When the local air quality is poor, the RBAC will continually evaluate the air quality to determine operations. The decision to cancel programs and/or close the facility may also be affected by many factors, such as nearby fires, predicted fire spread, daily temperatures, weather patterns, wind, etc.
The following guidelines will be used to determine operational adjustments:
Monitoring Resource Sensor: In order to determine air quality, Purpleair.com will be used. The monitoring sensor for the RBAC is mounted on the top of the scoreboard at the north end of the Competition Pool.
Closing Threshold: If the AQI readings read over 200 (Very Unhealthy), the facility will be closed. The closure duration is dependent on many factors and will be handled situationally. The Very Unhealthy category is defined as: “Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.”
Potential Program Adjustments: Some programs use an AQI reading of 150 (Unhealthy) or higher as the threshold at which to cancel programming. The Unhealthy category is defined as: “Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.”
If a closure is necessary, communications will be sent via email, social media and will be posted on the website.
Current Air Quality Index (Current AQI). The method used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) is to report air quality on a real-time basis.
The current AQI is divided into six categories as shown in the table below, adapted from Table 2 of Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 58, Appendix G.
Air Quality Index (AQI) Category for PM2.5 Levels of Health Concern
0 to 50 Good
51 to 100 Moderate
101 to 150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
151 to 200 Unhealthy
201 to 300 Very Unhealthy
301 to 500 Hazardous