What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a color-coded index developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted the ambient (outdoor) air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you or other individuals. The AQI focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. The EPA calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. For each of these pollutants, the EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect public health. Ground-level ozone and particulate matter are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in this country.
Understanding the AQI
The AQI is divided into 6 levels, with each level having a color assoricated with it. Each level corresponds to a different suggestion and/or health concern in order to limit potential health impacts based on the local outdoor air quality. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution. The higher the air pollution, the greater the health concern.
Good
| 0-50
| No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.
| Green
|
Moderate
| 51-100
| Unusually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath, as these are signs to take it easier.
| Yellow
|
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
| 101-150
| Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung diseases and/or conditions (such as asthma) older adults, and youth (babies, children, and teenagers).
Sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. If being active outside, take more breaks and do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations, or unusual fatigue.
| Orange
|
Unhealthy
| 151-200
| Sensitive groups: avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Move activities indoors, or reschedule to a time when the air quality is better.
Everyone else: reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. If being active outside, take more breaks and do less intense activities.
| Red
|
Very Unhealthy
| 201-300
| Everyone, including sensitive groups: avoid all physical activity and/or heavy exertion outdoors. Move activities indoors, or reschedule to a time when air quality is better.
| Purple
|
Hazardous
| 301+ and higher.
| Sensitive groups: Remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Follow tips for keeping particulae matter levels low indoors.
Everyone: Avoid all physical activity outdoors.
| Maroon
|
Broward County Air Quality Index (AQI) Summaries
2025 AQI Summary
January
| 24
| 7
| 0
| 0
|
February
| 25
| 3
| 0
| 0
|
March
| 6
| 25
| 0
| 0
|
April
| 14
| 16
| 0
| 0
|
May
| 28
| 3
| 0
| 0
|
June
| 18
| 12
| 0
| 0
|
July
| 16
| 15
| 0
| 0
|
August
| 25
| 6
| 0
| 0
|
September
| 30
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
October
| 31
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
November
| 26
| 4
| 0
| 0
|
December
|
| | |
|
TOTALS
| 243
| 91
| 0
| 0
|
2024 AQI Summary
January
| 28
| 2
| 0
| 1
|
February
| 23
| 6
| 0
| 0
|
March
| 26
| 5
| 0
| 0
|
April
| 9
| 21
| 0
| 0
|
May
| 12
| 19
| 0
| 0
|
June
| 15
| 15
| 0
| 0
|
July
| 6
| 25
| 0
| 0
|
August
| 15
| 16
| 0
| 0
|
September
| 28
| 2
| 0
| 0
|
October
| 28
| 3
| 0
| 0
|
November
| 24
| 6
| 0
| 0
|
December
| 26
| 5
| 0
| 0
|
TOTALS
| 240
| 125
| 0
| 1
|
2023 AQI Summary
January
| 14
| 16
| 1
| 0
|
February
| 12
| 16
| 0
| 0
|
March
| 11
| 20
| 0
| 0
|
April
| 21
| 9
| 0
| 0
|
May
| 16
| 15
| 0
| 0
|
June
| 29
| 1
| 0
| 0
|
July
| 14
| 17
| 0
| 0
|
August
| 16
| 15
| 0
| 0
|
September
| 27
| 3
| 0
| 0
|
October
| 26
| 4
| 1
| 0
|
November
| 30
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
December
| 28
| 2
| 1
| 0
|
TOTALS
| 244
| 118
| 3
| 0
|
2022 AQI Summary
January
| 25
| 6
| 0
| 0
|
February
| 25
| 3
| 0
| 0
|
March
| 20
| 11
| 0
| 0
|
April
| 22
| 8
| 0
| 0
|
May
| 24
| 7
| 0
| 0
|
June
| 25
| 5
| 0
| 0
|
July
| 25
| 6
| 0
| 0
|
August
| 26
| 5
| 0
| 0
|
September
| 28
| 2
| 0
| 0
|
October
| 29
| 2
| 0
| 0
|
November
| 29
| 1
| 0
| 0
|
December
| 22
| 9
| 0
| 0
|
TOTALS
| 300
| 65
| 0
| 0
|
2021 AQI Summary
January
| 18
| 13
| 0
| 0
|
February
| 17
| 11
| 0
| 0
|
March
| 23
| 8
| 0
| 0
|
April
| 17
| 13
| 0 | 0 |
May
| 25
| 5
| 1
| 0
|
June
| 24
| 6
| 0
| 0
|
July
| 23
| 8
| 0
| 0
|
August
| 26
| 5
| 0
| 0
|
September
| 21 | 9 | 0
| 0
|
October
| 29
| 2
| 0
| 0
|
November
| 29
| 1
| 0
| 0
|
December
| 28
| 3
| 0
| 0
|
TOTALS
| 280
| 84
| 1
| 0
|
Access our Air Quality Index Summary Archive: 2007-2020.
About the Data - The air quality data used in the AirNow maps and to generate forecasts are collected using either federal reference or equivalent monitoring methods. Since the information needed to make maps must be as "real-time" as possible, the data are displayed as soon as practical after the end of each hour. Although some preliminary data quality assessments may be performed, the data as such are not fully verified and validated through the quality assurance procedures that monitoring organizations use to officially submit and certify data to the EPA AQS (Air Quality System). Therefore, the data is used on the AirNow website only for the purpose of reporting the AQI. Information on the AirNow website is not used to formulate or support regulation, guidance, or any other Agency decision or position.
Source: AirNow
