Hack of the day: Check air quality before outdoor plans

'The Times of India' brings you 'Hack of the Day' — a new weekday-series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach — from government websites to everyday apps. In simple words it is: Simple fixes for smarter living.’Planning a morning walk, cycling session or outdoor workout? A quick check of air quality could help you avoid spending time outside when pollution levels are high. Google offers air quality information directly through Google Maps and Search, making it easy to see current Air Quality Index (AQI) levels before stepping out. The feature can be especially useful for people with asthma, allergies or other respiratory conditions, as well as anyone looking to reduce exposure to polluted air during daily commutes or exercise. Here's a simple trick that can help you choose a cleaner time or location for your outdoor plans.Countries or regions define air quality indexes and categorize the raw data into a descriptive rating scale. These indexes make it easier to identify the level of pollution and if there’s any associated risk.Different countries and regions use different scales to report air quality based on local pollution and health considerations. There are dozens of local indexes used across the globe. For example, some states in Australia use a number-based system while others use a category-based system. Canada, US, and Japan define separate air quality indexes, as does the European Environment Agency.As the air pollution worsens, public health risks increase. It especially affects children, the older adult population, and other at-risk populations. During times of poor air quality, governmental agencies generally provide health recommendations related to indoor and outdoor activities.Air Quality Index (AQI) is the way different governments choose to communicate air quality to the public. It's a means to convert the level of different pollutants into one index in a digestible manner.Common differences between indexes include:Number and type of pollutants: Different AQIs are based on different individual pollutants.Some common pollutants that are tracked include:Different countries and regions measure different pollutants for the index definition. For example:Averaging times: Many official sources provide reporting based on averaged readings for defined time frames. These time frames could range from 1–24 hours.Pollutant concentration thresholds: Different AQIs apply their own interpretations of danger to different pollutant concentration levels.Dominant pollutants: AQIs define the dominant pollutant based on risk of exposure, i.e., which pollutant is harming people’s health the most right now. As AQIs assign different interpretations of danger to individual pollutants, you can find differences in terms of the dominant pollutant.Although complex, Air quality is influenced by several factors:Air quality levels are calculated based on air quality stations measurements. We provide you with a map of all stations in your area to get a more comprehensive picture of the air quality information. However, the air quality between the stations may vary, and the AQI level at the closest station to you doesn't necessarily reflect the AQI level at your specific location. To avoid confusion, we show a map-based view to display the AQI level at given stations around you.Due to space constraints, several Google products do present a single-station reading. In that case, the AQI value is selected according to the measurement in the station closest to your location.To show the air quality at your location, Google applies its air quality model. If you're viewing air quality for a city, like “weather in New Delhi,” the resulting air quality reading can be for a location far away from you, like in the city center. This won't accurately reflect the situation around you, even if you're in the same city.To get AQI for your location: