Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Air Quality Awareness and the School Flag Program 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? Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups ModerateGoodUnhealthy Very Unhealthy 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)

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Air Quality Index (AQI) Colors Air Quality Index (AQI) Values Levels of Health Concern Colors When the AQI is in this range:...air quality conditions are:...as symbolized by this color: 0 to 50GoodGreen 51 to 100ModerateYellow 101 to 150Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Orange 151 to 200UnhealthyRed 201 to 300Very UnhealthyPurple 301 to 500HazardousMaroon

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection School Flag Program Website 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 . Free and easy to subscribe Download the free AirNow app available at 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 s 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: Online curricula Interactive games Air quality simulator Children’s picture book AirNow Learning Center Free through the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Contacts Donna Rogers US EPA School Flag Program (919) Slide information courtesy of Donna Rogers, US EPA & AIRNOW Michele Chaffee State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (860)

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Slide Information and Photos courtesy of: US EPA NASA CTDEEP CTDPH CDC