Mothers & Others for Clean Air

Outdoor air pollution is a known asthma trigger and also may contribute to asthma onset. Since 2007, Mothers & Others for Clean Air (M&O) has led a task force of air quality scientists, pediatrcians, nurses and air pollution epidemiologists that has developed tools to help child caregivers reduce childrens' exposure to air pollution. The task force developed clear guidelines about outdoor air quality and physical activity that have been implemented by public and independent schools, childcare providers, summer canp providers and families throughout metro Atlanta and Macon, Georgia-- areas failing federal air quality standards. In 2010 M&O made the Protecting Children from Air Pollution tools more visible by offering an Air Quality Index (AQI) flag program to childcare centers, schools and recreation centers in which bright flags communicate daily air quality to the community. School nurses, principals and teachers concerned about high
rates of asthma among students and faculty have welcomed M&O's guidelines and the flag
program as a way to ensure all staff, as well as parents who see the
flag when dropping off their children, are aware when air pollution
concentrations are high. Flying a flag that corresponds to the day’s air
quality index—green, yellow, orange or red—makes air quality forecasts
highly visible to the school community, including parents, faculty,
staff and children. In addition, the flags are flown daily, in contrast
to the smog alert system that only comes into play if the air is
unhealthy. As a result, while taking precautions when the flag is orange
or red, teachers and coaches can celebrate green days and use the green flag as a visual cue to get active outdoors when air quality is good.