Air Quality Flags

Montana Air Quality Education Flag Program

In 2021, MTHPHC began partnering with the Montana Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics and the Region VIII Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit to increase implementation of the EPA Air Quality Flag Program into MT schools and organizations. Exposure to air pollution is linked to increased frequency of asthma attacks, other respiratory conditions, and hospitalizations. Read more at Air Pollution: Current and Future Challenges.
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 guide decisions about outdoor activities to reduce exposure to air pollution and keep children safe. Read more at EPA’s Air Quality Flag Program Webpage.
After a year of outreach, the Flag Program has been adopted by 51 entities across Montana; including 27 schools/school districts, 11 health clinics, 5 non-profits, 1 library, and 1 fire department. Of locations that have adopted the program 28 of the 51 have 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 1,000 individuals have received a formal presentation about the flag program and the impact of climate change on human health.
Through this project, we've had valuable conversations in communities across Montana about air pollution and health. It's clear that Montanans care about this effect of our changing climate. With the flag program we are able to enhance awareness of the causes and effects of air pollution on human health in a state that will continue to be heavily impacted by unhealthy air quality.

Interested in bringing the Flag Program to your community? Contact us! We can provide information, flags and educational materials.

If you know a great school nurse or science teacher or other staff member at any school in Montana that might be interested, please let us know at info@montanahphc.org or 406-763-1006. If you know if a church, non-profit, or business that might be interested, let us know that too!