levels
AQI
Air Pollution Level
Health Implications
Cautionary Statement (for PM2.5)
0 - 50
Good
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk
None
51 -100
Moderate
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
101-150
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
151-200
Unhealthy
Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion
201-300
Very Unhealthy
Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
300+
Hazardous
Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects
For very useful health advices of Beijing Doctor Richard Saint Cyr MD, check www.myhealthbeijing.com blog.
Usage Notice: All the Air Quality data are unvalidated at the time of publication, and due to quality assurance these data may be amended, without notice, at any time. The World Air Quality Index project has exercised all reasonable skill and care in compiling the contents of this information and under no circumstances will the World Air Quality Index project team or its agents be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any loss, injury or damage arising directly or indirectly from the supply of this data.
