PHOENIX (Nov. 19, 2024) — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today the launch of its enhanced Air Quality Flag Program, encouraging more organizations to join the program to help raise awareness about air quality in their communities. For more than a decade, ADEQ has been working with communities across the state to educate and empower local communities with knowledge and tools to understand their air quality, recognize health impacts, and take action to protect themselves and their loved ones. First launched in 2007, this important initiative is now getting an upgrade, including new digital flag options and refocusing on schools and organizations in areas that are not meeting, or are close to not meeting, health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standards the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set to protect public health and the environment. These communities must also have forecasts for ozone, PM₁₀ (dust), and PM_2.5 (smoke).

The updated Flag Program uses a simplified, yet powerful, color-coded flag system. Participating organizations receive physical and/or digital flags in green, yellow and orange, which correspond with EPA's Air Quality Index. The flags serve as a visual cue for the community, indicating the day’s air quality based on ADEQ forecasts for ozone, PM₁₀ (dust), and PM_2.5 (smoke). By displaying these flags in prominent locations, participating organizations can keep their communities informed and encourage protective actions. 

“This enhanced program empowers communities to quickly understand air quality conditions and take steps to safeguard residents,” said ADEQ Air Quality Division Director Daniel Czecholinsk. “By providing real-time, visual cues, we are helping Arizonans proactively address air quality issues.”

This program is especially important for older adults and children, including teens, and those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses, who are at greater risk of experiencing health issues from air pollution.

The results of the program speak for themselves. Jamie Miller, the school nurse at Legend Springs Elementary School in Glendale, which has been participating in the Air Quality Flag Program since 2017, has seen a noticeable drop in nurse office visits from students struggling with asthma and other respiratory conditions. 

“Our asthmatics are almost protected and safer now,” Nurse Miller said. “We can make those adjustments to their daily routine so they can still participate but in a very safe way.”

Nurse Miller said parents express excitement over the “healthy and safe learning environment” the Flag Program has helped create. Gone are the concerns about their child being “left behind” or “made fun of.” Now, the focus is on learning about air quality and how students can help one another make safe decisions.

“It’s really neat to see,” Nurse Miller said, encouraging other schools and organizations to join the program, knowing the profound impact it can have.

ADEQ invites schools, government agencies, large businesses, tribes, and non-profit organizations to join the Air Quality Flag Program and help make Arizona a safer place to breathe. For more information about flag colors and to sign up, visit the ADEQ Air Quality Flag Program Website | View >

Additional Resources

• Learn more about the National Ambient Air Quality Standards | View >
• Air Quality Flag Program Video: Chicanos Por La Causa | Watch >

Contacts 

ADEQ Public Information Officer
Ph: 480-979-1600 (cell) 
Email >