Air Quality
Cal Maritime monitors the local and regional air quality to provide information and guidance regarding campus community activities and operations. Based on wildfires or other factors, activities may be moved indoors or even canceled based on local conditions. Conditions are evaluated over time, and decisions are based on past, current, and forecasted air quality. The factors also include other atmospheric conditions such as wind, temperature, and similar factors.
Many different sources of air quality information are available and can vary dramatically based on the specific microclimate where sensors are located, methods of calculating the index, and other factors.
Cal Maritime primarily uses Purple Air and also references and compares information to AirNow.
Cal Maritime has two air quality sensors installed on campus, and they can be viewed online anytime through . Purple Air is a crowdsourced air monitoring network that anyone can install and can be viewed through the platform. It is usually quite accurate, and the sensors are abundant, giving more localized data points.
is operated by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is reliable data, but the nearest two sensors are in downtown Vallejo where there is often less air movement, and San Pablo. This site has detailed information on how the is calculated and the recommended , particularly related to your personal health.
| Daily AQI Color | Levels of Concern | Values of Index | Description of Air Quality | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Good | 0 to 50 | Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. | Go Outside! |
| Yellow | Moderate | 51 to 100 | Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution | If very sensitive, consider closing operable windows. |
| Orange | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | 101 to 150 | Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. |
Close operable windows and limit outside exertion. Consider moving activities indoors. |
| Red | Unhealthy | 151 to 200 | Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. | Limit time outdoors or consider an N95 respirator. |
| Purple | Very unhealthy | 201 to 300 | Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. | Stay indoors and filter air if possible. |
| Maroon | Hazardous | 301 and higher | Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. | Stay indoors and filter air possible. If you must be outside, use an N95 respirator. |