What is Ambient Air Quality?
(by Yuvika Ramsaran , WKC Group)
The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into five major layers: namely, the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and the exosphere. The troposphere is the atmospheric layer closest to the Earth’s outer surface contains bulk of the atmosphere’s mass, is the layer in which all weather occurs, and contains the air that we breath.
Ambient air is atmospheric air in its natural uncontaminated state, and typically consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and other trace gases including carbon dioxide, helium, methane, argon, and hydrogen.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) identified six criteria pollutants contained within ambient air that are of concern with regards to impacts to human health and the environment. The six criteria pollutants are:
Why is Ambient Air Quality Monitored?
The purpose of ambient air quality monitoring is to quantify and assess the existing concentrations of selected air quality pollutants against applicable local and international standards or limits. This is usually undertaken by regulatory bodies or as part of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process prior to the development of a Project.
How is Ambient Air Quality Measured?
Ambient air quality is measured using the Air Quality Index (AQI) which works like a thermometer that provides readings from 0 to 500 degrees. The only difference between an AQI and a thermometer is that the AQI provides information about the changes in the amount of pollution in the air. An AQI that reads under 50 (low AQI level) means that the air quality is good, and a person can spend long periods of time outdoors and air pollution will pose very little to no risk to their health. As the AQI number increases, the risk to human health also increases.
The AQI is divided into six categories. Each category/colour represents a different level of health concern. Colour coding the level of health concerns ensures efficient comprehension in determining whether the air quality in a particular surrounding is reaching unhealthy levels.
Daily AQI Colour | Levels of Concern | Value of Index | Description of Air Quality |
Green | Good | 0 to 50 | Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. |
Yellow | Moderate | 51 to 100 | Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. |
Orange | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | 101 to 200 | Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. |
Red | Unhealthy | 151 to 200 | Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.28 |
Purple | Very Unhealthy | 201 to 300 | Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. |
Maroon | Hazardous | 301 and higher | Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be effected. |
Below are some useful links to our Air Quality Self-Help guide:
- Atmospheric Emission License (AEL): Air Quality Self-Help Guide (Part 1)
- SAAELIP, SNAEL and NAEIS Reporting in South Africa: Air Quality Self-Help Guide (Part 2)
- BA, EIA, AEL and AQIA in the South African Context: Air Quality Self-Help Guide (Part 3)
- AQA Section 30 Atmospheric Impact Report: Air Quality Self-Help Guide (Part 4)
- Selected environmental regulations in South Africa
If you require the collection of ambient air quality data for your project, please do not hesitate to contact us.
