Tehran’s air quality was moderate on Aug. 25 with an index of 98 at 11 a.m.
The air quality measuring devices indicated that the status of air quality index was good at five stations, namely the Geophysics Station with 50, Shahid Beheshti University Station with 45, Atisaz Station with 39, Qarchak with 25 and Qods with 21, IMNA reported.
Air quality at Shahriar’s Baghestan Station was unhealthy with an index of 157.
The status of air quality at stations such as Razi with an index of 148, Robat Karim with 142, Qaem with 131, Eslamshahr with 129, Baqershahr with 124, Damavand with 118, Pasdaran with 110 and District 15 with 103 was unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with respiratory and cardiovascular problems belong to the sensitive group.
The status of air quality index was moderate at the following stations: Shokoufeh Park with an index of 96, Iran University of Science and Technology with 95, Shahr-e-Rey’s Farmandari with 92, Pishva with 86, Tehran University with 85, Cheshmeh with 82, Imam Khomeini with 81, Pardis with 80, Pakdasht with 77, Shahriar with 70 and Varamin with 55.
Understanding AQI
A specific color is assigned to each AQI category to make it easier for people to understand quickly whether air pollution is reaching unhealthy levels in their communities.
AQI is divided into six categories, such that each category corresponds to a different level of health concern. The six levels of health concern and what they mean are:
• "Good" AQI (Green) is 0 to 50. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
• "Moderate" AQI (Yellow) is 51 to 100. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms.
• "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" AQI (Orange) is 101 to 150. Although the general public is not likely to be affected at this AQI range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air.
• "Unhealthy" AQI (Red) is 151 to 200. Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.
• "Very Unhealthy" AQI (Purple) is 201 to 300. This would trigger a health alert, signifying that everyone may experience more serious health effects.
• "Hazardous" AQI (Maroon) greater than 300. This would trigger a health warning of emergency conditions. The entire population is most likely to be affected.
Online Air Quality Monitoring Device Developed
A domestic knowledge-based company has developed a device that can help monitor air quality online by collecting related data.
The device uses 16 sensors to measure parameters such as PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers) and SOx (sulfur oxides). Exposure to high levels of these gases can cause serious health issues.
Saman Abargan Water Company also handles the installation, calibration, maintenance, repair and supply of parts of the air monitoring device, the news portal of the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology reported.
Currently, about 100 locations in Iran use air quality measurement devices to monitor the ambient air online. These devices consist of analyzers, service tools, sampling pipes and data loggers.
The company offers two-year warranty for the replacement of parts and free services for all its products, which are not extended for foreign counterparts in Iran.
In addition to its accuracy and sustainability, the main advantages of the domestic device include its compatibility with climatic conditions, cheaper price compared to foreign models, prompt customer support and abundant supply of parts.
The company has also developed a software to provide domestic online monitoring services. By using the software, all the ambient information can be accessed remotely.
The software helps users identify the source of environmental pollution, which are mainly industries and vehicles, and monitor air pollution information constantly. The information obtained by this device is used to control environmental pollution.
