School Flag Program Notifies Community on Air Quality

EPA's School Flag Program helps spread air quality awareness to the community. Daily air quality conditions are color coded to match levels to the Air Quality Index, and depending on which color flag is flying, the community knows the level of air pollution for that day. Here are the colors and the air quality they represent:

• green: good air quality;
• yellow:  moderate;
• orange: unhealthy for sensitive groups (e.g., children and those with asthma);
• red: unhealthy for everyone;
• purple: air quality is very unhealthy and sensitive groups should avoid outdoor exertion, and everyone else should limit outdoor exertion.

The School Flag Program website provides a fact sheet, information on how to order flags and additional resources for schools, teachers and students.