Google Maps wants to help you breathe only fresh air and, as such, is debuting a new level of air quality in the United States on both Android and iOS. This will show you what to expect, from an aerial perspective: whether it’s smoky, smoky, otherwise mean, or just plain gorgeous.
With these details at hand, you can make more informed decisions about whether to go out and if so, for how long. What you will see are the AQI or Air Quality Index numbers, along with directions for outdoor activities, when the information was last updated and links to find out more.
The data comes from trusted government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. Maps also displays air quality information from PurpleAir, a low-cost sensor network that can give you a hyper-local view of conditions. To add this air quality level to your map, you need to tap the button in the top right corner of your phone screen, then select Air quality under Map details. PurpleAir information is also available on Nest displays and speakers.
There is also a layer of fires available in the United States as the fire season approaches. This allows you to see details on active fires in the area, thanks to Google’s partnership with the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). For large fires you can also search for “fires near me” and the associated details will be displayed, along with air quality information. “In the coming months,” Google search will also add data on smoking in the United States from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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