When planning time outdoors, pollen and air quality are two different pieces of information. Pollen means biological particles released by plants; air quality mainly describes pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide. They can matter at the same time, but one index cannot replace the other. pelud.net combines them in an orientative assessment because airways can be exposed to several factors together.
For Italian pilot cities, the pollen component comes from the CAMS model through Open-Meteo. It displays six species—alder, birch, grasses, mugwort, olive and ragweed—at approximately 11 km resolution. It is modeled, not measured by a local monitor in this service. Cypress, parietaria and other taxa are not part of the CAMS component; they should not be inferred from the EAQI value.
What is the EAQI?
The European Air Quality Index (EAQI) is a summary scale for reading pollutant conditions. The page shows a class, not an individual diagnosis. pelud.net uses these bands in its calculation:
| EAQI | Class in the calculation | Score effect |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20 | Good | no increase |
| 21–40 | Fair | no increase |
| 41–60 | Moderate | +3 |
| 61–80 | Poor | +6 |
| >80 | Very or extremely poor | +10 |
The overall value can reflect the most unfavourable pollutant according to the index. One number cannot describe every substance, personal exposure or the difference between a busy street and a green area. Individual health decisions require health authorities and professional advice.
Why it matters to sensitive people
Fine particles and irritating gases can make a day with pollen feel more troublesome. This does not mean polluted air automatically causes an allergy or that everyone reacts in the same way. It means respiratory symptoms, cough or irritation can have more than one contributing factor.
The calculation treats EAQI as a positive modifier: poorer air can add points, while good air does not subtract from pollen burden. This is a cautious model choice, not a clinical severity measurement. If pollen is low but EAQI is high, the page may still suggest more caution; if EAQI is good, a high pollen value remains high.
Cities, traffic and weather
Conditions differ across Italy’s Po Valley, coast, hills and islands. Traffic, stagnant air, wind and rain affect the atmosphere differently. Wind may disperse some pollutants but transport pollen; rain can remove particles and pollen, although its effect depends on intensity and duration. A coastal city is not automatically always cleaner, and a hot day does not produce the same result in every neighbourhood.
Open-Meteo combines atmospheric model data and returns a value for coordinates. The city point used on the page represents the grid area, not the user’s balcony. Do not compare two streets using only the site’s number. For local traffic restrictions or exceedances, follow your regional environmental agency and local authorities.
How to use the information
Read the EAQI class first, then the pollen detail. If both are elevated, reduce strenuous exercise near busy roads, choose a route that is less exposed where possible, and plan breaks. If you have asthma or respiratory disease, follow the plan agreed with your clinician. Do not change medication based on an index alone.
At home and work, close windows during the least favourable period only if doing so improves indoor conditions; ventilate when outdoor conditions are more suitable and maintain filters and systems according to instructions. Avoid smoke, irritating aerosols and activities that raise dust. These habits do not “cancel” pollution, but they can reduce personal exposure.
The most useful comparison is usually within the same location and time: look for a persistent change in the EAQI class, then consider what you were doing outdoors. A short walk, a long run beside traffic and time indoors are different exposures even when the displayed index is identical. If you use an air cleaner or mechanical ventilation, follow the manufacturer's maintenance guidance and do not assume it removes every pollutant or pollen. The index helps with planning; it cannot certify indoor air or predict an individual's reaction.
Important limits
EAQI is not a medical bulletin, and the pelud.net score is not an official air-quality index. The CAMS component is an approximately 11 km forecast, not a local measurement; its six pollen variables also do not represent every Italian taxon. A difference between the site and a monitor or local bulletin is therefore not necessarily an error: they may refer to different times, coordinates and methods.
Read how we calculate risk and how to protect yourself from pollen. For official context, see the CAMS/Open-Meteo service and regional environmental agencies. This article is informational and does not replace medical assessment.