From AQI to IAQ: Understanding How the Air Quality Index Relates to Healthier Indoor Spaces 

When we talk about air quality, we often refer to a number called the Air Quality Index (AQI). This index provides a clear way to understand the quality of the air we breathe and how it may impact our health, even for those without an environmental science background. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a national index for air quality since 1976 to provide an easy-to-understand, consistent report across all states. The AQI as we know it today was introduced in 1999 and has been updated several times to reflect the latest health-based air quality standards. 

How Does the AQI Work? 

The AQI uses a scale from 0 to 500 to report on air quality, where higher numbers indicate higher pollution levels and greater health risks. The index covers five major pollutants that are regulated under the Clean Air Act: ozone, particle pollution (also called particulate matter), carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. The AQI for each pollutant is based on the health-based national ambient air quality standards and the scientific information that supports them. 

The AQI is divided into six color-coded categories for quick reference:  

• Green (0-50): Good – Air quality is excellent with no health risks.
• Yellow (51-100): Moderate – Air quality is generally safe, but some sensitive individuals may experience minor effects.
• Orange (101-150): Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – Sensitive groups, such as children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions, may start to feel health effects.
• Red (151-200): Unhealthy – Health impacts can affect everyone, especially those in vulnerable groups.
• Purple (201-300): Very Unhealthy – Significant health risks for all individuals.
• Maroon (301-500): Hazardous – This represents a health emergency where everyone is likely to experience serious effects. 

Why AQI Matters for Your Health 

Understanding the AQI is essential for making smart choices about outdoor activities, especially when pollution levels rise. For instance, on a “moderate” day (yellow), someone with asthma might reduce strenuous outdoor activities. On “unhealthy” days (red or higher), everyone should minimize their time outdoors. If your local AQI frequently reaches unhealthy levels, it’s a good idea to consider how outdoor air could be affecting your indoor air and take steps to address it. 

The Direct Connection Between Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality 

Outdoor air pollution doesn’t stop at your front door—poor outdoor air quality often affects indoor air quality (IAQ). Harmful pollutants like particulate matter can infiltrate indoor spaces through ventilation systems, windows, and doors, especially when AQI levels are high. That’s why understanding the AQI isn’t just about deciding whether to go outside; it also helps you know when to take action to improve the air indoors. But even when the AQI shows good outdoor air quality, it’s essential to continuously monitor indoor pollutants. This is where IAQ standards like RESET come into play. 

Indoor Standards That Relate to the AQI: The RESET Air Standard 

The RESET Air standard is a comprehensive framework for continuous indoor air quality monitoring. Like the AQI, RESET sets benchmarks for pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5), but also considers carbon dioxide (CO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ensuring that indoor air stays healthy, even when outdoor conditions worsen. By providing real-time data on indoor air quality, RESET empowers building managers and occupants to track pollutants, much like the AQI helps with understanding outdoor air. This alignment ensures that indoor environments are not only healthier but can also meet strict sustainability and health standards, offering an extra layer of protection. 

Applying AQI and IAQ Insights: Actions to Optimize Your Indoor Air 

• Monitor with Sensors: Just like the AQI helps monitor outdoor air, IAQ sensors are essential for tracking indoor pollutants. These sensors can detect harmful particles such as PM2.5, CO2, and VOCs in real time, helping you stay aware of indoor air quality. For accurate monitoring, consider using air quality monitoring devices based on standards like RESET, such as Fellowes Array Signal.
  
  
• Visualize IAQ: Easily understand the IAQ in your spaces through dashboard visualization. With Viewpoint, Fellowes’ cloud-based dashboard, you can quickly understand the current IAQ of a space based on RESET Air Index and monitor air quality trends over time. The Viewpoint Plus platform offers real-time data that can be displayed on a community dashboard, making air quality information accessible to building occupants and management teams alike.
  
  
• Localized Displays: For immediate awareness, air purification units or standalone displays can show real-time IAQ data on-site. Localized displays, like Fellowes Array Lookout, ensure that everyone is informed of the air quality conditions in their immediate space.
  
  
• Utilize Professional Air Quality Assessments: If you’re concerned about outdoor AQI levels affecting your indoor spaces or want to optimize your indoor air quality, consulting with an air quality expert is an excellent step. These professionals can evaluate your space, recommend appropriate monitoring devices, and suggest advanced filtration or ventilation solutions tailored to your needs. This proactive approach not only ensures a healthier environment but can also contribute to certifications for green building or wellness standards. 

Take Action Today: Set Up an Air Quality Assessment 

Now that you have a better understanding of both AQI and IAQ, it’s time to take control of your indoor air quality. Scheduling an air quality assessment with a professional can help you identify and address potential issues, ensuring a safer, healthier environment for everyone in your space.  

Fellowes offers a Complimentary indoor air quality assessment utilizing our Signal IAQ monitoring device in key areas you’d like to review. 

Each Signal will track the area’s overall air quality over a designated period including the following metrics:

• PM1.0/PM2.5/PM10
• TVOCs
• CO2
• Relative Humidity
• Temperature
• Air Pressure 

Once the assessment is complete, Fellowes provides you with IAQ data along with recommendations for possible remediation improvements. Sign up today