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Breathing isn’t optional, we all do it. In fact, you’re most likely breathing right now as you’re reading this article.
What is the quality of the air you’re breathing? Are you breathing air that is clean?
Clean air matters for your health and well-being, especially for those who may have lung issues such as asthma. According to the U.S. National Weather Service, “Poor air quality is responsible for an estimated more than 100,000 premature deaths in the United States each year.” Smog, wildfire ash, volcanic ash, and other pollutants all may affect the quality of the air you breathe.
To help you learn about the quality of the air you’re breathing, Google Maps includes air quality information. Now you can use Google Maps to see whether it’s safe for you to go outside or whether you should stay indoors until the air clears.
About Google Maps Air Quality Index
If you’re planning a hike or strenuous outdoor exercise, you may want to check the air quality before you venture outside. Earlier this month, Google explained that it added Air Quality Index information to Google Maps, “to help you make more informed decisions about whether it’s safe to go on a hike or other outdoor adventures.”
Google uses “trusted data from government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. We are also showing air quality information from PurpleAir, a low-cost sensor network which gives a more hyperlocal view of conditions.”
How to Use Google Maps Air Quality Index
Planning a trip? You can use Google Maps to search the air quality of areas far from you to see whether the air quality index is good. Search for your intended destination and open the Air Quality layer to see what the current air quality is in that area.Using Google Maps to view the air quality in your area is very easy.
Open the Google Maps app and tap the layers icon (that icon looks like three stacked squares). A new menu will appear. Tap the Air Quality icon.
Colored dots will appear next to a number showing the air quality in the area. A green dot and lower numbers indicate better air quality.
You’ll also see the U.S. Air Quality Index color-coded line showing the intensity of the air pollutants according to the colors. 
Google Maps also shows the source of the Air Quality Index information. You can tap on the About air quality info button to read a detailed explanation of the factors that go into calculating the air quality index.
Availability
Air Quality Index information is available in the Google Maps app for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android.
The Google announcement said that the air quality information was available in the U.S. The announcement did not mention if or when air quality would be added to Google Maps outside the U.S.
Apple Maps
If you’re a user of Apple Maps, you can see air quality on its maps around the world. Open the Maps app and search for a location. You can see the Air Quality Index (AQI) for that location in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Your Thoughts
Do you ever check the air quality before heading outside? Did you know you could check air quality using Google Maps and Apple Maps? Would knowing the air quality was poor affect your plans to exercise outside?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
