How is AQI calculated?
1.
The Sub-indices for individual pollutants at a monitoring location are
calculated using its
24-hourly average concentration value (8-hourly in case of CO and O
3
)
and health
breakpoint concentration range. The worst sub-index is the AQI for that location.
2.
All the eight pollutants may not be monitored at all the locations. Overall AQI is
calculated only if data are available for minimum three pollutants out of which one should
necessarily be either PM
2.5
or PM
10
. Else, data are considered insufficient
for calculating
AQI. Similarly, a minimum of 16 hours’ data is considered necessary
for calculating sub-
index.
3.
The sub-indices for monitored pollutants are calculated and disseminated,
even if data are
inadequate for determining AQI. The Individual pollutant-wise sub-index will provide air
quality status for that pollutant.
4.
The web-based system is designed to provide AQI on real time basis.
It is an automated
system that captures data from continuous monitoring stations without human
intervention, and displays AQI based on running average values (e.g. AQI at 6am on a
day will incorporate data from 6am on previous day to the current day).
5.
For
manual monitoring stations, an AQI calculator is developed wherein data can be fed
manually to get AQI value.