AIR POLLUTION INDEX

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter,

or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or
other living organisms, or damages the natural environment into
the atmosphere.
The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous system that is
essential to support life on planet Earth. Stratospheric ozone
depletion due to air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to
human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) (also known as the Air Pollution
Index (API) or Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) is a number used by
government agencies to characterize the quality of the air at a given location. As
the AQI increases, an increasingly large percentage of
the population is likely to experience increasingly severe adverse
health effects. To compute the AQI requires an air pollutant
concentration from a monitor or model. The function used to convert
from air pollutant concentration to AQI varies by pollutant, and is
different in different countries. Air quality index values are divided
into ranges, and each range is assigned a descriptor and a color code.
Standardized public health advisories are associated with each AQI
range. An agency might also encourage members of the public to take public
transportation or work from home when AQI levels are high.
Limitations of the AQI
Most air contaminants do not have an associated AQI. Many countries
monitor ground-level ozone, particulates, sulphur dioxide, carbon
monoxide and nitrogen dioxide and calculate air quality indices for
these pollutants.
Causes of Poor Air Quality
The AQI can worsen (go up) due to lack of dilution of air emissions
by fresh air. Stagnant air, often caused by
an anticyclone or temperature inversion, or other lack of winds lets air
pollution remain in a local area.
Indices by location
South Korea
The Ministry of Environment of South Korea uses the Comprehensice
Air-quality Index (CAI) to describe the ambient air quality based on
health risk of air pollution. The index aims to help the public easily
understand air quality level and protect the health of people from air pollution. -
The CAI has values of 0 through 500, which are divided into six categories. The
higher the CAI value, the greater the level of
air pollution. - Of values of the five air pollutants, the highest is the CAI value.
Malaysia
The air quality in Malaysia is reported as the API or Air Pollution
Index. Four of the index's pollutant components (i.e., carbon
monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide) are reported
in PM10 particulate matter is reported in g/m³.
Unlike the American AQI, the index number can exceed 500. Above
500, a state of emergency is declared in the reporting area. Usually,
this means that non-essential government services are suspended, and
all ports in the affected area closed. There may also be a prohibition
on private sector commercial and industrial activities in the reporting
area excluding the food sector.