AQI Health Impact Calculator

Enter your local AQI or PM2.5 reading to see cigarette-equivalent exposure, extra particle dose, and personalized health risk based on your profile.

Quick Start:
Air Quality Inputs
Your Exposure Profile
Moderate
AQI Level
100
35.0 µg/m³ PM2.5
Cigarettes / Day
1.59
Extra PM Dose
50 µg
Days Affected / Yr
1.0
Profile Risk Mult.
1.0×
Sensitive individuals should consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion.
Moderate — Low–Moderate Risk

At AQI 100 (35.0 µg/m³ PM2.5), conditions are classified as Moderate.

0 Good 100 Mod. 150 USG 200 Unhlthy 300 V.Unhlthy 500 Haz.
Risk Factor Your Value Multiplier
Age Group Adult 1.0×
Pre-existing Condition None 1.0×
Combined Profile Multiplier 1.0×
Projected days of life affected / year 1.0 days/yr vs 1.0 (baseline)

Recommended actions by AQI level. Your current level is highlighted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dangerous AQI level?

AQI above 100 is considered Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Above 150 it's Unhealthy for everyone, above 200 Very Unhealthy, and above 300 Hazardous — a health emergency where everyone should remain indoors.

How does PM2.5 affect your health?

PM2.5 particles (2.5 micrometers or smaller) penetrate deep into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream. Long-term exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, and reduced life expectancy. Short-term high-concentration exposure causes throat irritation, coughing, and breathing difficulty.

Should I exercise outside on high AQI days?

At AQI 101–150, sensitive groups (asthma, COPD, heart disease, children, seniors) should avoid prolonged outdoor exercise. At AQI above 150, everyone should limit strenuous outdoor activity and wear an N95/KN95 mask if going outside is unavoidable. Exercise increases ventilation rate by 2–4×, significantly raising your particle intake.

How does air quality affect asthma sufferers?

People with asthma are roughly 1.4× more susceptible to PM2.5 effects than the average adult. Even Moderate AQI (51–100) can trigger symptoms. Always carry a rescue inhaler on days above AQI 50, and stay indoors with HEPA air purifiers when AQI exceeds 100.

What does the cigarette equivalent mean?

Research from Berkeley Lab estimates that breathing air at approximately 22 µg/m³ PM2.5 concentration for 24 hours is equivalent in particulate exposure to smoking one cigarette. This is an approximate comparison for health communication — not a precise toxicological equivalence — but it provides an intuitive sense of scale for a familiar risk.