Rawalpindi Air Quality
Pakistan · Updated 12:54 PM
Health Recommendations — Moderate
- Acceptable quality for most people.
- Unusually sensitive individuals may consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
Pollutant Breakdown
Fine particles ≤2.5μm. Penetrate deep into lungs. Major source: combustion, smoke, dust.
Coarse particles ≤10μm. Includes pollen, dust. Can irritate the respiratory system.
Ground-level ozone. Formed by sunlight reacting with pollutants. Causes respiratory irritation.
Nitrogen dioxide. Primarily from vehicle exhaust and power plants. Irritates airways.
Carbon monoxide. Odourless gas from incomplete combustion. Reduces oxygen delivery in blood.
Sulphur dioxide. From burning coal and volcanic activity. Can trigger asthma attacks.
Higher wind speeds help disperse pollutants and improve air quality.
Dust particles from arid regions, deserts, and dry soil.
Moderate UV — standard precautions advised.
Understanding Air Quality Index
The European Air Quality Index (AQI) used here is calculated from concentrations of five main pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and sulphur dioxide (SO₂). It represents the worst sub-index across all pollutants, providing a single number that reflects overall air quality.
Data for Rawalpindi is sourced from Open-Meteo's air quality API, which ingests data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) — the European Union's Earth observation programme. Readings are updated hourly.
WHO guideline values are the 2021 Air Quality Guidelines published by the World Health Organization for 24-hour mean concentrations, representing the recommended maximum for safe long-term exposure.