OpenAQ

Open air quality data

OpenAQ is an open-source platform aggregating real-time and historical air quality data from government monitoring stations worldwide. The API provides access to measurements for PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO, and BC from thousands of locations across 100+ countries. Data is sourced directly from official government agencies and reference-grade monitors. For OpenClaw agents, OpenAQ enables air quality monitoring skills — check pollution levels before recommending outdoor activities, track AQI trends for your city, or build health-conscious daily briefings that factor in air quality. Especially relevant for cities like Mumbai and Delhi where air quality varies dramatically.

Tags: data, environment

Category: Environment

Use Cases

  • Include air quality data in daily morning briefings for health-conscious scheduling
  • Alert when AQI exceeds unhealthy levels in your city via Telegram
  • Track historical air quality trends for locations you frequently visit

Tips

  • Use coordinates-based search with radius for the most relevant nearby stations
  • Cache air quality data — hourly checks are sufficient for most use cases
  • Combine with weather data for comprehensive outdoor activity recommendations

Known Issues & Gotchas

  • API v3 requires an API key — the old keyless v2 is deprecated
  • Data availability varies by country — some regions have sparse coverage
  • Station data can have gaps when government monitors go offline

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OpenAQ cover Indian cities?

Yes. OpenAQ aggregates data from India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state boards. Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai have good coverage with multiple monitoring stations.

How current is the data?

Data freshness depends on the source agency. Most government stations report hourly. Some stations may have delays of a few hours. It's suitable for daily monitoring, not real-time emergency alerts.

Is OpenAQ free for commercial use?

The data itself is open. The API is free for non-commercial use. For commercial applications, contact OpenAQ for licensing terms.