The New Jersey Air Quality Flag Program uses brightly colored flags that correspond to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index to communicate air quality in your community. The flag colors represent how clean or polluted the air is daily.

Who can participate?

Phase one will prioritize public organizations including:

  • Schools
  • Senior centers
  • Summer camps
  • Day care centers
  • Community centers
  • County and municipal governments

Other organizations may be able to take part in later phases of the program. The New Jersey Air Quality Flag Program is for organizations and communities, and not for individuals.

Who is eligible for free flags?

Eligible partners in phase one include:

  • Schools
  • Senior centers
  • Summer camps
  • Day care centers
  • Community centers
  • County and municipal governments

Participants not eligible for free flags may find information for ordering flags under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Eligible participants will receive

  • The air quality flags and other tools
  • Guidance materials  
  • Air quality lessons 
  • Assistance to implement the program 
  • A presentation on air quality  

students holding air quality awareness flags

How to Participate

  • Sign up for NJ Air Quality Flag Program 
    Eligible organizations will receive a set of flags and educational toolkit at no cost. DEP staff will contact you to assist you in implementing the program. 
  • Sign up to Enviroflash
    Each day, Enviroflash will email or text your local air quality forecast. 
  • Display the Flag
    Communicate the outdoor air quality conditions by displaying a brightly colored flag that represents the air quality forecasted for that day. The flag colors used match the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index: green, yellow, orange, red, and purple. 

Air Quality Flag Colors

Green
Green

Air quality is good!

Yellow
Yellow

Air quality is moderate.

Orange
Orange

Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Red
Red

Air quality is unhealthy.

Purple
Purple

Air quality is very unhealthy.

Why is Air Quality Awareness important?

  • We breathe in air every day! Being outside, exercising, playing sports.
  • Air pollutants at certain levels can be harmful to our health.
  • Some populations are particularly vulnerable to unhealthy levels of Ozone and PM2.5 including people with asthma, heart/lung problems, children and teens, and the elderly.
  • When community members know and understand their local air quality forecast, they can reduce their exposure to air pollution.
Are you ready to raise awareness about air quality in your community?

Take Action, Sign Up!

Sign Up

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