Capital city in Pichincha, Ecuador
Air quality in Quito
Polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Quito was 18 µg/m³ in 2013, about 3.6 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Traffic fumes at altitude and occasional volcanic ash or wildfire smoke; usually acceptable. Check IQAir on dry-season days.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 18 µg/m³ yearly average (2013). Measured at Quito.
- PM10: 37 µg/m³ (2013).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 25 µg/m³ (2013), mostly from traffic.
- Recent average: 18.1 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2013 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2011 | |
| 2010 |
Air quality across Ecuador
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Cuenca | 8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Quito | 18 µg/m³ | Polluted |
Quick answers
Is the air in Quito bad?
Polluted: 18 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 3.6× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in Quito?
Traffic fumes at altitude and occasional volcanic ash or wildfire smoke; usually acceptable. Check IQAir on dry-season days.
How does Quito compare with the rest of Ecuador?
People in Ecuador breathe 19 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 18 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Quito
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Metro de Quito
- Quito Airport (Quiport)
- Hospital Metropolitano
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.