To calculate Air quality Risk, we use a single direct indicator [E. Pisoni et al. 2025, H.Yue et al. 2024]:
Our methodology for Air Quality Risk assessment is an approach directly based on methods and data from the world's most important public health institutions.
This method is not based on climate models, but on large-scale epidemiological studies that quantify pollution's impact on human health.
The very concept of 'premature mortality attributable' to a risk factor (like PM2.5 pollution) and the methodology for calculating it come from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, a global scientific initiative coordinated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).
Our risk levels are contextualized by comparing them to other causes of death.
In conclusion, our Air Quality Risk classification method is a direct application of data and methods developed by the Global Burden of Disease study, the Health Effects Institute and the World Health Organization (WHO). It is an impact-based approach, using the most important metric — human health — to define risk.
Our methodology for Air Quality Risk assessment is an approach directly based on methods and data from the world's most important public health institutions.
This method is not based on climate models, but on large-scale epidemiological studies that quantify pollution's impact on human health.
The very concept of 'premature mortality attributable' to a risk factor (like PM2.5 pollution) and the methodology for calculating it come from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, a global scientific initiative coordinated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).
• [Global Burden of Disease (GBD)](Global Burden of Disease (GBD))
GBD is the world's most comprehensive epidemiological study. It developed statistical models (called 'integrated exposure-response functions' or IER) that relate pollutant concentration levels (like PM2.5) to increased risk of death from specific diseases (stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, COPD). Our input variable 'Attributable premature mortality rate' is one of the main outputs of this research project.
Our risk levels are contextualized by comparing them to other causes of death.
• [Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Compare Data Visualization Tool](Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Compare Data Visualization Tool)
• [Global Health Estimates: Life expectancy and leading causes of death and disability](Global Health Estimates: Life expectancy and leading causes of death and disability)
These online tools and databases allow exploring mortality rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) for hundreds of causes of death globally, regionally and nationally. Using these tools, one can verify the validity of considered levels.
In conclusion, our Air Quality Risk classification method is a direct application of data and methods developed by the Global Burden of Disease study, the Health Effects Institute and the World Health Organization (WHO). It is an impact-based approach, using the most important metric — human health — to define risk.