FAQ-Air-Air Quality Index

Alberta Environment produces a measure of air quality called Alberta's Air Quality Index or AQI. The AQI is a rating that provides people with a meaningful measure of outdoor air quality. From the AQI results, we can effectively rate air quality as Good, Fair, Poor or Very Poor.

For more information visit Alberta Environment's Air Quality Index, or the Clean Air Strategic Alliance websites.

How is the Alberta Air Quality Index (AQI) calculated?

Alberta's AQI is calculated by converting hourly readings of five major air pollutants to a single value and matching verbal description. For example, a rating of 0-25 indicates Good air quality, 26-50 is Fair, 51-100 is Poor, and greater than 100 is Very Poor air quality.

What substances make up the Alberta Air Quality Index (AQI)?

The substances used to calculate the AQI are carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulphur dioxide. The index is calculated at air monitoring stations located in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat, Fort Saskatchewan and Fort McMurray. The highest AQI of the five substances for a monitoring station is the AQI value for that hour.

Where can we find information on air quality reporting?

For information on current air quality measurements around the province, call the Alberta Environment Air Quality Index Reporting System at 1-877-247-7333 (or 780-427-7273) or visit Alberta Environment’s Current Air Quality site.

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