Is your air safe? Google Maps rolls out live AQI updates in India
By : DC Web Desk
Update: 2024-11-12 10:52 GMT
Google has introduced a new feature that will allow users to check real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) in its Maps app.
Google Maps now provides hyperlocal air quality indexes (AQI) across India. Users in India can access this information directly within the app. The Air Quality layer is currently available in 40+ countries around the world on Google Maps, including the U.S., Australia, Israel, Chile, Singapore, and more.
The AQI in Google Maps is updated every hour and for the users to understand it easily, the data is presented in an easier format, with categories and colour-code, with green meaning that you are in a safe area whereas dark red means heavily polluted area.
The AQI levels is measured from 0 to 500:
1. 0-50: Good air quality
2. 51-100: Satisfactory air quality
3. 101-200: Moderately polluted
4. 201-300: Poor air quality
5. 301-400: Very poor air quality
6. 401-500: Severe air quality
2. 51-100: Satisfactory air quality
3. 101-200: Moderately polluted
4. 201-300: Poor air quality
5. 301-400: Very poor air quality
6. 401-500: Severe air quality
The categories come with health advisories like users in the Severe air quality area are advised to avoid outdoor activities and vulnerable groups are suggested to stay indoors. People living in an area with poor or very poor AQI, they are recommended to use an air purifier.
If a user wants to know the AQI levels of their place, they have to open Google Maps then tap on the layers icon and select air quality. This feature will help you to know the AQI levels of any place, so before you visit that place, you will get to know whether the area is safe.