Tag #N95 Masks

How does the Air Quality Index (AQI) work, and what specific pollutants are measured to assess the health risks posed by the current wildfire smoke?

The Air Quality Index (AQI), a federal measure, uses a six-color scale to represent air pollution levels, from green (good) to maroon (hazardous). Five pollutants—ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide—are assessed. Current wildfires have caused dangerously high AQI levels, necessitating protective measures like N95 masks or better, P100+ organic vapor masks, to mitigate the health risks associated with wildfire smoke.