Local Air Quality Information

Due to the wildfires in southern California, localized areas of smoke have occurred in the Los Angeles/Orange County Basins. As a result, concentrations of fine particulates are expected to reach the unhealthful level in the smoke impacted areas.

All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in the smoke impacted areas.

Below are some helpful notes on how to interpret the SMOG FORECAST DATA from the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) website:

The data that we should be concerned about most during the wildfires is the particulate matter (PM) Air Quality Index (AQI) information, specifically for PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 microns)/PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 microns). Please refer to the Orange County: South Coast Air Basin datasheet for forecasted air quality data provided by the SCAQMD at: http://www.aqmd.gov/telemweb/Forecast.aspx. The following table explains the data sheet columns including what each pollutant is and the effects of prolonged exposure to the pollutant:

Ozone (O3)	invisible, irritates and impairs breathing
Carbon Monoxide (CO)	invisible, reduces bloods oxygen
Fine Particulate Matter 2.5 microns (PM 2.5)	invades deep into lungs, reduces visibility
Particulate Matter under 10 microns (PM10)	invades deep into lungs, reduces visibility
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)	brown, impairs breathing
AQI Range Description	0-50 Good 51-100 Moderate 101-150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups 151-200 Unhealthy 200+ Very Unhealthy

The AQI number, located on the last column of the Daily Smog Forecast for Capistrano Valley, is the number that should be used to compare with the AQI ranges and description mentioned in the table above. In addition, scroll down on the Daily Smog Forecast to the Air Quality Forecast and it will summarize the areas within the SCAQMD air basin that would be considered good, moderate, unhealthy, etc., based on the AQI ranges for those areas.

So what does all this information mean?

In areas with UNHEALTHY-SENSITIVE (AQI of 101 to 150) air quality, sensitive or susceptible persons, such as those with heart or lung disease, should minimize outdoor activity.

In areas with UNHEALTHY (AQI of 151 to 200) air quality or an Ozone HEALTH ADVISORY Alert (AQI of 151 to 200 for 1-hour ozone), everyone should discontinue prolonged, vigorous outdoor exercise lasting longer than one hour. Examples of the kinds of outdoor activities that should be avoided are calisthenics, basketball, running, soccer, football, tennis, swimming laps, and water polo. Susceptible persons, such as those with heart or lung disease, should avoid outdoor activity entirely.

In areas with VERY UNHEALTHY (AQI of 201 or above) air quality or an Ozone STAGE-1 Alert (AQI of 201 or above for 1-hour ozone), everyone should discontinue all vigorous outdoor activities regardless of duration.

Additional information:

Wildfire Smoke - A Guide for Public Health Officials

If you still have any additional questions or, please contact the UC Irvine Environmental Health & Safety Department at 949-824-6200.