AIR QUALITY FL

Air Quality in Gainesville, FL: Good (40 AQI)

AQI 40 · Good · PM2.5 · Updated 2026-07-18

Gainesville's air quality is good. Air pollution poses little or no risk.

Data: EPA AirNow, FEMA National Risk Index Last verified: 2026-07-18

Average AQI

Good

AQI Category

Wildfire Risk

Mold Score

ZIP Codes

What is AQI?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a standardized scale from 0 to 500 that measures air pollution levels. 0-50 is "Good," 51-100 is "Moderate," 101-150 is "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," and above 150 is "Unhealthy" for everyone. AQI tracks five major pollutants: ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Gainesville's average AQI of 40 falls in the "Good" range.

How do wildfires affect air quality?

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can travel hundreds of miles and dramatically spike AQI readings. During fire season, even cities far from active fires can experience unhealthy air. HEPA air purifiers (rated for PM2.5) are the most effective indoor protection. Check AirNow.gov for real-time conditions during fire season.

Air Quality Map: Gainesville, FL

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates AQI level. Tap a dot for details.

Good (0-50) Moderate (51-100) USG (101-150) Unhealthy (151+)

Air Quality by ZIP Code in Gainesville

AQI varies across Gainesville's 18 ZIP codes based on proximity to pollution sources and local geography.

ZIP Code	AQI	Category	Wildfire	Mold
32601	40	Good	37	64	View report →
32602	40	Good	37	61	View report →
32603	40	Good	37	72	View report →
32604	40	Good	38	61	View report →
32605	40	Good	37	67	View report →
32606	40	Good	37	58	View report →
32607	40	Good	37	62	View report →
32608	40	Good	37	58	View report →
32609	40	Good	37	67	View report →
32610	40	Good	37	79	View report →
32611	40	Good	37	79	View report →
32612	40	Good	37	79	View report →
32613	40	Good	37	79	View report →
32614	40	Good	37	79	View report →
32627	40	Good	37	61	View report →

Showing 15 of 18 ZIP codes. View all.

Air Quality Overview

Gainesville, Florida has good air quality with an average AQI of 40. This means air pollution poses little or no risk. The dominant pollutant measured is PM2.5.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an EPA-standardized scale from 0 to 500. Values below 50 are "Good," 51-100 "Moderate," 101-150 "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," 151-200 "Unhealthy," 201-300 "Very Unhealthy," and above 300 "Hazardous."

Dominant Pollutant: PM2.5

PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) consists of particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers - about 30 times thinner than a human hair. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

Health effects of PM2.5 exposure:

Short-term: coughing, shortness of breath, aggravated asthma
Long-term: reduced lung function, cardiovascular disease, premature death
Most vulnerable: children, elderly, people with heart or lung disease

Common sources in urban areas: vehicle exhaust, construction dust, industrial emissions, wildfire smoke, residential wood burning.

Air Quality by ZIP Code in Gainesville

AQI varies across Gainesville's 18 ZIP codes based on proximity to pollution sources, traffic patterns, and local geography:

ZIP Code	AQI	Category	Wildfire Risk	Mold Score
32601	40	Good	37	64
32602	40	Good	37	61
32603	40	Good	37	72
32604	40	Good	38	61
32605	40	Good	37	67
32606	40	Good	37	58
32607	40	Good	37	62
32608	40	Good	37	58
32609	40	Good	37	67
32610	40	Good	37	79
32611	40	Good	37	79
32612	40	Good	37	79
32613	40	Good	37	79
32614	40	Good	37	79
32627	40	Good	37	61

Showing 15 of 18 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed data.

Wildfire Smoke Risk

Gainesville has an elevated wildfire smoke risk with an average smoke risk score of 37 (scale 0-100). There have been 320 fires recorded within 100 km of city ZIP codes.

Metric	Value
Avg. smoke risk score	37
Max smoke risk score	38
Fires within 100 km	320
High-risk ZIP codes	0

Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. Even short-term exposure can trigger asthma attacks and respiratory distress.

Indoor Mold Risk

Gainesville has an average mold risk score of 68 out of 100, with 18 ZIP codes in the high-risk category.

Factor	Value
Mold risk score	68/100
Average humidity	78% RH
High-risk ZIPs	18
Peak season	summer high

Mold risk is influenced by humidity levels, housing age (older homes have more moisture issues), flood history, and water infrastructure quality. Indoor humidity above 60% creates favorable conditions for mold growth.

Signs of mold problems: musty odors, visible growth on walls or ceilings, worsening allergies indoors, condensation on windows. Professional mold testing ($300-$600) can identify hidden issues.

Health Recommendations

With good air quality (AQI 40), Gainesville residents can enjoy outdoor activities without significant restrictions. General tips:

Monitor AQI during wildfire season for temporary spikes
Use HEPA air purifiers indoors if you have respiratory conditions
Maintain indoor humidity between 30-50% to prevent mold

Gainesville vs. Nearby Florida Cities

How Gainesville's air quality compares to nearby cities:

City	AQI	Category	Population
Gainesville	40	Good	224,073
Homestead	71	Moderate	215,733
Elfers	50	Good	214,403
Port Saint Lucie	55	Moderate	238,962

ZIP Codes in Gainesville

Gainesville covers 18 ZIP codes. Air quality can vary by neighborhood based on proximity to highways, industrial areas, and green spaces. Check your specific ZIP code for localized data.

Data Sources

Air quality: EPA AirNow - real-time and historical AQI data
Wildfire risk: FEMA National Risk Index
Mold risk: Derived from EPA, FEMA, Census ACS (humidity, housing age, flood history)
Monthly AQI: EPA Air Quality Statistics

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the air safe to breathe in Gainesville?

Yes - Gainesville's average AQI is 40 (Good). Air pollution poses little or no risk for the general population.

How many unhealthy air days does Gainesville have?

Gainesville has zero recorded unhealthy air quality days, which is excellent. Air quality can still vary seasonally due to wildfire smoke, pollen, or industrial activity.

What is the AQI in Gainesville?

The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Gainesville is 40, categorized as Good. The primary pollutant is PM2.5. AQI ranges from 0-500, where 0-50 is Good, 51-100 Moderate, 101-150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and 151+ Unhealthy.

What is the wildfire risk in Gainesville?

Gainesville has a wildfire risk score of 37 out of 100. Moderate wildfire risk means smoke events are possible. Having a HEPA air purifier available is recommended.

Is mold a concern in Gainesville?

Gainesville has a mold risk score of 68 out of 100, based on humidity, precipitation, and temperature data. This is elevated - proper ventilation, dehumidifiers, and regular inspection of basements and bathrooms are important.

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