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
Equivalent exposure
0.16
cigarettes for this scenario
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 actual calculator lets you plug in the current reading and duration to see the dose change in real time.