Taking Action on Air Quality
Understanding the Issue
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Exposure to poor air quality is one of the most pressing threats to human health globally. Air pollution can lead to respiratory and heart conditions—underlying health issues that have recently resulted in a significant increase in the risk of death from COVID-19. To make matters worse, these challenges disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color, resulting in environmental injustice.
Improving access to clean air depends on adopting measures that both reduce air pollution and help individuals to avoid polluted air. In order to achieve these objectives, it will be critical to improve our ability to predict local air quality, especially in communities at highest risk, and to take action to reduce emissions and avoid exposure.
Maps, like those on this site, reveal a need for action and contributions to local air quality data in vulnerable communities with high rates of air pollution.
This map displays the variation in air quality within the Pittsburgh metro area, the location of neighborhoods with a high proportion of vulnerable community members, and the location of air quality sensors. Click here to locate similar maps for your city or community.
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What is Air Pollution?
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While there are natural causes of air pollution through events like wildfires and dust accumulation, the leading cause of air pollution is driven by human activity such as fossil fuel emissions, landfills, and building infrastructure. As these drivers of pollution grow, people across the globe are taking notice, becoming more engaged, and seeking to take action to reduce exposure to unhealthy air. That's where you come in.
One pollutant that is commonly referenced when discussing air quality is particulate matter with diameters 2.5 micrometers and smaller (PM 2.5). PM 2.5 particles are so small that they can be inhaled unknowingly and can cause serious health problems.
The Air Quality Index
AQI values at or below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is unhealthy.
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0-50 |
Good |
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. |
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51-100 |
Moderate |
Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. |
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101-150 |
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. |
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151-200 |
Unhealthy |
Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. |
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201-300 |
Very Unhealthy |
Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects. |
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301+ |
Hazardous |
Health Warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. |
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Environmental Equity, Air Quality, and You
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Air pollution is ranked as one of the most serious environmental threats to human health and well-being. Yet low-income communities and communities of color are more often located near pollution sources, resulting in higher levels of exposure to unhealthy air. At the same time, climate change is predicted to have disproportionate impacts on low-income, marginalized communities. By participating in this program, you will have the opportunity to contribute to air quality research while developing strategies to reduce exposure to air pollution, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Below is a key term and its definition:
- Environmental Equity is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
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Take Action
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Follow these three core steps:
- Step 1: Collect local air quality data using the Earth Challenge 2020 (EC2020) air quality app, including in regions with the greatest need for improved air quality data;
- Step 2: Learn about air quality in cities around the world by exploring our interactive maps, and improve your understanding of how variations in air quality contribute to health disparities;
- Step 3: Identify solutions that help individuals and communities reduce exposure to polluted air and help avoid exacerbating air pollution. Use what you’ve learned to make a pledge.
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Getting Started (Video)
- Watch the video below
- Download the Earth Challenge 2020 app
- Enter "ALCOABLUE” or ALCOAWHITE” in the Organization Code section of your profile so that your submissions can be attributed to Alcoa.
- We invite you to submit as many air quality pictures as you can from April 22 to May 10 and encourage the whole family to participate!
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Explore the Data
Your image and contribution to the Earth Challenge App will show up on this after about 5 minutes from submitting. Check out the submission over the week and from your fellow co-workers.
Click here to view the dashboard full size.
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Use the air quality maps below to explore how air quality varies in different communities. Choose the location that is closes to you or that you are most interested in exploring
Air Quality Maps
Cities Listed in Alphabetical Order
U.S. Cities
A-E
K-N
W-Z
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You've measured the air quality in your neighborhood and explored this challenge in cities around the world. Now you can take action and keep the momentum going! Review the inspiration matrix below to discover what other people have done to address air quality.
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Inspiration Matrix
| LOCAL IMPACT | GLOBAL IMPACT | |
| Reduce Exposure to Air Pollution for Vulnerable Populations |
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| Reduce Pollution Emissions |
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Success Stories
Installing Green Walls and Changing to Greener Cleaning Products
Several primary schools obtained funds from the City of London to build green spaces and green walls along the playground's fence to help reduce toxic pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide. Also, schools are committed to using environmentally friendly cleaning supplies free of harmful chemicals to improve air quality in the school.
Walking School Bus
A Walking School Bus is a group of children walking to or from the school supervised by adults. This initiative offers many benefits: it boosts exercise and fosters a sense of community, but it also reduces the student’s daily commute's carbon footprint. The walking school bus can be as informal as few families taking turns to walk their children to school to an organized route with meeting points.
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