When moving into the summer months and potentially spending additional time outside both at work and at home, it is important to understand air quality issues that may arise.
AirNow (www.airnow.gov) is a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control, and tribal, state, and local air quality agencies. Agencies all over the country send their monitoring data to AirNow for display. The U.S. Forest Service and NOAA provide fire and smoke data.
AirNow uses the data provided by these entities and maintains a color-coded chart based on levels of concern. UMD departments have developed guidance on protections that are to be in place when air quality becomes unhealthy.
In Maryland, air quality is most affected by ground level ozone and particle pollutants.
| AQI Basics for Ozone and Particle Pollution | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily AQI Color | Levels of Concern | Values of Index | Description of Air Quality |
| Green | Good | 0 to 50 | Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Purple | Very Unhealthy | 201 to 300 | Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. |
| Maroon | Hazardous | 301 and higher | Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. |
Ground-Level Ozone
When ground-level ozone is elevated, it is typically worse in the afternoon and early evening. This is because ozone forms in sunlight typically on hotter days. Ozone can impact healthy adults and those with underlying health conditions. To avoid the harmful effects you can move inside and plan outdoor activities when the ozone level is lower, typically in the morning.
Particle Pollutants
When particulate matter is elevated, as is the case with wildfires there are steps you can take to protect yourself and others including limiting time outdoors and using a KN95 mask.
Guidance on AQI and KN95s
As per Article 19, Section 10 of the latest AFSCME MOU, supervisors and managers are required to make KN95 masks available to employees working outdoors within a Code Orange geographic area. On Code Red (or higher) alert days, outdoor activities should be moved indoors whenever possible, staff time outdoors should be limited, and KN95 masks must be made available to employees working outdoors.
Therefore, when levels reach Code Orange or higher, departments should be prepared to have KN95 masks in stock for those individuals who may choose to wear one.
It is important to keep in mind that masks have limitations and must be worn correctly. Always follow manufacturer instructions for their use, maintenance, cleaning and care, as well as any warnings regarding the mask’s limitations.
ESSR can help you with any questions you may have. Reach out to askESSR@umd.edu if you need additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a KN95?
KN95 masks filter out at least 95% of particles down to 3 microns. While a KN95 mask may be effective for particle related AQI Alerts, KN95 will not be effective for other pollutant gases (e.g., ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide).
Will a KN95 be effective against ozone?
No. KN95 masks are not designed to protect against ozone gas. Ozone is a gas. KN95 masks filter out particulate matter (like dust, allergens, bacteria, and viruses), but they do not protect against gases or vapors.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) considers ozone along with particulate matter to determine air quality, but a KN95 mask will only address the particulate component.
How do I properly wear a KN95?
- Place the mask over your face, with the bottom below your chin and the nosepiece up.
- Place the straps of the mask over each of your ears.
- Adjust the metal nose clip using fingers from both hands to mold the clip to the shape of your nose
- Adjust fit as necessary to reduce air flow around the mask.
Certain types of facial hair, like beards, can make mask fitting difficult. Masks that fit well protect you better. To have a better fit, people with beards can shave their beards or trim their beards close to their face. - If you wear glasses and find fogging to be a nuisance, wash the lenses with soapy water and shake off the excess before putting on your mask (wipe off nose piece to minimize skin irritation).
When should I discard my KN95?
You should replace your KN95 when it:
- Becomes soiled
- No longer covers the nose and mouth
- Has stretched out or damaged ties or straps
- Cannot stay on the face
- Has holes or tears in the fabric
- A KN95 may be disposed of in normal trash.
How do I obtain KN95s?
Departments maintain their own supply of KN95s.
KN95s are available on Shell Shop. Be sure to procure “KN95s”; these are different from an N95.
Reach out to askESSR@umd.edu if you need information on how you can procure KN95s.
Do unused K95 masks expire?
KN95 masks usually include manufacture dates and typically have a shelf-life from 2 to 3 years. This can be impacted by how you store them; for example, high heat and humidity exposure may degrade them faster than storage in moderate temperatures.
When ordering KN95s, what should I look for?
All KN95 masks should always have the words “KN95” and the standard “GB 2626-2019” clearly stamped on the masks. GB 2626-2019 is a performance standard to certify that the KN95 mask has the required efficiency of the filtration of the respirator or cartridge.