Measure local air quality via an air quality index or a variable such as PM 2.5 concentration or local asthma rates. For advanced completion, include an additional measure appropriate to the local context (see the list below). For the purpose of this indicator topic, air quality is considered as a proxy for respiratory health.

Air quality can be measured using, for example:

● Air quality index

● Childhood asthma rates

● Nitrogen dioxide concentration

● Household solid fuels combustion

● Ambient ozone pollution

● PM 2.5 concentration

● Distribution of bioindicators such as lichens or bryophytes

Alternative/additional measures include:
1. Rates of disorders and diseases linked to exposure to dangerous substances such as lead poisoning, birth defects, cancer and obesity as well as neurological, endocrinological, thyroid and cardiovascular problems.
2. Rates of zoonotic communicable disease outbreaks and/or presence of resistant bacterial strains
3. Rates of human microbiome diversity-related conditions such as autoimmune diseases, type 1 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel diseases
4. The contribution of vegetation to urban cooling (as modelled with, for instance, the Urban InVEST tool) may also be reported as a measure of heat mitigation.