Air Quality Index (AQI) in El Salvador 🇸🇻

Live Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5 Levels in El Salvador

Currently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, is measured at a score of 59. According to the US EPA health standard, this air quality rating is categorized as Good. The current atmosphere in San Salvador is influenced by a PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) concentration of 13.6 µg/m³ and PM10 levels recorded at 14.1 µg/m³. Monitoring of gaseous pollutants shows Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) at 20.6 µg/m³.

Beyond the primary urban hubs, atmospheric conditions and smog levels fluctuate across El Salvador based on industrial output, traffic density, and local weather patterns. Real-time pollution data and respiratory health alerts are also being actively monitored in cities like Soyapango, San Miguel, Santa Ana, Mejicanos and Santa Tecla. Tracking these air quality metrics is essential for residents nationwide to manage outdoor exposure and maintain respiratory safety during periods of increased particulate concentration.

Air Quality Snapshot: El Salvador Right Now

Across 8 monitored cities in El Salvador, live air quality currently ranges from a low of 44 AQI in San Miguel (the cleanest air right now) to a high of 62 AQI in Santa Tecla (the most polluted). By US EPA health band, the nationwide distribution stands at 5 Good, 3 Moderate. The average fine-particulate (PM2.5) concentration across these cities is 9.9 µg/m³ — approximately 2.0 times the World Health Organization (WHO) annual air quality guideline of 5 µg/m³.

El Salvador Air Quality: Major Cities Index

Apopa
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Delgado
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* Air Quality Index (AQI) data for El Salvador is calculated using the US EPA standard. Information is processed from multiple monitoring stations detecting PM2.5, PM10, and gaseous pollutants to ensure accuracy for respiratory health planning.

What Today's Readings Mean in El Salvador

The median reading across 8 monitored cities is 46.0 AQI. The national spread is 18 points, from 44 in San Miguel to 62 in Santa Tecla. Average PM2.5 is 9.9 µg/m³ (2.0× the WHO annual guideline).

At least one monitored location is in the Moderate range. People unusually sensitive to air pollution may want to reduce prolonged outdoor exertion there.

See the complete AQI and pollutant reference scales

Health & Scientific Resources

→ How to read US EPA Air Quality Index before going outside → Understanding Air Quality Index levels and what they mean → When haze forms and what it does to air quality

Air Quality in El Salvador — FAQ

Common questions about AQI levels, pollutants, and data sources for El Salvador.

What is the current air quality in El Salvador?

Live AQI readings for 8 city(ies) across El Salvador are listed above on the US EPA 0-500 scale.

Where does El Salvador's AQI data come from?

Real-time readings come from ground-based monitoring stations operated by national environmental agencies in El Salvador, delivered via WeatherAPI.com and aggregated using the EPA AQI formula.

What is a healthy AQI value in El Salvador?

On the EPA scale used worldwide, 0-50 is Good, 51-100 is Moderate, 101-150 is Unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 is Unhealthy, 201-300 is Very Unhealthy, and 301-500 is Hazardous. The WHO 24-hour PM2.5 guideline is 15 μg/m³.

Why do AQI readings vary between cities in El Salvador?

Air quality is highly local — major pollution sources (traffic, industry, dust, wildfires) cluster around cities, while wind direction and topography move them around. Comparing nearby readings on this page is the best way to see how conditions change across El Salvador.