Real-Time Outdoor Activity Guidelines for Schools Based on PM2.5 Concentration

Air Quality Good Moderate Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous
Recess
(15 minutes)

No restrictions.

Ensure that sensitive individuals are medically managing their condition.

Sensitive individuals should exercise indoors or avoid vigorous outdoor activities.

Exercise indoors or avoid vigorous outdoor activities.

Sensitive individuals should remain indoors.

No outdoor activity.

All activities should be moved indoors.

No outdoor or indoor activities.

P.E.
(1 hour)

No restrictions.

Ensure that sensitive individuals are medically managing their condition.

Sensitive individuals should exercise indoors or avoid vigorous outdoor activities.

Exercise indoors or limit vigorous outdoor activities to a maximum of 15 minutes.

Sensitive individuals should remain indoors.

No outdoor activity.

All activities should be moved indoors.

No outdoor or indoor activities.

Athletic Practice & Training
(2-4 hours)

No restrictions.

Ensure that sensitive individuals are medically managing their condition.

Reduce vigorous exercise to 30 min per hour of practice time with increased breaks and substitutions.

Ensure that sensitive individuals are medically managing their condition.

Exercise indoors or reduce vigorous exercise to 30 minutes of practice time with increased rest breaks and substitutions.

Sensitive individuals should remain indoors.

No outdoor activity.

All activities should be moved indoors.

No outdoor or indoor activities.

Scheduled Sporting Events

No restrictions.

Ensure that sensitive individuals are medically managing their condition.

Increase rest breaks and substitutions per CIF guidelines for extreme heat.

Ensure that sensitive individuals are medically managing their condition.

Increase rest breaks and substitutions per CIF guidelines for extreme heat.

Ensure that sensitive individuals are medically managing their condition.

No outdoor activity.

All activities should be moved indoors.

No outdoor or indoor activities.

PM2.5
AQI
0.0 – 12.0 µg/m³
1 – 50
12.1 – 35.4 µg/m³
51 – 100
35.5 – 55.4 µg/m³
101 – 150
55.5 – 150.4 µg/m³
151 – 200
150.5 – 250.4 µg/m³
201 – 300
≥250.5 µg/m³
≥301

AQI is based on 24-hour average PM2.5 conentration. Guidelines are based on hourly PM2.5 concentration.