If you’re driving along West Innes Street past the Hedrick Administration Building at Catawba College, you’ll notice four flags being flown in front of the building – the U.S. Flag, the N.C. State Flag, the Catawba College Flag, and one of five various colored Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality flags. As the weather heats up and the pollen and pollutants increase in the area, those on Catawba’s campus and passersby can determine the Air Quality Index (AQI) for the day simply by noting the color of the flag being displayed beneath the Catawba College Flag.
The flag color corresponds to the expected level of air pollution for the day. By comparing the colored flags to the AQI, everyone who sees the flags will know what actions to take to protect their health. Green signals good air quality, yellow is moderate, orange means unhealthy for sensitive groups (like children and people with asthma), and red signals unhealthy air for everyone. A purple flag means the air quality is very unhealthy and sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor exertion while everyone else should limit outdoor exertion.
Last fall, Catawba College became North Carolina’s first college to participate in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Flag Program. The College continues on a daily basis to raise one of five various colored EPA flags to help members of its campus community and the Salisbury-Rowan community at large be aware of each day’s air quality conditions. Catawba’s Public Safety Office has taken the lead on the campus implementation of the EPA Air Quality Flag program by both monitoring daily air quality alerts and then raising the appropriate air quality flags.
Local air quality can affect daily lives and it can change from day to day, season to season, and can even vary depending on the time of day. The AQI provides information about the health effects of common air pollutants, and how to avoid those effects. The flags alert people to that particular day’s air quality forecast, and then they can check the current air quality at www.airnow.gov so they know when to modify their outdoor activities, like exercising for less time or moving exercise indoors when necessary.
The EPA also provides a way, in addition to the Air Quality Flag program, for obtaining up-to-date air quality information. Those interested may subscribe at www.enviroflash.info to get the daily air quality forecast by email, or can download the AirNow app to get air quality on their cell phone. This is especially helpful for those who are sensitive to the effects of air pollution, such as children, adults who are active outdoors, people with heart and lung disease, and older adults.
For more information on the Air Quality Flag Program visit EPA’s AirNow website at www.airnow.gov/flag.
