luftkvalitetsindex

Luftkvalitetsindex is a term used to describe the standardized metric for communicating outdoor air quality to the public in Danish-speaking contexts. It represents a single value that aggregates information on multiple air pollutants to convey overall health risk in a simple, interpretable form. The index is typically presented together with a color code and a brief advisory message.

Calculation and pollutants: The exact method varies by country, but most implementations rely on concentrations of several common pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). For each pollutant, an individual sub-index is computed from observed concentrations according to national thresholds. The overall luftkvalitetsindex is usually determined by the highest sub-index among pollutants, ensuring that the index reflects the worst-affected pollutant at a given time.

Usage and purpose: The index is used by government agencies, media, and digital platforms to convey outdoor air quality quickly and to guide public behavior. It helps people decide whether to limit outdoor activity, adjust outdoor exercise, or take protective measures, especially for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions. Data are collected from national or regional air-monitoring networks and disseminated via websites, apps, and public alerts.

Regional variations and limitations: While the concept is widely adopted, scales, thresholds, and color schemes differ between countries and regions. The luftkvalitetsindex reflects outdoor ambient air and does not measure indoor air quality or individual exposure, so it should be interpreted alongside local health advisories and other air quality information.