Characterizing of Air Pollution in Tehran: Comparison of Two Air Quality Indices

Abstract

Multi-pollutant air pollution dramatically occurs in wide range of regions across Tehran. Air quality index (AQI) is applied worldwide to inform the public about levels of air pollution and related to health risks. Assessing air pollution, and transferring information about its possible adverse health effects, may encourage population and policy makers to reduce activities that increase pollution levels. In this study the Air quality index (AQI), Aggregate Air quality index (AAQI), and a relative index of variability (VR) were obtained for the data in order to better investigate air pollution conditions for the whole areas of a city of Tehran, aim at warning the people of short-term health impact. The proposed index of variability does add precious information to the aggregate AQI, as it can demonstrate whether the value assumed by the AQI is influenced by one or more pollutants. The two indices are together used on simulated data and consider different possible scenarios. In addition, Applications to real air pollution data are reported. Before applying the two indices, the effects of different standardizations on data are evaluated from a theoretical point of view.

From environmental knowledge to encouraging pro-environmental behavior for air pollution control in Isfahan: a highly air-polluted city in central Iran

“…To observe ethical points, the questionnaires were completed anonymously and people were quite willing to participate in the survey. [32,33]. AQI was used to evaluate the accuracy of information obtained from the questionnaire as well as determine the association of the people's understanding about air pollution as AQI values are changing.…”

Effect of lockdown due to SARS COVID-19 on aerosol optical depth (AOD) over urban and mining regions in India

“…However, such preemptive measures to control the COVID-19 transmission have dramatically improved the air quality owing to the reduction of anthropogenic-based emissions. The deterioration of air quality across the globe due to various kind of anthropogenic interventions is the most serious issue in 21st century ( Mehdipour and Memarianfard, 2017 ; Motesaddi et al, 2017 ). In such a time, COVID-19 pandemic-imposed lockdown events have compelled to stop the anti-environmental deeds.…”

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown upon the air quality and surface urban heat island intensity over the United Arab Emirates

“…Nevertheless, due to the reduction of anthropogenic-based pollutants, such precautionary strategies to prevent COVID-19 transmission have significantly enhanced air quality. The most critical challenge in the 21st century is the degradation of air quality worldwide due to the different sorts of anthropogenic interventions ( Mehdipour and Memarianfard, 2017 ; Motesaddi et al, 2017 ). At such a moment, lockdown episodes enforced for the COVID-19 pandemic mitigation resulted in anti-environmental activities to cease as a byproduct.…”