Start with the right data
From a reading to a decision
- 01CheckLocal reading + official advisory
- 02AdjustTime, duration or intensity, as advised
- 03RecheckBefore leaving: conditions can change
Check the closest relevant official monitor or advisory, its time and the pollutant behind the category. Confirm whether the display is a current observation, an index or a forecast. A stale reading or a location far from your route is a weaker basis for changing plans.
Change the activity before chasing a universal cutoff
If local advice signals poorer conditions, practical options can include shortening strenuous outdoor time, moving it to a different time, lowering intensity or choosing an indoor alternative. The appropriate decision depends on the local guidance and personal circumstances; there is no single global number that guarantees safety for everyone.
Keep the limits clear
Personal actions can reduce exposure in a particular moment, but they do not solve the sources of pollution. WHO points to action in transport, energy, industry, waste management and urban planning. Avoid products or claims that promise complete protection, and use medical advice for symptoms or individual health concerns.
Sources
Educational information; personal health questions belong with your clinician.
Explore next
- PM2.5: what it means and how to use the reading
- PM10: what it is and how it differs from PM2.5
- Air quality index: what AQI means
- Air pollution and health
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