Current Air Quality Index & Pollutant Levels
North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Daily air quality forecast. PM2.5, PM10, O₃, NO₂, SO₂, CO.
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18
Air quality is excellent. Enjoy outdoor activities freely.
μg/m³
Hourly forecast
AQI · PM2.5 μg/m³
20:00183
21:00183
22:00182
23:00172
00:00182
01:00172
02:00172
03:00182
04:00172
05:00172
06:00183
07:00183
08:00193
09:00213
10:00213
11:00225
12:00235
13:00236
14:00235
15:00245
16:00225
17:00215
18:00205
19:00166
PM2.5
2.6μg/m³
17% of WHO limitGood
PM10
2.9μg/m³
7% of WHO limitGood
Ozone (O₃)
46.9μg/m³
47% of WHO limitAcceptable
NO₂
11.2μg/m³
45% of WHO limitAcceptable
SO₂
3.6μg/m³
9% of WHO limitGood
CO
156.7μg/m³
4% of WHO limitGood
Daily air quality forecast
Today18Good18–18
Fri19Good15–24
Sat27Fair14–36
Sun22Fair19–24
Mon22Fair16–31
European AQI Scale
0–20
Good
Air pollution poses little or no risk.
21–40
Fair
Acceptable for most; very sensitive people may notice symptoms.
41–60
Moderate
Children, elderly and people with conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
61–80
Poor
Everyone may start to feel effects; sensitive groups risk more serious effects.
81–100
Very Poor
Health warning of emergency conditions; everyone is more likely to be affected.
100+
Hazardous
Health alert: serious effects for everyone — limit time outdoors.
The European Air Quality Index ranges from 0 (best) to 100+ (worst). It combines measurements of particulate matter and gas pollutants into a single number.
History — Past 30 days
min–maxAvg AQI
What are these pollutants?
PM2.5 — Fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers. These particles are small enough to bypass the nose and throat, reaching deep into the lungs and even entering the bloodstream. Major sources include vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, and wildfires.
PM10 — Coarse particles smaller than 10 micrometers, including dust, pollen, and road surface wear. While larger than PM2.5, they still cause respiratory irritation and aggravate asthma.
O₃ — Ground-level ozone is not emitted directly — it forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in sunlight. Higher in summer afternoons. Can trigger asthma attacks and reduce lung function.
NO₂ — Nitrogen dioxide comes primarily from vehicle engines and power plants. It inflames the lining of the airways, making the lungs more susceptible to infection.
SO₂ — Sulfur dioxide is released by burning fossil fuels containing sulfur, especially coal and oil. Even short exposure can constrict airways, particularly in people with asthma.
CO — Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas from incomplete combustion of fuels. Outdoors, it mainly comes from vehicle traffic. At elevated levels, it reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
Dust (AOD) — AOD at 550nm. Above 0.3 = Saharan dust.
Air Quality FAQ
What is the Air Quality Index?
The European AQI is a number from 0 to 100+ that summarizes how clean or polluted the air is. It combines measurements of fine particles (PM2.5, PM10) and gases (ozone, NO₂, SO₂) into a single score. The higher the number, the worse the air quality and the greater the health risk.
Who is most sensitive to air pollution?
Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with asthma, COPD, or heart disease are most vulnerable. Even moderate pollution levels (AQI 41–60) can trigger symptoms in these groups. Athletes and outdoor workers also face higher exposure due to increased breathing rates.
How can I protect myself?
On high-pollution days: stay indoors with windows closed, use air purifiers with HEPA filters, avoid strenuous outdoor exercise (especially near busy roads), and check the AQI forecast before planning activities. Even on moderate days, sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
When is air quality typically worst?
Ozone peaks on hot, sunny afternoons (summer). Particle pollution (PM2.5) is often worst in winter due to heating and temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the ground. Rush-hour traffic causes NO₂ spikes morning and evening. Dust events and wildfires can cause sudden, severe spikes any time of year.
Data: Copernicus CAMS · CC-BY-4.0
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