The Use of a Simple Air Quality Index in the Helsinki Area, Finland

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(1 and 24 h), SO₂ (1 and 24 h), O₃ (1 h) and PM₁₀ (24 h). The AQI is linked to the new air quality guidelines in Finland. The AQI is based on acute health effects, but long-term effects on nature and materials are also taken into consideration. Subindices are calculated hourly for all pollutants and for a given hour the highest subindex becomes the AQI. AQI values are currently calculated for the center of Helsinki and for typical suburban areas.