Health advice for the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI)
Published 19 December 2025
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Air pollution is communicated on the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI), a simple scale that explains the short term health risk of air pollution in words, numbers and colours.
Each band of the DAQI (low, moderate, high and very high pollution) comes with health advice for:
- the general public
- adults and children with heart or lung conditions, and older people, as these groups may be more sensitive to the health effects of air pollution
Short term exposure to air pollution (over hours or days) can cause a range of health effects, including:
- coughing
- chest tightness and pain
- difficulty breathing
- eye, nose and throat irritation
- worsening of asthma symptoms
- worsening of heart-related symptoms, such as heart palpitations
- worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms
Symptoms could start within hours or several days after exposure to air pollution.
Health advice for low levels of air pollution
For most people, short term exposure to low levels of air pollution is not an issue. Continue your usual outdoor activities.
Some people might experience symptoms due to air pollution, even when levels are low. Adults and children with lung or heart conditions are at greater risk of experiencing symptoms.
Follow your doctor or nurse’s usual advice about physically demanding activities and managing your condition.
Follow your agreed management plan if you have one – for example, an asthma action plan. Ask your doctor or nurse for a plan if you do not have one.
Also consider the impact of other triggers on your symptoms – for example, high pollen outside or poor air quality indoors.
Health advice for moderate levels of air pollution
For most people, short term exposure to moderate levels of air pollution is not an issue. Continue your usual outdoor activities. However, if you are experiencing symptoms, try to reduce your exposure to air pollution.
Speak to your doctor or nurse if:
- you have new symptoms
- your symptoms get worse
- your symptoms do not get better after a week
Also consider the impact of other triggers on your symptoms – for example, high pollen outside or poor air quality indoors.
Advice for adults and children with lung or heart conditions
Try to adapt physically demanding activities outdoors, especially if your symptoms get worse.
Follow your agreed management plan if you have one – for example, an asthma action plan. Ask your doctor or nurse for a plan if you do not have one.
Health advice for high and very high levels of air pollution
Try to reduce your exposure to air pollution, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms.
Speak to your doctor or nurse if:
- you have new symptoms
- your symptoms get worse
- your symptoms do not get better after a week
Also consider the impact of other triggers on your symptoms – for example, high pollen outside or poor air quality indoors.
Advice for adults and children with lung or heart conditions, and older people
You should adapt physically demanding activities outdoors, especially if your symptoms get worse.
Follow your agreed management plan if you have one – for example, an asthma action plan. Ask your doctor or nurse for a plan if you do not have one.