Petaluma City Schools
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Air Quality Resources
Petaluma City Schools believes that schools are the best place for students to be when air quality is poor as they are well-supervised, can be kept indoors, and are able to continue to learn. This page includes information to help you track air quality and prepare for when air quality is not good.
Current Air Quality in Petaluma
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Keep Track of Air Quality
The following sites track air quality data using professional quality monitors that are regularly maintained, independently audited, and have high standards for quality assurance and quality control.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
AirNow (Environmental Protection Agency)
The County Office of Education uses these official BAAQMD and AirNow sites to track data because they rely on professional quality monitors that are regularly maintained, independently audited, and have high standards for quality assurance and quality control.
When Outdoor Air Quality is Poor
Stay indoors and reduce outdoor activity based upon your area's Air Quality Index. When air quality improves, even temporarily, "air out" buildings and homes to reduce air pollution. Further guidance, recommendations, and information for schools and families can be found below.
Air Quality Guidelines for Schools
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Sonoma County Guidance (updated June 2021) | Spanish
Sensitive Groups
Children with certain medical conditions may be impacted by air quality in the moderate (yellow – 51-100) and unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange – 101-150) levels. Parents/guardians of these children should notify their schools.
Very Unhealthy Air
When air quality dips to very unhealthy levels (purple – 201-300), many schools in Sonoma County will practice the Shelter in Place protocol, which includes keeping all activities indoors, limiting physical activity, and minimizing the opening and closing of doors. Regular classroom instruction continues during Shelter in Place. If AQI hits 250+ a school may consider closing.
Hazardous Air
If air quality becomes hazardous (maroon – 301-500) and schools do not have the ability to keep outdoor air from easily entering the school, then a school may decide to close. Schools make this decision based on their own local factors
Additional Resources
Ventilation FAQs: Smoke Days and COVID-19: Information about how to keep air safe to breathe in classrooms while still observing COVID-19 safety standards.
Guidance Concerning Air Quality: A handy one-sheet document to help you track air quality and prepare your family and school for days when air quality is poor.
School Air Quality Activity Recommendations: This document was developed with content from the California Department of Education, is geared toward schools. However, it provides families with insight into how schools might address differing levels of air quality.
Air Quality Flag Program: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides flags for all of the EPA Air Quality levels as well as information on the types of outdoor activity and exposure that are appropriate for each level. While these resources are aimed at schools, they provide helpful information on activities that are appropriate for each air quality level.
Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled resources to prepare for and respond to wildfires and smoke during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recommended Air Quality Monitoring Websites and Resources
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Air Now's Fire and Smoke Map: This resource from airnow.gov is specifically designed to give communities timely information about fire and smoke in their communities. It is recommended by Sonoma County's air quality districts as the best resource to use to monitor air quality during a smoke event.
Other resources
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