Reduce Exposure to Unhealthy Air in the Imperial Valley, California near the U.S.-Mexico Border

Details

Capability: Community Engagement and Health Education

Subcapability: Cross-Cultural Environmental Research

Project Timeline: 2/1/2010 - 7/29/2011

The Sequoia Foundation partnered with the California Department of Public Health to reduce exposures to unhealthy air by educating schools and the greater community about the health effects of poor air quality and how to limit exposure. Sequoia worked with institutions that serve children and other populations disproportionately impacted by unhealthy air to initiate programs and sustainable institutional policies to reduce exposure on bad air quality days.  Sequoia utilized the American Lungs Association's (ALA) Flag Program to assist schools address bad air quality days. Each day, participating schools post a colored flag that corresponds to the colors used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air quality index. Sequoia provided an indoor activity curriculum to ensure that students participate in physical activity, even on poor air days.