AIR ET SANTÉ’s air quality index is based on data provided by
more than 300 measurement stations located in France of the EEA network
(European Environment Agency, an agency of the European Union) in
France
These stations measure in the ambient air the presence of several
pollutants which negative impact on health is proven. The presence of these
pollutants is very strongly influenced by the geographical situation
(urban areas, road networks, industrial areas, agricultural areas, etc.) and topography.
The pollutants mainly measured are fine particles, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon, benzene, arsenic ...
In developing its index, AIR ET SANTÉ made the choice
to restrict the analysis on the 3 main pollutants monitored by the AASQA
network (Authorized Associations Air Quality Monitoring) :
- The PM 10
- Ozone
- Nitrogen dioxide
For each city, the AIR ET SANTÉ index is drawn up
from the values of the average annual concentrations of these pollutants
(expressed in microg / m3) noticed in the stations, then
weighted to take into account the proximity of these stations
with the town.
SNB: Evaluated from annual averages, the AIR
ET SANTÉ index should not be considered as an snapshot
index of air quality and is not intended to emit an alert, especially during peaks of pollution.
In case of episodes of heavy pollution, the value of the index, smoothed over the year, takes this into account.