Scenario Guide
Commute exposure planner
Commuting often combines traffic corridors, waiting outdoors, and repeated exposure that stacks up across the week.
Decision question: Do I need a mask, a route change, or a different travel time for today's trip?
Default AQI check
110
Exposure window
2h
Berkeley Earth comparison
0.15
rough population-level health-impact equivalent
Practical checklist
Check the reading before leaving and again before the return trip.
Prefer shorter walks beside major roads when AQI is elevated.
Keep a well-fitted N95 in your bag for transit platforms or smoky conditions.
If the commute is optional, combine errands and reduce total time outside.
What to watch for
- Morning inversion that traps pollution near roads.
- Wildfire smoke plumes that make afternoon and evening trips worse.
- Symptoms after repeated weekday exposure, not just one bad trip.
Why this scenario page matters
AQI becomes more useful when it changes a specific plan. This page gives you a reusable starting point, but the calculator lets you plug in the current reading and duration to compare the model’s rough health-impact estimate in real time.