How AirScore Works
AirScore combines long-term pollution indicators with nearby pollution sources to produce a simple 0–100 score for U.S. addresses.
Higher scores generally indicate cleaner air and fewer nearby risk factors; lower scores indicate more potential long-term exposure signals.
What goes into the score?
| Factor |
What it measures |
Why it matters |
| Superfund |
Distance to EPA-designated hazardous waste cleanup sites |
Some sites are associated with long-term chemical exposure concerns depending on contaminants and pathways |
| Industrial |
Proximity to TRI-listed facilities that report releases |
Helps flag areas with higher likelihood of industrial emissions nearby |
| Airports |
Closeness to major and regional airports |
Aircraft and airport operations can contribute to ultrafine particles and NOx |
| Live AQI |
Current Air Quality Index (PM, ozone, etc.) |
Captures “today’s” conditions that can affect symptoms and outdoor activity decisions |
| PM2.5 |
Long-term fine particulate matter levels |
PM2.5 is one of the strongest air-pollution predictors tied to cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes |
| Highways |
Distance to major highways and road traffic |
Traffic pollution is associated with asthma risk and cardiovascular strain, especially near busy roads |
AirScore™ ranges from 0 to 100. It’s a screening-style signal—not a diagnosis—designed to help you compare locations and ask better questions.
Factor weights (current model)
How the score is calculated (high level)
AirScore starts from 100 and applies weighted deductions (“penalties”) based on each factor’s magnitude and proximity.
Some components use distance-based decay (closer sources matter more). PM2.5 and AQI are treated as air-quality intensity signals.
The goal is to balance long-term exposure signals with practical, location-specific context.
Note: Not every site emits harmful air pollutants, and not every pollutant travels the same way. AirScore summarizes multiple public datasets into a single, interpretable score to help with comparison—not to replace professional evaluation.
Why it matters
Most consumer tools focus on what the air looks like today. AirScore is built for the longer view—so if you’re choosing where to live,
you can evaluate chronic exposure signals, compare neighborhoods, and make more informed tradeoffs.
Get Your AirScore Now
