Leatherhead Air Quality (AQI)

Air Quality Index (AQI)

An air quality index (AQI) is a number used to communicate to the public how polluted the air currently is. As the AQI increases, an increasingly large percentage of the population is likely to experience increasingly severe adverse health effects.

PM2.5

PM2.5 describes fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller. Fine particles are produced from all types of combustion, including motor vehicles, power plants, residential wood burning, agricultural burning, and some industrial processes.

PM10

PM10 are particles 2.5 to 10 micrometers in diameter. Sources include crushing or grinding operations and dust stirred up by vehicles on roads.

Health Effects

People with heart or lung diseases, older adults and children are most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure. However, even if you are healthy, you may feel temporary symptoms if you are exposed to high levels of particle pollution. Numerous scientific studies connect particle pollution exposure to a variety of health issues, including, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, reduced lung function, irregular heartbeat, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature death in people with heart or lung disease