Overview of the Broward Air Quality Index (AQI) School Flag Program
The Broward AQI School Flag Program is a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Broward Air Quality Index (AQI) School Flag Program helps children, parents, the community and school
personnel become aware of daily outdoor air quality conditions using brightly colored flags. Each day, a flag is
raised in front of participating schools that signal the level of air pollution for that day. The level of air
pollution is also mentioned during the school’s morning announcements. The flag colors correspond to the
colors used in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index, which tells how clean or polluted
the air is for that day. When members of the school and the surrounding community know what the daily air
quality is, they can adjust their activities to reduce their exposure to air pollution. Regular physical activity – at
least 60 minutes a day – promotes health and fitness. The purpose of the school flag program is to help
children continue to exercise while protecting their health when the air quality is unhealthy.
Each day, participating schools raise a colored flag that corresponds to the local air quality forecast:
 Green flag – good air quality
 Yellow flag – moderate air quality
 Orange flag – unhealthy for sensitive groups (including all children and people with asthma)
Note: There is a fourth and fifth color – red and maroon respectively-- used in EPA’s Air Quality Index. They indicate
unhealthy (red) and very unhealthy (maroon) air quality. They are not included in the Broward County AQI School flag
program because these conditions are rare in South Florida. In the event we do experience unhealthy or very unhealthy
air quality, health advisories will be issued from the Pollution Prevention Division (PPD) in the local media.
Air quality can become unhealthy due to pollutants such as ground-level ozone and particle pollution. Ozone is
especially damaging to the lungs of children and those who work and play outside. Particle pollution especially fine particles such as those found in smoke, haze or dust - contains microscopic solids or liquid
droplets that are so small that they can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. Children
(including teenagers) are at greater risk from air pollution because their lungs are still developing and they
breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. People with asthma are also more likely to have
symptoms when pollution is in the air. Children, including those with asthma, can continue to stay active even
when air quality is unhealthy by modifying their activities or, in some cases, moving their activities indoors.
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Schools interested in participating in the Broward AQI School Flag Program can email the Broward County
Pollution Prevention Division (PPD) at airoutreach@broward.org
PPD will select 3 schools each school year to participate in the flag program.
Selection is based up the school’s level of interest, location in Broward County (north, central, south), and
length of school year (standard school year vs year around school year).
Once selected, PPD will register your school on EPA’s school flag website.
EPA will add your school to the online table of participating schools and will send you an official
participation certificate for display.
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PPD will provide the selected schools with all the materials needed to implement the program, including
Green, Yellow and Orange flags, an Air Quality Information Board, and other informational material. All
materials are FREE of charge.
The program will require each participating school to:
 Select a School Flag Program Coordinator (Preferably a science teacher or Health/Physical Education
teacher)
 Have the School Flag Program Coordinator work closely with PPD staff to help establish the program
 Check the air quality each morning via one of the following options:
 Opening the Broward County AQI School Flag Program webpage
 Calling the Broward County Air Quality Index hotline at (954) 519-1280
 Viewing the AirNow website
 Subscribing to EnviroFlash which allows anyone to get the daily air quality forecast sent to your
email, cell phone or Twitter
 Using the Air Now Mobile Application (available on the Android and Apple)
 Receiving notifications from PPD staff when the AQI goes out of the good (green) range.
 Coordinate with their science club or school patrols to hang the corresponding flag that represents that
particular day’s air quality early each morning.
 Include an air quality message about the outdoor air quality during the morning announcements (as a
part of the weather forecast or any other appropriate portion).
 Perform at least two air quality activities from the Air Quality Activity Booklet, provided by PPD, in the
classrooms within the first school year the program is implemented.
 Post the Air Quality Information Board, provided by PPD, either in the school office or some other high
traffic area to educate the students, parents, and other school faculty about the School Flag Program.
Why is participating in the Broward AQI School Flag Program so important?
The School Flag Program creates public awareness of outdoor air quality conditions. Children can continue to
get plenty of physical activity, while still protecting their health from poor air quality. Children (including
teenagers) are at greater risk from air pollution because their lungs are still developing and they breathe more
air per pound of body weight than adults. Children are particularly susceptible to air pollution, which can harm
their lungs and trigger asthma attacks. When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, it is important to
modify outdoor activities which could include shortening exercise or moving exercise indoors when necessary
to protect the health of our students.
Where can I get more information on the Broward AQI School Flag Program?
Visit the Broward County AQI School Flag Program webpage at
www.broward.org/PollutionPrevention/AirQuality/EducationalPrograms/Pages/AQISchoolFlag.aspx