The essential air quality apps to help you navigate wildfire season
’Tis the season for breathing—and, in many parts of the world, wondering if the air you’re inhaling is going to cause problems. With my family approaching our one-year anniversary of living in California, wildfires and air quality are all-too-real elements of our day-to-day life. But the reality is that air quality travels —and even if you don’t live somewhere that’s dry and prone to that type of…
Breathing and air quality are constant concerns, especially in regions prone to wildfires. While weather apps often provide basic air quality information, specialized apps offer more detailed and reliable data. Two top picks for tracking air quality are the EPA's AirNow app for the United States and AirVisual by IQAir for international users.
AirNow provides official government data, historical records, and forecasts, making it a solid starting point for understanding air quality in your area. AirVisual, on the other hand, combines official measurements with data from citizen sensors, offering neighborhood-specific air quality scores. Both apps are free and can be accessed via web or mobile apps on Android or iOS.
AirVisual goes a step further by allowing users to purchase their own sensors for more localized readings. Both apps operate without collecting personal data, ensuring user privacy. By using these tools in conjunction with each other, you can stay informed about air quality and take necessary precautions to protect your health.
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