You check the weather every day. You should probably check the air too.

Temperature tells you what the atmosphere feels like.

AQI tells you something about what you’re breathing.

But air-quality numbers can be confusing.

AQI.

PM2.5.

PM10.

Good.

Poor.

Very poor.

Severe.

What does any of it actually mean?

Let’s simplify it.

What is AQI?

AQI stands for Air Quality Index.

It is a way of communicating air-quality information in a number or category that is easier for the public to understand than a list of pollutant concentrations.

Instead of asking:

“What’s the concentration of particulate matter?”

you can ask:

“What is today’s AQI?”

The exact calculation and categories depend on the country’s monitoring system.

That’s important because an AQI number from one country should not automatically be compared numerically with an AQI number from another country’s system.

What is PM2.5?

PM2.5 means particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less.

These particles are extremely small.

WHO identifies PM2.5 as one of the pollutants with particularly strong evidence linking exposure with adverse health outcomes. (World Health Organization)

PM2.5 can come from combustion and other sources including traffic, industry and burning.

What is PM10?

PM10 refers to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 micrometres or less.

These particles are larger than PM2.5, but they are still small enough to be inhaled.

Dust and other coarse particles can contribute to PM10 levels.

This is why construction zones and dusty roads can affect local air quality even when the sky doesn’t look dramatically polluted.

Why does Delhi get so much attention?

Delhi-NCR experiences recurring periods of poor air quality, particularly during the colder months.

Multiple factors can contribute to pollution episodes, including:

* Traffic
* Construction
* Industrial emissions
* Dust
* Weather conditions
* Regional burning
* Waste burning
* Other combustion sources

Air pollution is therefore not caused by one single activity.

What should you do when AQI is poor?

Start with the basics.

Check before outdoor exercise

If you’re planning a run or outdoor HIIT session, air quality should be part of the decision.

Reduce unnecessary exposure

You don’t need to spend extra time outside when conditions are particularly poor.

Improve indoor air quality

Ventilation and filtration strategies can matter depending on your environment.

Avoid adding pollutants yourself

Smoking indoors is an obvious example.

Pay attention to persistent symptoms

If you have persistent breathing difficulties, chest pain, wheezing or other concerning symptoms, speak with a qualified healthcare professional rather than trying to solve the problem with supplements.

Can a supplement cancel out a bad AQI?

No.

That’s an important distinction.

There is no sensible substitute for reducing exposure to polluted air.

BreatheWell is positioned around daily respiratory wellness support.

It isn’t an air purifier.

It isn’t a mask.

It doesn’t remove PM2.5 from the environment.

And it shouldn’t be marketed as a treatment for pollution-related disease.

Think of respiratory wellness as a system:

Know your air → reduce exposure → maintain healthy habits → support nutrition.

That’s a much more useful approach than looking for one magic product.