Air quality is
changing us.
The air we breathe is quietly shaping our biology. This is a scientific look at the invisible lines between pollution, chronic disease, and human potential.
What air does to the body
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) moves through the lungs into the bloodstream, influencing cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological systems.
Heart Risk
Sustained exposure to moderate PM2.5 levels correlates with measurable increases in arterial inflammation and clotting markers.
Diabetes Risk
Airborne pollutants trigger inflammatory pathways that reduce insulin sensitivity, contributing to metabolic dysfunction.
Dementia Risk
Ultrafine particles can cross the blood-brain barrier, where they appear to accelerate neuroinflammatory processes linked to cognitive decline.
What adds up
Sleep Efficiency
-5%Observed reduction in REM cycles associated with respiratory irritation.
Anxiety & Depression
+15%Strong correlation between systemic inflammation and mood regulation.
Breathing Function
-30%Measured reduction in lung capacity during high-exposure events.
The Focus Tax
The gap between standards and reality
Despite strong evidence linking air quality to health outcomes, regulatory standards vary widely and often lag behind what biological research suggests is safe.
10% of cities meet WHO guidelines
According to the latest WHO data, only 10% of the global population lives in areas that meet the recommended air quality guidelines.
US Exposure
More than half the U.S. population experiences pollution spikes above recommended levels at least once per year, often from wildfire smoke or localized emissions.
Track what matters.
You can't manage what you don't measure. AER turns invisible environmental signals into clear, usable data.
- timelineCumulative Air ScoreA single metric that tracks your biological load over time, not just the current moment.
- historyExposure TimelineVisualize when and where your highest exposure events occurred to optimize your routes and habits.