Google Maps’ iOS and Android apps now include an air quality index and a wildfire layer

Google Maps provides a great tool to examine the air quality of a location you’re looking for. This feature will allow you to check the air quality of a location before going there, allowing you to determine whether or not you want to go there. Here’s how you can put it to use.

Google Maps now shows air quality

On Google Maps, the air quality index (AQI) is a new map layer that may activate on both Android and iOS. So, if you’re looking for directions or other information, you may turn on the layer and view the air quality of that location and the surrounding areas.

Use the circle button on the right side of the search bar to access the different map layers. The air quality is one of them. 

Coloured dots will appear in different areas once the feature is activated. Red indicates extremely unhealthy air quality, yellow and orange indicate bad air quality, and green indicates good air quality. Could you take a look at how it seems?

When you choose a particular area to see the air quality, you will also have the opportunity to access extra details.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency and PurpleAir offer air quality statistics. It originates from the National AQI and the CPCB in India (Central Pollution Control Board).

PurpleAir’s AQI will be shown on Nest devices as well. For those unaware, Google launched the AQI feature on Nest Hub last year.

In addition, Google Maps now includes a wildfire layer, which displays information about ongoing flames in the region. 

The data was gathered by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). This is also currently operational. In addition, smoke data will be uploaded to Google Maps in the United States.

The option to see air quality on Google Maps is available to everyone. To obtain access to it, make sure you update your Google Maps app, and after you do, let us know what you think in the comments below.