Connecticut Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection
Air Quality Awareness and the
School Flag Program
4.20.15
Michele Chaffee
CTDEEP Air Bureau
School Flag Workshop
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Today we’ll talk about…
• Air Quality Awareness and the School
Flag Program
• School Flag Program Operations
• Information on the Air Quality Index
and Pollutants of Concern
• Air quality resources for teachers/staff
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Four Easy Steps to Implement a
School Flag Program
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
What is the School Flag Program?
Schools raise a flag each day
Flag colors are based on the colors of
the AQI (Air Quality Index)
The flag color signals the air quality
forecast for the local area
Recommendations provide guidance on
how to modify outdoor activities when
the air quality is unhealthy
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Purpose of Program
Create public awareness
Protect children’s health
Provide activity guidelines
Increase knowledge of air quality issues
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Four Easy Steps to Get Your Flag Program Started
Purchase flags
Educate and inform the school and the community
Check the daily air quality forecast and fly the corresponding flag
Follow the recommendations for schools for outdoor activities
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
What is the Air Quality Index?
Guide for reporting daily air quality
Indicates how clean or dirty the air is
Identifies health effects
CTDEEP uses Ozone and Particulate Matter for our daily AQI
forecast
Ozone (O3)
Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM 2.5)
Good
Moderate
Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups
Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Air Quality Index (AQI) Colors
Air Quality Index
(AQI) Values
When the AQI
is in this range:
Levels of Health
Concern
...air quality conditions are:
Colors
...as symbolized
by this color:
0 to 50
Good
Green
51 to 100
Moderate
Yellow
101 to 150
Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups
Orange
151 to 200
Unhealthy
Red
201 to 300
Very Unhealthy
Purple
301 to 500
Hazardous
Maroon
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
School Flag Program Website
www.airnow.gov/schoolflag
Fact sheet
Coordinator’s Handbook
Recommendations Chart/Activity Guidelines
Press Release Template
Registration Form
Student Activities
Teacher and student resources
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Know the Air Quality Forecast Each Day…
Subscribe to EnviroFlash: The air quality forecast will be
sent to your email.
Free and easy to subscribe
www.airnow.gov/enviroflash
Download the free AirNow app available at
www.airnow.gov
You can customize the widget to show local
air quality on your locations homepage.
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Flags
Flags can be purchased by the PTA, a local health organization
or business
Cost is approximately $100
Order from local flag vendor or you can find flag vendors online
Set of five flags: green, yellow, orange, red, purple
Use pennant style flags, 5 x 3 ft.
Recommend Plain flags - logos or graphics
can be added, although:
Not easily seen from flag pole
Adds to the cost
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Flag Program Helps Educate and Inform
Educate and inform the teachers and parents
Tell your co-workers about the AQI and flag program
Recruit one or two teachers (or school nurse) to be the Flag
Program Coordinator(s)
Inform the school and surrounding community through:
Newsletters
Emails
Flyers
Local newspaper
Radio station
Word-of-Mouth
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Pollution Sources
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Ground Level Ozone & Particulate Matter
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Some Groups Are More Sensitive to Air Pollution
People with heart or lung disease
Conditions make them vulnerable
Older adults (age 55 and older)
Greater prevalence of heart and lung disease
Children (birth to age 18)
More likely to be active
Breathe more air per pound of body weight
Bodies still developing
People with asthma
Asthma is a serious, chronic respiratory disease that affects
almost 25 million Americans, including an estimated 7 million
children
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Exposure to elevated Ozone & Particulate Matter can:
•
Irritate your respiratory system
•
Reduce lung function
•
Inflame and damage cells that line your lungs
•
Make your lungs more susceptible to infection
•
Aggravate asthma
•
Aggravate other chronic lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic
bronchitis
•
Cause permanent lung damage
•
Particles can aggravate heart or lung diseases (coronary artery disease,
congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
What is Ozone Anyway?
Ozone (03) is made naturally in the atmosphere
when three oxygen atoms join together to form
a colorless gas.
Ozone can have good or bad effects, depending
on where it's located in the atmosphere.
One way to remember this is, "good up high,
bad nearby."
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
What Causes "Bad" Ozone?
“Bad” ozone is found at ground level.
It’s made when emissions from vehicles, power plants, chemical plants, and other
sources react with heat and sunlight.
The hotter the day and the stronger the sun, the more ozone is formed. That's
why ozone is usually worst on windless, hot summer afternoons.
High levels of "bad" ozone or “smog” are more likely in urban areas.
“Transport” can impact other areas with high ozone levels when winds blow
pollution hundreds of miles from their original sources.
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
What is Particle Pollution?
Particle Matter consists of microscopic solids and liquid droplets suspended in air
Particulate matter (PM) components include: acids (such as nitrates and sulfates),
organic chemicals, metals, soil or dust particles, and allergens (such as fragments
of pollen or mold spores).
Particle size is directly linked to potential for causing health problems
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Particle Size Matters
Larger particles (PM10) can irritate your eyes,
nose, and throat (pollen and allergens).
Particles less than 10um in diameter can get deep
into your lungs and your bloodstream affecting
both your lungs and your heart.
“Fine particles" (found in smoke and haze) are 2.5
um in diameter or less
“Coarse particles" (found in wind-blown dust)
have diameters between 2.5 and 10 um
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Every Day Tips to Reduce Pollution

Conserve energy - at home, at work, everywhere.

Look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying home or office equipment.

Carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible.


Follow gasoline refueling instructions for efficient vapor recovery, being
careful not to spill fuel and always tightening your gas cap securely.
Consider purchasing portable gasoline containers labeled “spill-proof,”
where available.

Keep car, boat, and other engines properly tuned.

Be sure your tires are properly inflated.

Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products when possible.

Mulch or compost leaves and yard waste.

Consider using gas logs instead of wood.
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Extra Tips During Elevated AQI Events

Choose a cleaner commute - share a ride to work or use public
transportation.

Combine errands and reduce trips. Walk to errands when possible.

Avoid excessive idling of your automobile.

Refuel your car in the evening when it is cooler.

Conserve electricity and set air conditioners no lower than 78 degrees.

Defer lawn and gardening chores that use gasoline-powered equipment

Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.

Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials.
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Avoiding Unhealthy Exposure to Ozone & PM
Exercise has positive health benefits
Stay Active
Know how to protect your health when the AQI is elevated
Reduce the time you are active outdoors
Schedule activity for the morning or evening when
ozone levels are usually lower; or on days when PM values are lower and don’t
exercise near busy roadways where PM values increase
Substitute a less intense activity. For example, go for a walk instead of a jog
No matter how fit you are, adjusting the duration or level of outdoor activity at times
of unhealthy AQI levels will help protect you from harmful effects
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Summer Camp Awareness Tips
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Air Quality Resources
Resources for teachers are available on the
AirNow.gov website: www.airnow.gov
Online curricula
Interactive games
Air quality simulator
Children’s picture book
AirNow Learning Center
Free through the National Service
Center for Environmental Publications
(NSCEP) www.epa.gov/nscep
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Contacts
Donna Rogers
US EPA School Flag Program
(919) 541-5478
rogers.donna@epa.gov
Slide information courtesy of Donna Rogers, US EPA & AIRNOW
Michele Chaffee
State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental
Protection
(860) 418-5925
michele.chaffee@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
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Slide Information and Photos courtesy of:
US EPA
NASA
CTDEEP
CTDPH
CDC
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection