What does air quality index mean Meaning and Definition
What does air quality index mean
Pronunciation
/ˌeər ˈkwɒlɪti/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A measure of the levels of pollutants in the air, such as particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and other air pollutants, expressed on a scale from 0 to 500.
Examples
- The air quality index in the city was 200, indicating moderate air pollution.
- The government implemented measures to reduce air pollution and improve the air quality index.
Synonyms
- Air pollution index
- Air quality rating
Antonyms
- Clean air index
- Air quality standard
Etymology
The term “air quality index” originated in the 1970s as a way to measure and communicate the levels of air pollution to the public.
Usage Notes
The air quality index is typically reported on a scale from 0 to 500, with higher numbers indicating poorer air quality.
Cultural References
The air quality index has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the TV show “The Simpsons” and in the movie “The Day After Tomorrow”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Air quality index” is often used in idiomatic expressions such as “the air quality index is high today” or “the air quality index is low today”.
Related Words or Phrases
Related words or phrases include “air pollution”, “air quality standard”, and “clean air index”.
Collocations
Common collocations with “air quality index” include “air quality monitoring”, “air quality management”, and “air quality policy”.
Frequency of Use
The term “air quality index” is commonly used in scientific and technical contexts, but is also used in everyday language to communicate air quality information.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “air quality index” include “air quality indic” and “air quality indez”.