Air Quality Index (AQI) System for Mauritius

Air Quality Indexing (AQI) System for Mauritius 

The AQI System for Mauritius was launched on 07 September 2022 at the National Environmental Laboratory in Réduit, at the initiative of Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change on the occasion of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. The aim of the AQI is to collect and analyse data in view to reduce levels of key air pollutants and improve the quality of air, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines. 

Air Quality is monitored at various strategic locations in Mauritius.  The AQI system comprises six fixed stations and four Internet of Things (IoT) sensors deployed around the island linked through a central network system which disseminates hourly and daily indices. The main objectives of the system are to: 

• Accurately sense air quality in real time;
• Inform citizens about our air quality index in Mauritius;
• Optimise air quality index;
• Track and combat pollution; as well as
• Create a better urban environment by reducing the emission of CO2 and other pollutants. 

Information collected by the system can easily be accessed by the public and tourists through dedicated web portal, mobile applications and dedicated electronic billboards display. 

see also WHO Air Pollution (Overview, Impacts and More)

see also WHO Database (Mauritius)

Access AQI (Mauritius)

How is the Air Quality Index (AQI) Computed?

The AQI system is a tool used by government agencies worldwide to communicate to the public in a simplified manner (using colour code) the prevailing air quality in a given region by knowing how clean or polluted our air is, and what associated health effects might be of concern to them. 
Presently, there are ten (10) regions across the island where the air quality is continuously being monitored using 6 Fixed Ambient Air Monitoring stations and 4 Smart Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. 

The AQI is computed based on the concentration of key air pollutants being monitored, and then color-coded to indicate the level of health concern for the general public.  
The pollutants considered are Ground-level Ozone (O3), Particulate Matter (PM10), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).  The final AQI is the highest AQI among all pollutants at a given time and location.  
The AQI is divided into categories that correspond to different levels of health concern. Each category has a colour code for easier public understanding.  These colour codes are based on Environmental Protection (Standards for Air) Regulations 1998.  When the AQI is red it implies that the Standards for Air has been exceeded.

The AQI calculated for each region is displayed on a web portal and is accessible on https://airquality.govmu.org or via Quick Links on the Ministry’s official website.