An apparatus includes a capture device and a processor. The capture device may be configured to generate pixel data corresponding to an exterior view from a vehicle. The processor may be configured to generate video frames from the pixel data, perform computer vision operations on the video frames to detect objects in the video frames and determine characteristics of the objects, analyze the characteristics with respect to the vehicle to determine visual indicators to predict an air quality and generate a control signal in response to an air quality value. The control signal may be configured to toggle an activation of an air recirculation feature of the vehicle when the air quality value reaches a threshold value. The visual indicators may be used to adjust the air quality value.