Air Quality Protocol: Information for FCHS Parents
Protecting Student-Athlete Respiratory Health from Poor Air Quality
The safety and respiratory health of our student-athletes are paramount, particularly when dealing with poor air quality due to wildfires or other environmental factors. This protocol outlines the mandatory Air Quality Index (AQI) guidelines we follow for adjusting or canceling outdoor activities, ensuring compliance with CIF standards for respiratory protection.
Our Commitment: Protecting Respiratory Health
FCHS continuously monitors the local Air Quality Index (AQI) using official government resources. We follow a strict protocol for modifying training, limiting exposure, or moving practices indoors when air quality reaches dangerous levels, prioritizing the long-term lung health of all participants, especially those with pre-existing conditions like asthma.
CIF Mandated AQI Guidelines & Compliance
FCHS adheres to the following Air Quality Index thresholds, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and mandated by CIF:
- Activity Monitoring: We use current AQI readings to determine if outdoor practices, games, or events can proceed safely.
- Modification/Cancellation: Practices are altered, cancled or moved indoors when the AQI enters the unhealthy range.
AQI Safety Levels, PM2.5, and Health Recommendations
The table below defines the AQI levels, the associated health risk, and the required health recommendation for FCHS student-athletes, including the associated particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration.
| Color Code | AQI Value | PM2.5 (µg/m³) | Health Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 0 – 50 | 0 – 12.0 | Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. |
| Yellow | 51 – 100 | 12.1 – 35.4 | Air quality is acceptable. However, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. |
| Orange | 101 – 150 | 35.5 – 55.4 | Members of sensitive groups may begin to experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. |
| Red | 151 – 200 | 55.5 – 150.4 | Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. |
| Purple | 201 – 300 | 150.5 – 250.4 | Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. |
| Maroon | 301 + | 250.5 + | Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects. Everyone should avoid all outdoor exertion. |
FCHS uses the current AQI reading from the nearest official monitoring station, typically available through AirNow.gov.
