Dear staff, students, and faculty,
UC Berkeley has been monitoring the air quality impacting the campus. Unfortunately, the air quality index (AQI) has exceeded 150, a level that is considered unhealthy. We encourage everyone to stay indoors to the extent possible.
For information on potential health impacts, protective actions and other resources, please visit our Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality resource page.
While the campus is closed today, some employees are at work and those who work outdoors and in buildings without filtration systems, which help improve indoor air quality, may voluntarily use N-95 respirators (masks). Today, EH&S is handing out N-95s in the lobby of University Hall, until 5 PM or until the AQI drops below 150. The lobby is accessed at the corner of University Ave and Oxford St.
For employees who must work after 5 p.m. in buildings without filtration or in outdoor areas, supervisors are asked to survey their staff and proactively pick up N-95s for them.
For students, University Health Services (UHS) has a limited supply of N-95 respirators for use in emergencies including but not limited to wildfires, which are reserved for those most in need. Students with asthma and other underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk of adverse effects and who are experiencing symptoms related to air quality can be assessed, treated, and receive respirators at UHS. Please see the Air Quality Resource page for updated information.
Please remember: the only way to completely avoid potential health risks from both chemicals and particulates found in smoke is to avoid exposure. Stay indoors if you can, and if must be active outside in smoky areas, take steps to limit your time and level of activity outdoors. While N-95 masks provide limited particulate filtration and comfort for those sensitive to the smoke, they do not filter harmful chemicals found in smoke and are proven to provide protection only if individually fitted by a trained technician.
For more information on campus actions and protocols based on AQI, please refer to the recent Cal Message on Preparing for Wildfire Smoke
If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor or EH&S at ehs@berkeley.edu
Thank you for your cooperation.
Patrick Goff, Executive Director
Environment, Health and Safety
Anna Harte, Medical Director
University Health Services
Alicia Johnson, Director
Office of Emergency Management
This message was sent to faculty, staff and students on the UC Berkeley campus.
If you are a manager who supervises UC Berkeley employees without email access, please circulate this information to all.
