Air quality index
Air quality index has been studied in 5 papers since 2022: 5 observational studies in people; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Oct 31, 2026: “Long-Term Air Quality Index and Osteoporosis Prevalence: A Cross-Sectional Study in Nanjing, China”.
5 papers study it5 findingsUpdated
1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 5
“Increases in the standard deviations (±SD) of AQI, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 concentrations were associated with decreases in MVPA per week”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 4 independent labs in 3 countries
- Funders: National Key Research and Development Program of China and others
- Humans5
What did studies of Air quality index find?
3Studies of Air quality index measured 3 outcomes; the most studied are daily walking steps (1 study), sedentary behavior (1) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (1).
Daily walking steps
downin humans1
1 study
Daily walking steps
downin humans1
Air quality index is linked with lower daily walking steps in humans (single-variable models) (decline of 550.04 steps (95% CI -858.97, -241.10) per one-level increase in AQI).
“A one-level increase in AQI corresponded to a decline in 550.04 steps (95% [CI] = -858.97, -241.10; p < 0.001)”
Humanssingle-variable models7 consecutive daysn = 184
Objectively measured the impact of ambient air pollution on physical activity for older adults
BMC public health
Sedentary behavior
upin humans1
1 study
Sedentary behavior
upin humans1
Air quality index is linked with higher sedentary behavior in humans (per 1 SD increase in AQI) (1.32 h/week per SD (95%CI 0.77, 1.88)).
“Increases in one SD of AQI, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 were associated with increases in SB per week”
Humansper 1 SD increase in AQI
International journal of environmental research and public health
Moderate to vigorous physical activity
downin humans1
1 study
Moderate to vigorous physical activity
downin humans1
Air quality index is linked with lower moderate to vigorous physical activity in humans (per 1 SD increase in AQI) (-2.34 h/week per SD (95%CI -3.36, -1.32)).
“Increases in the standard deviations (±SD) of AQI, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 concentrations were associated with decreases in MVPA per week”
Humansper 1 SD increase in AQI
International journal of environmental research and public health
What is Air quality index linked with?
2Studies link Air quality index with 2 measures, most often osteoporosis prevalence (1 study) and Alzheimer's disease (1).
Osteoporosis prevalence
upin humans1
1 study
Osteoporosis prevalence
upin humans1
Air quality index is associated with osteoporosis prevalence in humans (adults undergoing health examinations in Nanjing, China) (Q4 versus Q1 adjusted PR 5.46 (95% CI 3.33–8.97); per interquartile range PR 1.86 (95% CI 1.63–2.14)).
“The AQI association was nonlinear: the adjusted PR for Q4 versus Q1 was 5.46 (95% CI, 3.33–8.97)”
Humansadults undergoing health examinations in Nanjing, ChinaQ4 versus Q1five-year exposuren = 1,033
Long-Term Air Quality Index and Osteoporosis Prevalence: A Cross-Sectional Study in Nanjing, China
Frontiers in public health
Alzheimer's disease
upin humans1RR 2.28
1 study
Alzheimer's disease
upin humans1RR 2.28
Air quality index raises the risk of Alzheimer's disease in humans (AQI>90 versus ≤ 80) (RR 2.28 (1.07-4.87)).
“in Zhejiang cohort the adjusted RR was 2.28 (1.07-4.87) in AQI>90 versus ≤ 80.”
ReviewAQI>90 versus ≤ 805 yearsn = 6,115
Environmental research