Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a standardized index used to monitor and report daily air quality.
It translates complex monitoring data of several air pollutants into a single number that indicates the level of health risk.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Air Quality Index is calculated based on eight major air pollutants: particulate matter ($\text{PM}_{10}$ and $\text{PM}_{2.5}$), nitrogen dioxide ($\text{NO}_2$), sulfur dioxide ($\text{SO}_2$), carbon monoxide ($\text{CO}$), ozone ($\text{O}_3$), ammonia ($\text{NH}_3$), and lead ($\text{Pb}$).
The AQI scale is set from $0\text{ to }500$.
The index is divided into six color-coded categories:
1. Good ($0 - 50$): Minimal impact.
2. Satisfactory ($51 - 100$): Minor breathing discomfort for sensitive individuals.
3. Moderately Polluted ($101 - 200$): Breathing discomfort for individuals with lung or heart diseases.
4. Poor ($201 - 300$): Breathing discomfort for most people on prolonged exposure.
5. Very Poor ($301 - 400$): May cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
6. Severe ($401 - 500$): Seriously impacts sensitive groups and affects healthy individuals.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The Air Quality Index scale used to characterize air quality is $0 - 500$, which corresponds to Option (D).