U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Pakistan NowCast Air Quality Index
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates’ air quality monitors measure airborne fine particulate matter (commonly referred to as PM 2.5 because the particulates are less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter) around their premises. Data from a single monitoring station cannot be applied to an entire city. Therefore, air quality data collected at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates may differ from readings shown by other monitors in the same cities.
The air quality data collected by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan is translated into actionable information by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) NowCast algorithm. This algorithm converts raw PM 2.5 readings into an air quality index (AQI) value that can help inform health-related decisions. The index is calculated based on data over a 3- to 12-hour period depending on the variability of particulate concentration.
PM 2.5 is a standard recognized by the EPA. For more information on PM2.5 and air quality in general, please visit the EPA’s website. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan do not track other contaminants that contribute to air pollution (e.g., coarse dust particles [PM10], ozone [O3], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], sulfur dioxide [SO2], and carbon monoxide [CO]).
If a reading of “-999” appears for any of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate readings, please disregard it, as this indicates the data is currently unavailable for the site in question.
Islamabad
The U.S. Embassy’s air quality monitor covers the area around the U.S. Embassy in the Diplomatic Enclave in Islamabad. The data displayed is the U.S. EPA Air Quality Index.
Karachi
The U.S. Consulate General’s air quality monitor covers the area around U.S. Consulate in Intelligence Colony, Karachi. The data displayed is the U.S. EPA Air Quality Index.
Lahore
The U.S. Consulate General’s air quality monitor covers the area around the U.S. Consulate in Shimla Hill, Lahore. The data displayed is the U.S. EPA Air Quality Index.
Peshawar
The U.S. Consulate General’s air quality monitor covers the area around the U.S. Consulate in Aman Chowk, Peshawar. The data displayed is the U.S. EPA Air Quality Index.
| Air Quality Index Levels of Health Concern | Numerical Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Good | 0 to 50 | Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk |
| Moderate | 51 to 100 | Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | 101 to 150 | Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. |
| Unhealthy | 151 to 200 | Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. |
| Very Unhealthy | 201 to 300 | Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. |
| Hazardous | 301 to 500 | Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects. |
