Ambient Air Quality Data from Global, Regional, and National Sources

curdoorswildgiloud
Aug 6, 2023
10 min read

How to Download Air Quality Datasets and Why They Matter

Air quality is a vital factor that affects our health, environment, and economy. Poor air quality can cause serious diseases, such as asthma, stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and premature death. It can also contribute to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99 per cent of the global population breathes unclean air, and air pollution causes 7 million premature deaths a year.

Fortunately, there are many sources of data that can help us monitor, understand, and improve air quality. In this article, we will explain what are air quality datasets, how they are measured, where you can find and download them, and how you can use and analyze them for various purposes.

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What are air quality datasets and how are they measured?

Air quality datasets contain information on various pollutants in the air

Air pollutants are substances that have harmful effects on humans or the environment. They come from different sources, such as fossil fuel combustion, industrial activities, agricultural practices, natural events, and household activities. Some of the most common air pollutants are particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Air quality datasets are collections of data that provide information on the levels, trends, sources, and impacts of these pollutants in the air. They can cover different spatial scales (global, regional, national, or local), temporal scales (hourly, daily, monthly, or yearly), and types of data (raw, processed, or aggregated).

Air quality is measured by different methods, such as ground stations, satellites, and sensors

There are various methods to measure air quality, depending on the type of pollutant, the location, the purpose, and the availability of resources. Some of the most common methods are:

Ground stations: These are fixed or mobile devices that measure air pollutants at specific locations using physical or chemical techniques. They can provide accurate and reliable data for local or regional areas. However, they may have limited coverage, high costs, and maintenance issues, and potential interferences or errors.

Satellites: These are orbiting devices that measure air pollutants from space using remote sensing techniques. They can provide global and consistent data for large areas. However, they may have low spatial and temporal resolution, limited vertical information, and uncertainties due to atmospheric conditions or cloud cover.

Sensors: These are small and low-cost devices that measure air pollutants using electronic or optical techniques. They can provide high spatial and temporal resolution, flexibility, and accessibility for local or personal areas. However, they may have low accuracy, precision, and reliability, and require calibration and validation.

Air quality is reported using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which ranges from 0 to 500

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a common way to report and communicate air quality to the public. It is a numerical scale that indicates how clean or polluted the air is, and what health effects may be expected. The AQI is calculated based on the concentrations of one or more pollutants in the air, such as PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO, or VOCs. The AQI ranges from 0 to 500, where 0 means the air is very clean and 500 means the air is very polluted. The AQI also has six color-coded categories that correspond to different levels of health risk, as shown in the table below.

AQI

Where can you find and download air quality datasets?

Some examples of sources for air quality datasets are:

The World Health Organization (WHO) Ambient Air Quality Database

The WHO Ambient Air Quality Database is a global database that contains annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 for more than 4,300 cities in 108 countries. The database is updated every two years and provides a basis for assessing the health impacts of air pollution and the progress of air quality management. You can download the latest version of the database from the WHO website.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AirData

The EPA AirData is a web-based system that provides access to air quality data collected by the EPA, state, local, and tribal air pollution control agencies in the United States. The system contains hourly, daily, and annual data for criteria pollutants, such as O3, NO2, SO2, CO, PM2.5, and PM10, as well as meteorological data, such as temperature, wind speed, and humidity. You can download the data in various formats from the EPA AirData website.

The Kaggle Air Quality Dataset

The Kaggle Air Quality Dataset is a collection of air quality data from various sources around the world. The dataset contains hourly or daily data for different pollutants, such as PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO, and VOCs, as well as AQI values and weather data. The dataset covers different time periods and locations, such as Beijing, London, Madrid, New York, Paris, and Seoul. You can download the dataset from the Kaggle website.

How can you use and analyze air quality datasets?

Air quality datasets can be used for various purposes, such as:

Tracking potential exposures and evaluating health impacts

Air quality datasets can help you estimate the exposure levels of different populations to air pollutants and assess the associated health risks. For example, you can use the WHO Ambient Air Quality Database to compare the annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 in different cities and regions with the WHO Air Quality Guidelines, which provide recommended thresholds for protecting human health. You can also use the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, which estimates the mortality and morbidity attributable to air pollution for different countries and regions.

air quality database WHO update 2023

air quality data portal EPA pre-generated files

air quality chemical multisensor device dataset Kaggle

air quality monitoring program data formats and descriptions

air quality index values by CBSA or county annual summary

air pollution data portal WHO ambient air quality database

air quality e-reporting database European Environment Agency

air quality chemical sensors hourly averaged responses dataset

air quality system AQS code tables for parameter classes

air quality data API EPA web services documentation

air pollution measurement data by country and city WHO

air quality data archive EPA toxics value added product

air quality chemical sensor device location and pollution level

air quality criteria gases particulates meteorological toxics data

air quality data collection agencies reporting deadlines EPA

air pollution data for sustainable development goals indicator WHO

air quality data portal EPA blanks data for speciation QA

air quality chemical sensor device array of 5 metal oxide sensors

air quality annual summary files all data in one file EPA

air pollution data sources official national and subnational reports WHO

air quality data portal EPA ozone precursors and lead data

air quality chemical sensor device significantly polluted area dataset

air quality daily summary files data grouped by parameter EPA

air pollution data update 2023 released on 15 May 2023 WHO

air quality data portal EPA sample data as reported raw data

air quality chemical sensor device Italian city road level dataset

air quality daily AQI files criteria gases and PM10 and PM2.5 EPA

air pollution data update 2023 6th edition version 6.0 WHO

air quality data portal EPA 8-hour average data tables

air quality chemical sensor device hourly data 9357 instances dataset

air quality hourly data files tables of hourly values EPA

air pollution data update 2023 over 8600 human settlements WHO

air quality data portal EPA methods used for compiling the database

air quality chemical sensor device nitrogen dioxide concentration dataset

air quality site and monitor descriptions table EPA

air pollution data update 2023 more than 120 countries WHO

air quality data portal EPA frequently asked questions about the database

air quality chemical sensor device particulate matter concentration dataset

air quality table of annual summary data EPA

air pollution data update 2023 core HAPS and VOCs parameters WHO

air quality data portal EPA related indicator AQI in cities

air quality chemical sensor device ambient temperature and humidity dataset

air quality tables of daily and daily summary data EPA

air pollution data update 2023 nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter WHO

air quality data portal EPA Clean Air for Asia regional network

air quality chemical sensor device carbon monoxide concentration dataset

air quality tables of blanks data EPA

air pollution data update 2023 AirNow Programme from US embassies WHO

Estimating the positive health impacts of improving air quality

Air quality datasets can help you quantify the potential benefits of reducing air pollution levels and achieving cleaner air. For example, you can use the Health Effects Institute (HEI) State of Global Air Report, which provides estimates of how many lives could be saved by meeting the WHO Air Quality Guidelines or other targets for different countries and regions. You can also use the WHO Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT), which calculates the economic savings from reduced mortality due to improved air quality.

Prioritizing emission sources and designing policies for risk reduction

Air quality datasets can help you identify the major sources of air pollution and their contributions to ambient concentrations and exposures. For example, you can use the EDGAR Emissions Database, which provides global gridded emissions data for different sectors and pollutants, such as energy, industry, transport, agriculture, waste, and residential. You can also use the Emissions Gap Report, which evaluates the progress of national and international actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming.

Supporting community-level air quality initiatives and research

Air quality datasets can help you engage with local stakeholders and conduct your own research on air quality issues. For example, you can use the OpenAQ Platform, which aggregates real-time air quality data from more than 100 countries and provides an open-source platform for accessing, sharing, and analyzing the data. You can also use the Citizen Science Toolkit, which provides guidance on how to design, implement, and evaluate your own air quality monitoring projects using low-cost sensors.

Visualizing air pollution exposure and empowering people to protect themselves

Air quality datasets can help you communicate and raise awareness about air quality problems and solutions. For example, you can use the BreatheLife Campaign, which provides interactive maps, stories, and tips on how to reduce air pollution and protect your health. You can also use the AirVisual App, which provides real-time and forecast air quality data, health recommendations, and personal exposure tracking for more than 10,000 locations worldwide.

Conclusion

Air quality is a crucial issue that affects everyone on the planet. By downloading and using air quality datasets, you can gain valuable insights into the causes, effects, and solutions of air pollution. You can also contribute to the global efforts to improve air quality and protect human health and the environment. Whether you are a researcher, a policy maker, a citizen scientist, or a concerned individual, you can find and access a variety of air quality datasets from different sources and platforms. We hope this article has helped you learn how to download air quality datasets and why they matter.

FAQs

What are some common air pollutants and their health effects?

Some of the most common air pollutants and their health effects are:

Particulate matter (PM): These are tiny particles of solid or liquid matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, heart attack, and stroke.

Ozone (O3): This is a gas that forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react with sunlight. It can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and cause lung inflammation, reduced lung function, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2): This is a gas that comes from the combustion of fossil fuels, such as vehicles, power plants, and industrial processes. It can increase the risk of respiratory infections, asthma, and lung cancer.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2): This is a gas that comes from the burning of coal, oil, and other sulfur-containing fuels. It can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and bronchoconstriction.

Carbon monoxide (CO): This is a colorless and odorless gas that comes from incomplete combustion of fuels, such as vehicles, heaters, stoves, and fireplaces. It can reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and death.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): These are organic chemicals that evaporate easily into the air from various sources, such as paints, solvents, cleaners, cosmetics, and pesticides. They can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, liver and kidney damage, and cancer.

How often are air quality datasets updated?

The frequency of updating air quality datasets depends on the source and the type of data. Some sources update their data in real-time or near real-time, such as the OpenAQ Platform, which collects data from more than 15,000 ground stations every 10 minutes. Some sources update their data daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly, such as the EPA AirData, which provides daily summaries and annual statistics of air quality data. Some sources update their data every few years, such as the WHO Ambient Air Quality Database, which releases new versions every two years.

What are some challenges and limitations of air quality datasets?

Some of the challenges and limitations of air quality datasets are:

Data quality: The accuracy, precision, reliability, and validity of air quality data may vary depending on the method, instrument, location, time, and condition of measurement. Some data may have errors, gaps, outliers, or biases that need to be corrected or accounted for.

Data availability: The coverage, accessibility, and timeliness of air quality data may differ depending on the source and the type of data. Some data may have limited spatial or temporal resolution, or may not be publicly available or easily accessible.

Data comparability: The consistency, standardization, and harmonization of air quality data may differ depending on the source and the type of data. Some data may have different units, scales, formats, definitions, or methodologies that need to be converted or aligned.

Data interpretation: The meaning, relevance, and implication of air quality data may depend on the context and the purpose of analysis. Some data may require additional information, such as exposure estimates, health effects models, or socioeconomic factors to provide a comprehensive picture of air quality.

How can I contribute to improving air quality in my area?

There are many ways you can contribute to improving air quality in your area. Some of them are:

Monitor your local air quality: You can use various tools and apps to check the current and forecast air quality in your area and plan your activities accordingly. You can also use low-cost sensors or citizen science projects to measure your own air quality and share your data with others.

Reduce your emissions: You can adopt more sustainable modes of transportation, such as walking, biking, carpooling, or using public transportation, instead of driving alone. You can also use more energy-efficient appliances, such as LED lights, solar panels, or smart thermostats, and switch to renewable or clean sources of energy, such as wind, solar, or hydro power.

Advocate for better policies: You can support and participate in local, national, and international initiatives and campaigns that aim to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can also contact your representatives and demand more action and accountability from governments and corporations.

Educate yourself and others: You can learn more about the causes, effects, and solutions of air pollution and share your knowledge and experience with your family, friends, neighbors, and community. You can also join or create groups and networks that promote awareness and action on air quality issues.

Where can I find more information and resources on air quality?

There are many sources of information and resources on air quality that you can explore. Some of them are:

The WHO Air Quality Portal: This is a comprehensive website that provides information on the health impacts, guidelines, standards, monitoring, assessment, and management of air quality. It also provides links to various publications, reports, databases, tools, and events related to air quality.

The Clean Air Hub: This is a global platform that connects people and organizations working on air quality issues. It provides resources, stories, news, events, and opportunities to learn, share, and collaborate on improving air quality.

The Air Quality Podcast: This is a podcast that features interviews with experts and practitioners on various topics related to air quality. It covers the latest research, trends, challenges, and solutions of air pollution.

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