This guide provides ways to protect your health when particle pollution reaches unhealthy levels.

This guide provides ways to keep children active while protecting their health when air pollution reaches unhealthy levels.

This guide provides ways to protect your health when ozone pollution reaches unhealthy levels.

This short, colorful pamphlet tells who is at risk from exposure to particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), what health effects may be caused by particles, and simple measures that can be taken to reduce health risk.

This 8-page booklet provides more detailed information than "Ozone and Your Health" about ozone health effects and how to avoid them

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.

Ozone, the main ingredient of smog, presents a serious air quality problem in many parts of the United States. Even at low levels, ozone can cause health effects. You can take simple steps, described in this pamphlet, to protect your health from ozone.

How AirNow Works: The Air Quality Index and You. Download the poster. 

Ground level ozone, a harmful air pollutant, is formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight.

Learn how ozone is formed

Ozone is a gas that occurs both in the Earth's upper atmosphere and at ground level. Ozone can be "good" or "bad" for your health and the environment, depending on its location in the atmosphere.

Airborne particles, the main ingredient of haze, smoke, and airborne dust, present serious air quality problems in many areas of the United States. This particle pollution can occur year-round and it can cause a number of serious health problems, even at concentrations found in many major cities.

Young students can color this scene from the book, Why is Coco Orange?

What Color is Your Air Today?- Color the flag to match the sentence.

What Color is Your Air Today?  Complete the sentence and color the flag.

Identify sources of air pollution and compare air samples.

What Color is Your Air Today?  Compete each sentence and draw a line from each flag to the correct statement.

 List how we know air pollution is present and some of their characteristics.

Collect and analyze particulate matter in test areas around the school.

Discuss air quality issues involving tropospheric and stratospheric ozone and perform an experiment showing the effects of ozone on certain materials.

Identify sources of particle pollution, learn about associated health issues, and identify ways to reduce particle pollution.

What air pollutants do we contribute to the air daily, and how can we reduce our contribution?

Add a message during your school announcements to talk about the AQI for the day.

Without thinking about it, we breathe air all day and all night long. So it’s easy to take air for granted. This lesson will remind you that clean air is one of our greatest natural resources – one on which our lives depend.

Download this file to use on your school screens to virtually display the daily air quality forecast

Customize this flyer/poster template to share information with your community about air quality, how it can affect health, and actions to take on a bad air quality day.

The flag program is summarized in one page.

A one-pager outlining the four steps needed to start a flag program.

A step-by-step guide to starting and maintaining the Air Quality Flag Program.

Follow these guidelines to properly fly your flags.

Celebrate the Air Quality Flag Program at your school, business, or organization!

Use this template to invite organizations to join the Air Quality Flag Program.

Customize this template to share with the local press when you have a flag event!

Use this to request flag funds from your school's parent teacher organization.

Use this sample email as a guideline for communicating with your staff and community about the Flag Program.

Schools that adopt the Air Quality Flag Program can send this letter to the parents to explain the program and what the flags mean.

PowerPoint slides that cover the Air Quality Flag Program.

This table shows when and how to modify outdoor physical activity based on the Air Quality Index. This guidance can help protect the health of all children, including teenagers, who are more sensitive than adults to air pollution.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

Air Quality Flag Program Newsletters: if you missed a newsletter, want to reread it or pass it on to someone else.

A quick overview about the Air Quality Flag Program

Describes the air quality index and actions to take.

Print out this color image to use on folders.

Use this banner (30" x 80" low resolution) when you talk about your flag program!

This poster is specifically for use in schools.

Bookmark to use for promotional purposes. 

This infographic explains the Flag Program.

Share air quality flag information in your community.

This booklet explains EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) and the health effects of major air pollutants.

Air Quality Index Reporting; Final Rule This Federal Register notice provides EPA's rationale for the 1999 revisions to the Air Quality Index used by States for daily reporting to the general public in accordance with section 319 of the Clean Air Act.

08/4/1999

This guide provides you with information about ways to protect your health when nitrogen dioxide levels reach the unhealthy range, and ways you can help reduce nitrogen dioxide air pollution.

02/2011

This guide provides you with information about ways to protect your health when ozone levels reach the unhealthy range, and ways you can help reduce ozone air pollution.

This guide provides you with information about ways to protect your health when particle pollution levels reach the unhealthy range, and ways you can help reduce particle air pollution.

This guidance is designed to aid local agencies in reporting the air quality using the AQI as required in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). For more information contact David Mintz at (mintz.david@epa.gov).
Updated May 2024

This brochure explains how to use the Air Quality Index, and how high levels of ozone and particle matter can affect your health. Learn where this pollution comes from and what you can do to protect yourself when air quality is poor.

02/2007

This guidance can help protect the health of all children, including teenagers, who are more sensitive than adults to air pollution.

08/2014

This fact sheet is designed to answer questions about how people with asthma can be affected by air pollution and how they can use the Air Quality Index to reduce their exposure.

The purpose of this fact sheet is to increase awareness that air pollution can trigger heart attacks, stroke, and other health effects.  It also provides information about steps to take to protect your health – including using the Air Quality Index to reduce exposure. It includes information about risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and lists the warning signs of heart attack and stroke.

This document is a collection of evidence-based information presented and discussed at the virtual Children’s Health and Wildfire Smoke Workshop for Public Health Officials held in May 2021.

Disclaimer: The ideas expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the various agencies and organizations who participated in the work group meetings or the creation of this document.

This document is a collection of evidence-based information presented and discussed at the virtual Children’s Health and Wildfire Smoke Workshop for Public Health Officials held in May 2021.

Disclaimer: The ideas expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the various agencies and organizations who participated in the work group meetings or the creation of this document.

Things to do for Earth Day

Air Quality Crossword Puzzle for Earth Day

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit  introductory letter

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Recruit Notice and Application 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Information Letter to Participants

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Pre and Post Test

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Homework Assignment (Optional)

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Workshop Evaluation

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Workshop Certificate

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Thank You Letter to Participants

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Notebook Cover Page

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Workshop One Day Agenda

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Workshop Two Day Agenda

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes What’s Your A.Q.I.Q?/Ice Breaker

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Properties of Air

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Air Is All Around Us (3-5)

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Meet the Dirty Half Dozen (3-5)

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes The Dirty Half Dozen (6-8) 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Unhappy About HAPs (9-12)

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Field-Testing for Ozone (9-12)

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Ozone-Double Trouble (9-12) 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes “Hole”-Y Ozone! It’s the CFC’s! (6-8) 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Ozone – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (3-5) 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes A Bird’s Eye View (K-2) 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes What’s Up There Besides Air? (3-5)

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Air Strips (6-8) 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Consider the Source (9-12) 

 Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Don’t Take a “Lichen” for Pollution (6-8) 

  Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Let’s Sock Car Exhaust! (6-8) 

  Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes As I Live and Breathe 

  Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Easy Breathers (K-12) 

  Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Calculating Your Carbon Footprint 

  Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Air Inversion 

  Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Trash Talk 

 Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes  Lung Capacity 

 Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes  Energy Conservation 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes  Whirling, Swirling Air Pollution 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes AirNow: Real Time Air Quality 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes AirNow Website for Teachers

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Managing Air Quality in the U.S.

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Carbon Footprints & Sustainable Solutions

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes History of the US EPA Toolkit 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes How Air Pollution Is Affecting Our Health

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Air Quality Resources 

Air Quality Workshop for Teachers Toolkit includes Acknowledgment: Air & Waste Management Association

Reduce health risks in areas with wildfire smoke. Especially if you have family members with heart or breathing problems, or are older adults, children, or pregnant women.

June 2018

Household use of portable air cleaners has increased in the face of recent wildland fire activity and in response to COVID-19. Some local agencies have begun recommending Do-It-Yourself (DIY) air cleaners (i.e., furnace air filter attached to electric box fans) during smoke events as DIYs offer an affordable and accessible alternative to commercially available air cleaners, which frequently sell out during smoke events. However, there are concerns regarding the safety of DIY air cleaners as these consumer fans are not being used as intended by the manufacturers and have not been evaluated by safety certification processes.

Masks and respiratory protective devices may protect the wearer to varying degrees from exposure to potentially infectious droplets, and these devices have varying degrees of protection. These devices can be classified into three categories: (1) respirators (e.g., those that are NIOSH-approved respirators or authorized for emergency use); (2) masks intended for medical purposes (e.g., FDA-cleared surgical masks including those labeled as procedure masks); and (3)masks intended for a non-medical purpose.

There is increased interest in the performance of respirators against fine particles such as nanoparticles (natural and engineered) and bioaerosol articles (e.g. viruses and bacteria). Although the effect of particle size on the performance of respirators has been studied in the laboratory using manikins, only a few studies have been conducted with human subjects.

Chinese Simplified Palm Card - Front and Back

Chinese Traditional Palm Card - Front and Back

Palm Card English - Front and Back

Palm Card Korean - Front and Back

Palm Card Spanish - Front and Back

Palm Card Tagalog - Front and Back

Palm Card Vietnamese - Front and Back

This fact sheet is designed to answer questions about how people with asthma can be affected by air pollution and how they can use the Air Quality Index to reduce their exposure.

The purpose of this fact sheet is to increase awareness that air pollution can trigger heart attacks, stroke, and other health effects.  It also provides information about steps to take to protect your health – including using the Air Quality Index to reduce exposure. It includes information about risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and lists the warning signs of heart attack and stroke.

This colorful poster is designed for use in patient waiting areas or exam rooms. Use this poster to educate your patients about the health effects of outdoor air pollution on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

This colorful poster is designed for use in patient waiting areas or exam rooms. Use this poster to educate your patients about the health effects of outdoor air pollution on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

18" x 24" Printable Version

Promotional Palm Card for the Smoke Wildfire Course

Learn about the health effects of wildfire smoke.

Phil Dickerson, AirNow Program Director (EPA/OAQPS)

John E. White, AirNow Program Manager (EPA/OAQPS)

John E. White, AirNow Program Manager (EPA/OAQPS)

Marcus Hylton (Sonoma Technology, Inc.) 

David Mintz, Senior Statistician, Air Quality Analysis Group (EPA/OAQPS)

Phil Dickerson, AirNow Program Director (EPA/OAQPS)

Harold W. (Bill) Kohl, III, Ph.D. Professor of Epidemiology and Kinesiology University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living University of Texas at Austin, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education

Wayne Cascio (EPA/ORD)

Lourdes Morales and John E. White, US EPA

International Plenary NAQC 2018

January 24, 2018

Caroline D’Angelo, Sustainability Advisor (U.S. Department of State)

Barry Lefer Tropospheric Composition Program Earth Sciences Division NASA Headquarters

Alan Chan, Marcus Hylton, and Michael Haderman Sonoma Technology, Inc. Petaluma, CA

Mikko Laakso (Vaisala Oyj) and Lasse Johansson (Finnish Meteorological Institute)

Brian Holland, Tiffany Stefanescu, Qiguo Jing, Weiping Dai

Doug Boyer and Weining Zhao (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)

John E. White and Phil Dickerson (EPA/OAQPS), Marcus Hylton and Alan Chan (Sonoma Technology, Inc.)

Steve Irwin (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)

Sikchya Upadhayay (NOAA)

Marcus Hylton (Sonoma Technology, Inc.)

Ben Gibson (EPA/OAQPS)

Cara Keslar (Wyoming DEQ)

Anna Mebust (EPA/ Region 9)

Julie Hunter (Washoe County Health District AQMD)

Ted Steichen (American Petroleum Institute)

Alexandria Herdt (Wyoming DEQ)

Lindsey Jones (Texas CEQ)

Sabine Lange (Texas CEQ)

Kristen Benedict (EPA/OAQPS)

Jessa Ellenburg (2B Technologies)

Wayne Cascio (EPA/ORD)

Mindy Mize (North Central Texas Council of Governments -Dallas-Fort Worth Area), Sharon Lewis (City of Corpus Christi), Anton Cox (Capital Area Council of Governments -Austin-Round Rock Area), Lily Lowder (Alamo Area Council of Governments - San Antonio-New Braunfels Area)

Lisa Baxter (EPA/ORD)

Ana Rappold (EPA/ORD)

Wayne Cascio (EPA/ORD)

Joe Ziestman (Texas A&M Transportation Institute)

Arthur Zuco (EPA/OAQPS)

Alexandra Catena (DC Department of Energy and Environment)

Mae Escobar (aMAEzing LLC)

Larry Brockman (EPA/OAQPS)

Amy K. Huff (Pennsylvania State University)

John E White (EPA/OAQPS)

Brooke White and Dan Sheehan (Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission)

Kelly Poole (ECOS)

Janice Lam Snyder (Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD)

Kelly Poole (ECOS)

Luz Gomez (Bay Area AQMD)

Ashley Denise Bruce (Fayetteville Metro Area Air Quality Stakeholders)

Eric Winegar (Exponent, Inc.)

Pete Lahm (U.S. Forest Service)

Scott Damon (CDC)

Ranil Dhammapala (Washington Department of Ecology)

Andrea Boyer (Nez Perce Tribe)

Karin Tuxen-Bettman, Program Manager (Google)

Andrea Polidori, Atmospheric Measurements Manager (South Coast AQMD)

Kristen Benedict, Air Sensors Team Lead (EPA/OAQPS

Hilary Hafner (Sonoma Technology, Inc.)

Kevin Brundage and Victoria Wasem (ATTAIN)

Amy K. Huff (Pennsylvania State University)

Daniel Alrick (Bay Area AQMD)

Daniel Dix (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)

Jamie Arno, (Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD)

This publication is available in multiple languages on the National Service Center for Environmental Publications site.

Information for Older Adults and their Caregivers

This publication is available in multiple languages on the National Service Center for Environmental Publications site.

Information for Older Adults and their Family Caregivers

This publication is available in multiple languages on the National Service Center for Environmental Publications site.

Information for Older Adults and their Caregivers

Coco has a problem. He’s a chameleon, but he can’t change colors, and his asthma is acting up. Read how Coco and his friends at Lizard Lick Elementary solve this mystery as they learn about air quality and how to stay healthy when the air quality is bad. This book is for all children, especially those with asthma, and their caretakers. Ages 4-8.

This one page document describes the picture book's plot and where to find it online.

In this sequel, Coco and his friends solve a mystery as they learn about wildfire smoke and air quality.

可可和他的朋友们通过了解空气质量解开了这个谜团。

可可和朋友們在學習空氣品質相關知識的同時，解開了這個謎團。

코코와 친구들은 공기질에 대해 배우면서 이 궁금증을 풀어냅니다.

Inalam nina Coco at ng mga kaibigan niya ang sagot sa misteryong ito habang natututo sila tungkol sa kalidad ng hangin.

Coco và những người bạn của mình cùng khám phá bí ẩn này khi tìm hiểu về chất lượng không khí.

Be ready to reduce your smoke exposure before fire season.

January 2018

en español

Learn how to reduce your smoke exposure, both indoors and outdoors, on smoky days.

July 2018

en español

Learn who is at greater risk from smoke.

January 2024 

Learn how to protect children from wildfire smoke and ash.

January 2024

Learn the most effective ways to keep smoke and ash from getting into your lungs.

December 2021

en español

Learn how to create a clean room in your home.

February 2022

en español

Learn ways to filter smoke from your indoor air.

February 2022

en español

Learn ways to cope with the stress of wildfire smoke exposure.

March 2023

Learn how to protect yourself from smoke and extreme heat.

What to consider when choosing a low-cost air quality sensor and how to interpret the air sensor data to reduce your smoke exposure.

August 2023

Learn how to protect your pets from wildfire smoke.

March 2019

en español

Learn how to protect your large animals and livestock from wildfire smoke.

March 2019

en español

Learn how to protect yourself from ash due to wildfires.

July 2018

en español

This document, originally developed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), is designed to help local public health officials prepare for smoke events, to take measures to protect the public when smoke is present, and communicate with the public about wildfire smoke and health.

Wildfire Smoke Guide In Sections - Forward

Wildfire Smoke Guide In Sections - Chapters 1-3

Wildfire Smoke Guide In Sections - Chapters 4-5

Wildfire Smoke Guide In Sections - References and Appendices

2021 Changes to Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials

A statement by the Wildland Fire Leadership Council and their partners relating to the benefits of prescribed fire programs.

Presentation by Jan Cortelyou-Lee

Search for Clean Air segment

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