As smoke from wildfires from Canada continued to waft across the United States, causing unhealthy air quality, many locations across the country were on air quality warnings Thursday.
It’s important to heed these warnings to stay safe, but monitoring air quality can also help you decide when it’s safe to go outside. (Air quality can change throughout the day depending on the time of day and the amount of smoke in an area.)
You can use these apps to monitor air quality.
AirNow Mobile App
The AirNow Mobile Appavailable on iPhones and Android phones, was created by the US Environmental Protection Agency, which monitors air quality across the country.
The app allows users to enter their zip code or city to get the most up-to-date air quality information. The app also has a fire and smoke map that allows users to see where the thickest layers of smoke have formed.
IQAir AirVisual | air quality app
The IQAir AirVisual | air quality appwhich is also available for iPhone or Android users, provides the latest air quality readings as well as helpful contextual information on how bad the air quality is in a specific region.
IQAir has a real-time ranking showing which cities have the worst air pollution. Temporarily this week, New York City has had some of the worst air quality readings in the world.
IQAir’s app also shares health recommendations. For example, if air quality reaches unhealthy levels, IQAir recommends wearing a mask outdoors, using an air purifier at home, closing windows and not exercising outdoors.
Plume Labs
For those looking for detailed information, the Plume Labs app shares comprehensive pollution hotspot maps. The app also has an hourly air quality forecast as the values change frequently throughout the day.
Available for iPhones and Android phones, the app can also send alerts when air quality deteriorates.
AirCare
The AirCare The app shares air quality information along with helpful guides. When the air quality is healthy, the app says: “You can breathe freely.”
The app includes a tracker that monitors allergens such as tree, grass, and ragweed pollen. The app also tracks the UV Index and provides recommendations such as “Avoid the midday sun, seek shade, and use sunscreen” when the sun’s UV levels are high.
Other helpful places for air quality information
Several weather apps, such as those from Apple, The Weather Channel, and AccuWeather, provide air quality readings in addition to weather forecasts.
The National Weather Service Also provides online air quality details and air quality safety resources.
