The Human-Air Interface: Responding To Poor Air Quality Through Lived Experience and Digital Information

Abstract

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a set of numerical, color-coded metrics used to communicate air pollution levels. AQI data is available through a variety of mediums such as mobile apps, websites and public displays. However, the information communicated through these may not be easily interpretable to everyone. Especially when scientific data and associated representations are used to convey information to communities whose shared knowledge and practices are significantly different from Western scientific contexts. We discuss findings from a qualitative study conducted in Delhi, India to understand how residents across both low- and high-resourced communities, assess their personal risk around air pollution and the safety measures they take to mitigate that risk. We reveal incompatibilities between the air-quality information displayed in digital platforms and whether that information is interpretable for people with different cultural sensitivities. We conclude with design implications for improving the interpretability and relevance of air quality interfaces.