Forecasting air quality index (AQI) and air quality health index (AQHI) by time series models in Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Background: Air pollution indexes are used to indicate the level, quantity, and quality of air pollution. The air quality index (AQI) and air quality health index (AQHI) have been developed to report their association with human health. Methods: Air quality variables (PM2.5, O3, and NOx) per hour were obtained for March 2021 to March 2022 from three central pollution control centers in Ahvaz, the capital city of Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran. R3-3-4, Minitab-17, and SPSS-19 software were used to analyze the obtained data. Results: In this study, AQHI and AQI were predicted with actual data, forecasting the air quality with two confidence interval percentages of 95 and 80 illustrated for future days. Also, the relationship between AQI and AQHI was determined; hence, this relationship is important for some cities for which the AQHI index is not measurable. AQHI can be determined for each place using AQI values and the obtained relationship. Conclusion: The result indicated that we could also forecast the AQI and AQHI for future days and obtain a new equation for AQHI due to AQI values.