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Air Quality API

Path: Computer Tech/Development/Tech Companies/Google/Google Maps Platform/Environment APIs/Air Quality API.mdUpdated: 2/3/2026

Air Quality API

What It Does

The Air Quality API provides real-time and historical air pollution data for any location on Earth with 500x500 meter resolution. It returns pollutant concentrations (PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO), health recommendations, and a universal Air Quality Index (UAQI) from 0-500.

Data comes from government monitoring stations, sensors, satellites, and weather models, processed into a standardized format across 100+ countries.

Music Use Case: Sonic Environment Documentation

When creating field recordings or soundwalks, air quality affects both what you hear and what you breathe:

Recording site selection:

  • Check air quality before scheduling outdoor recording sessions
  • Document pollution levels alongside audio recordings (sonic context)
  • Identify patterns: "Industrial areas recorded on high-pollution days sound different"

Audio map metadata:

  • Tag each recording location with UAQI score
  • Create pollution-aware soundwalk routes (avoid high-pollution areas)
  • Correlate sonic character with environmental conditions

Example: Recording the Tijuana Estuary

json
{
  "location": "Tijuana Estuary mouth",
  "coordinates": {"lat": 32.5679, "lng": -117.1241},
  "recording_date": "2025-11-09",
  "air_quality_uaqi": 68,
  "dominant_pollutant": "PM2.5",
  "health_note": "Moderate - sensitive groups reduce outdoor activity",
  "sonic_notes": "Traffic noise from I-5, seabird calls, ocean waves"
}

Environmental Research Use Case: Infrastructure Monitoring

Water and sewer treatment facilities both affect and are affected by air quality:

Treatment plant monitoring:

  • Track emissions from wastewater treatment processes
  • Correlate odor complaints with measured air quality
  • Identify pollution sources near water infrastructure
  • Monitor air quality changes after infrastructure improvements

Example: WWTP La Morita Analysis

Location: 32.4552°N, 116.8604°W (Tijuana)
Distance from residential areas: 2.3 km
Current UAQI: 45 (Good)
Primary pollutants: NO2 from nearby industrial zone
Recommendation: Suitable for outdoor work at facility

Water quality correlation:

  • Poor air quality often indicates industrial activity that also pollutes water
  • Use Air Quality API to identify pollution corridors affecting watersheds
  • Plan water sampling routes to avoid high-exposure areas

Inspection route planning:

  • Check air quality along planned routes
  • Reschedule outdoor work during poor air quality days
  • Provide health recommendations to field crews

How to Use It

Direct API Call (No MCP Tool Available)

Endpoint: https://airquality.googleapis.com/v1/currentConditions:lookup

Request:

bash
curl -X POST "https://airquality.googleapis.com/v1/currentConditions:lookup?key=YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "location": {
      "latitude": 32.5332,
      "longitude": -117.0192
    }
  }'

Response includes:

  • universalAqi - 0-500 scale (0-50 = Good, 51-100 = Moderate, etc.)
  • dominantPollutant - Which pollutant is worst (pm25, pm10, ozone, etc.)
  • pollutants - Array with concentration for each pollutant
  • healthRecommendations - Activity guidance for general population and sensitive groups

Optional Parameters

Specify pollutants:

json
{
  "location": {"latitude": 32.5332, "longitude": -117.0192},
  "extraComputations": ["POLLUTANT_CONCENTRATION", "DOMINANT_POLLUTANT_CONCENTRATION"],
  "uaqiColorPalette": "RED_GREEN"
}

Historical data:

json
{
  "location": {"latitude": 32.5332, "longitude": -117.0192},
  "period": {
    "startTime": "2025-11-01T00:00:00Z",
    "endTime": "2025-11-09T00:00:00Z"
  }
}

How It Works

Data sources (in priority order):

  1. Government air quality monitoring stations
  2. Low-cost sensor networks (PurpleAir, etc.)
  3. Satellite observations (NASA, ESA)
  4. Weather model predictions (interpolation)

500x500m resolution: The API spatially interpolates between monitoring stations. Urban areas with dense sensors get more accurate results than rural areas.

Update frequency: Every hour for current conditions, with a 1-3 hour lag depending on source.

When to Use It

Music/Audio projects:

  • Planning outdoor recording sessions
  • Documenting environmental context of field recordings
  • Creating health-aware soundwalk routes
  • Researching sonic environments and pollution correlation

Environmental research:

  • Water treatment facility monitoring
  • Industrial pollution source identification
  • Field crew safety planning
  • Correlating air and water quality in watersheds

Don't use it for:

  • Indoor air quality (measures outdoor only)
  • Real-time emergency alerts (1-3 hour lag)
  • Hyperlocal measurements (<500m precision)

Pro Tips

Combine with Weather API: Air quality varies with wind direction, temperature inversions, and humidity. Check weather data to understand why UAQI is high.

Time of day matters: Morning and evening rush hours often show worse air quality in urban areas. Plan recordings for mid-morning or afternoon.

Document your baseline: Record air quality on your first visit, then track changes over time. Pollution patterns reveal land use and industrial activity.

Cross-reference with Places API: Search for industrial facilities, highways, or power plants near your recording/monitoring site. Explain air quality readings with geographic context.

Related APIs

  • Weather API - Wind direction affects pollutant dispersion
  • Pollen API - Combined view of respiratory irritants
  • Maps Datasets API - Overlay air quality measurements on custom maps
  • Places API - Find pollution sources (factories, highways)

Resources