[Tutorial Kit] Air Quality and Health: Creating an Infographic

Shamini V De Silva
3 hours ago
4 min read

Video Timestamps

00:29:09 - What is PM2.5

01:52:15 - Step-by-Step

02:02:03 - Data Hunt

03:05:16 - Canva Sheets

05:49:10 - Infographic!

🎯 Data Challenge

Collect key indicators for your community using free sources of air pollution data and create a project for social media in Canva.

3 Learning Objectives

Query & Collect 📊 data on air pollution in your region.
Analyze data using the data tool: 🧰 🛠️ Canva Sheets.
Visualize & Humanize data by creating a 🎨 data visualization designed for a key stakeholder (i.e., target audience).

Prerequisites. Beginner-friendly, no prior experience needed

Keywords and core concepts also covered:

Spreadsheet formulas (e.g., concatenate, if/then) in 🧰 🛠️ Canva Sheets
How do we measure air pollution, and why does it matter to health?
Socio-ecological model for public health

What you'll need to complete this challenge

⏰ Time: 20-40 minutes
🧰 Tools:
- An account in Canva.
- 🎨 Design Template in Canva
  - https://canva.link/bmqmhji9ov84hok
📊 Data:
- Indicator: PM2.5: Highest Annual Average Concentration (Monitor + Modeled Data), 2020, by County.
  - Data Source: National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, Data Explorer tool. https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/DataExplorer/

Key Terms and Definitions

PM_2.5(or PM2.5) is fine particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers (i.e. microns, µm) in diameter or smaller.
PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³) is measured as particle weight (micrograms, µg) for every cubic meter of air (m³).
The primary, health-based standard for PM2.5. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is 9.0 µg/m³. Above 9.0 µg/m³ is considered harmful to health (EPA, 2025).

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Overview

In this tutorial, you’ll use Canva and to organize air quality data and turn it into a visual infographic video. Built-in formulas within Canva Sheets will automatically generate a clear, shareable message about air pollution in your selected county.

Step 1: Open Canva Sheets

Log in to your Canva account. If you do not have an account, you can create one for free.
Go to the Canva Sheets template and click ‘Edit template’ to create your own copy of the project.
Familiarize yourself with the layout of the Pages:
- Canva Sheets on page 2,
- Instructions on page 3 and 4,
- followed by examples and templates
On the Canva Sheets page, start a row: Enter your name and your chosen county.

Step 2: Collect PM2.5 Data

Navigate to the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network Tool:

In the Query Panel, select:
- STEP 1: CONTENT
  - Content Area: Air Quality
  - Indicator: Current and Historical Air Quality
  - Measure: PM2.5 (highest annual average concentration, monitored + modeled)
- STEP 2: GEOGRAPHY TYPE: State by county
- STEP 3: GEOGRAPHY: Choose your state
- STEP 4: TIME: 2020
- STEP 5: ADVANCED OPTIONS: No Advanced Options
- Click Button: GO

Locate your county on the map and record the PM2.5 value (e.g., 7.9 µg/m³).

Query to obtain PM2.5 data from the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network Tool

Step 3: Input Data into Canva Sheets

Enter the PM2.5 value under the designated column
The sheet will automatically:
- Compare it to the EPA primary, health-based standard (9.0 µg/m³)
- Label it as higher or lower
- Calculate the PM2.5 level as a percentage of the EPA standard
- Generate a short statement or phrase (e.g., “Air pollution in Orleans Parish, LA is lower than the recommended EPA health-based threshold.”)

Step 4: Choose an Infographic Template

Scroll to the bottom of the Canva file to find infographic designs.

Select a design that fits your message
Look for features like:
- Gauges or indicators
- Space for text and data
- Clean, readable layouts

Step 5: Customize Your Infographic

Duplicate your chosen template page
Update:
- Title (your name + county)
- PM2.5 value
- Comparison (high/low)
- Generated statement

Optional:

Adjust visual elements (e.g., move gauges to reflect pollution level)
Add simple animations using the “Animate” feature

Please watch the video above for more details. Timestamps are provided.

Step 6: Link Your Infographic to the Sheet (optional)

In Canva Sheets, go to your row and under the column titled ‘CANVA PAGE LINK’, press Ctrl + K
Navigate to your page in the list and select it to link it in the cell.

This allows quick navigation between your data and design and is useful if you have data for many counties.

Step 7: Download Your Final Output

Navigate to the page with your infographic
Click Share (in the top right corner) → Download
Select file type:
- MP4 for video
- PNG or JPEG for static images
Select ‘Current page’ → ‘Done’ → ‘Download’

Final Takeaway

Canva Sheets makes it easy to combine data + design in one place. By linking real-world air quality data to visual storytelling, you can create engaging, accessible public health infographics for social media, reports, or presentations.

Submit your Design for a Certificate

Examples of Infographics for Social Media

Portrait style (1080 x 1920 px) movies (.mov, .mp4) can be used for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.

Instructors

Janelle James, BS

BroadStreet Institute

Janelle is a dedicated final-year student at the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, where she is pursuing her Master of Public Health in Community Health Science. A passionate advocate for community wellness, she is particularly passionate about addressing maternal and child health issues, recognizing the ongoing challenges posed by high mortality rates and the need for comprehensive care access.

Connect with Janelle on LinkedIn

Tracy Flood MD PhD

President and Co-founder