From: Aida Giglio, VP Human Resources
Paul Rafac, EVP Finance & CFO
Date: June 29, 2023
Subj: Air Quality – Monitoring and Guidelines

With respect to recent air quality concerns, this provides information on actions the Garden is taking as
well as guidelines for staff and volunteers.
The Garden will monitor air quality for all Garden sites daily per AirNow airnow.gov, a partnership of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National
Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control, and tribal, state, and local air quality agencies.
AirNow reports air quality using the official U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI), a color-coded index designed to
communicate whether air quality is healthy or unhealthy for you. You may find AirNow’s Air Quality Guide
here. Based on this, the guidelines below will be in effect for Garden staff when the AQI is 151 or higher.
AQI 151-200 (RED)
• Outdoor activity should be kept light, and work intensity reduced. People should go indoors if
they have symptoms.
• A paid 15-minute indoor break is encouraged every 2 hours for staff that work outdoors. To
clarify, the 15 minutes will be indoors and does not include the time it takes to reach the indoor
facility.
• We encourage employees to eat their lunch indoors (the atrium of the Science Center will be
made available).
.
AQI 201-300 (PURPLE)
• Outdoor activity should be limited, and people should go indoors if they have symptoms.
• A paid 15-minute break will be required every hour for staff that work outdoors. To clarify, the
15 minutes will be indoors and does not include the time it takes to reach the indoor facility.
• We encourage employees eat their lunch indoors (the atrium of the Science Center will be made
available).
AQI 301+ (MAROON)
• The Garden will close to the public and an emergency closing will be called.
• Employees who are required to work (e.g., Security) will be paid per emergency closing pay
guidelines. This does not apply to those who can work from home.
On days when the AQI is 151 or above, the Garden will communicate the day’s guidelines via Everbridge.
Staff and volunteers will continue to be offered NIOSH N-95 masks during times when air quality is
compromised.

Questions, please reach out to Aida Giglio.