&EPA
I Air Quality Flag
PROGRAM
The Air Quality Flag Program and Older Adults
Why should older adults care about air pollution?
As people get older, their bodies are less able to compensate for the effects of
environmental hazards. Air pollution, like ozone, particle pollution (PM), and especially
fine particle pollution (PM2.5), is most likely to affect the health of older adults.
Fine particle pollution has been linked to premature death,
cardiac arrhythmias and heart attacks, asthma attacks, and
the development of chronic bronchitis. Ozone, even at low
levels, can aggravate respiratory diseases. This leads to
increased use of medication, more visits to health care
providers, admissions to emergency rooms and hospitals, and
even death.
What can you do to reduce your exposure to air pollution?
•	Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) at www.airnow.gov. The AQI reports how clean
the air is and whether it can affect your health.
•	Use the air quality activity guidelines* to find out what outdoor activities are best
for you based on the current and forecasted air quality. When the AQI is
unhealthy, for example, you may want to take more rest breaks, or walk instead
of jog.
•	Ask a local organization, such as your senior center, library, fire station or
museum, to start an Air Quality Flag Program.
What is the Air Quality Flag Program?
Air Quality Flag Program participants raise a flag that
corresponds to the AQI forecast, which alerts the community to
the potential for unhealthy air. The color of the flag matches
EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI): green, yellow, orange, red, and
purple.
On unhealthy days, you can adjust physical activities to help
reduce exposure to air pollution while still keeping active.
Remember, air quality changes like the weather, so check your
AQI before making plans. Go to www.airnow.gov/flag for more
information. The air quality flags are a daily reminder to be
aware of your air!
* https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=flag_program.outdoorguid
EPA-456/F-17-003
March 2017

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