Air Quality Flags
The EPA School Flag Program helps communicate daily air quality conditions with colored flags that correspond to the EPA’s Air Quality Index. The Flag Program is an easy way to generate public awareness about outdoor air conditions. On days with poor air quality levels, participating organizations can use this information to reduce exposure to air pollution and keep children safe. Read more at EPA’s Air Quality Flag Program Webpage.
Flags in Montana
We’ve partnered with over 70 organizations across Montana to bring the flags to our state! We’ve partnered with schools, health clinics, non-profits, libraries, and a fire department. Twenty-eight locations also received a Purple Air monitor to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) in their location for accurate air quality readings, which is very significant since there are only 20 permanent air quality monitoring stations throughout the entire state of Montana. Over a thousand people stepped up for to be trained in flying the flags and learn more about the impacts of climate change on human health. Thank you all!
Through this project, we’ve had valuable conversations in communities across Montana about air pollution and health. It’s clear that Montanans care about how smoke impacts their health. Our state will continue to be heavily impacted by unhealthy air quality as wildfires worsen (McWethy et al. 2019), but flying the flags can help us make informed decisions to protect our health and the health of our children.
Interested in bringing the Flag Program to your community? Contact us! We can provide information, flags and educational materials.
This program was made possible with the help of the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Region 8 Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit. We are grateful for their active role in protecting the health of children in Montana.