Convert Air Quality Index to Cigarette Health Impact Based on Berkeley Earth Research

Understand the health impact of air pollution by converting AQI exposure to equivalent cigarettes smoked.

AQI to Cigarettes Calculator

Input the Air Quality Index (AQI) where you live and how many hours you've been exposed. The calculator will tell you what the impact to your health is in cigarettes.

How does this work?

Step 1: I converted AQI back to PM 2.5 particle concentration. That's the number of particles in the air that are a certain size. For this operation I used the same equation as the Air Now calculator

Step 2: based on this research, the health impact of a particle concentration of 22μg/m3 per 24 hours is equivalent to about 1 cigarette.

FAQs

Common questions about the AQI to Cigarettes calculator

AQI (Air Quality Index) is a standardized measurement used globally to report air quality. It takes into account various pollutants including PM2.5, PM10, ozone, and others to give a single value representing overall air quality.

The conversion is based on Berkeley Earth research that found breathing air pollution in heavily polluted cities has similar health impacts to smoking cigarettes. The calculation specifically looks at PM2.5 levels and their equivalent cigarette exposure.

The calculation is based on peer-reviewed research from Berkeley Earth, but it's important to note that it's an approximation to help understand air pollution's health impact. Individual health effects can vary based on many factors.

According to the EPA, AQI values of 0-50 are considered 'Good', 51-100 are 'Moderate', and anything above 100 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse. The lower the AQI, the better the air quality.

It's recommended to check your local AQI daily, especially if you live in an area prone to air pollution or if you have respiratory sensitivities. Air quality can vary significantly throughout the day.

During high AQI periods, stay indoors when possible, use air purifiers, wear appropriate masks when outdoors, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Keep windows closed when outdoor air quality is poor.

You can find your local AQI through various weather apps, government environmental websites, or dedicated air quality monitoring services. Many smartphones now include air quality information in their weather widgets.

This calculator provides an evidence-based approximation based on scientific research. While the exact health impact may vary by individual, it offers a useful way to understand air pollution's health effects in relatable terms.

Calculate Your Exposure

Input your local AQI, track your exposure, and understand the health impact!

Acknowledgments

This project was inspired by the AQI2cigarettes project. Special thanks to jasminedevv for the pioneering work.