Students breathing easier

Larry Penkava
Staff Writer

ARCHDALE May 14, 2008 03:53 pm

— Children with asthma are getting a breather under a new program in Randolph County Schools. They can know the air quality just by looking at the flagpole.
Beginning May 1, all county public schools began monitoring ozone levels in the air and flying colored flags to designate conditions. The particular color tells if the air quality is good (green) or very unhealthy (purple). In between are yellow, orange and red.
"We're trying to promote good health," said Tember Blevins, school nurse at John Lawrence Elementary in Archdale. "We're hoping the flags will make the children and parents more aware of the air quality."
Blevins said there are about 35 students at John Lawrence alone who suffer from asthma. Looking for ways to help them, she went to a program identifying the triggers of asthmatic attacks and other breathing problems. One of those triggers is high levels of ozone in the air.
"You can tell the difference in kids when the ozone goes up," said Blevins. "This has been my little project, and I've worked to get (the program) started."
She said she talked to Alamance-Burlington Schools, which does ozone monitoring in the elementary and middle schools. "They were a lot of help."
Blevins said that in most of the elementary schools the fifth-graders find out from the Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Daily Forecast what ozone level is predicted for the coming day. The next morning they get the correspondingly colored flag and raise it up the flagpole for all to see.
As part of the program, the ozone level is also provided during morning announcements at the school. Ozone color charts are placed on exit doors.
According to the chart, green indicates good, healthy air and outdoor activities are fine.
Yellow means there are moderate levels of ozone but that the air quality is fine for most people. Those sensitive to pollution may want to limit their time outdoors.
Orange indicates ozone levels that can be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including those with lung disease such as asthma. They should limit outdoor activities and perhaps avoid strenuous exercise.
Red conditions are unhealthy for sensitive groups and even healthy folks should limit outside activities. Those with lung conditions may want to stay inside.
Purple is very unhealthy and those with breathing problems should remain indoors. Everyone else should limit outdoor activities.
May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and also Clean Air Month, Blevins said, and a good time to begin the air quality program.
The flags will be flown at all county schools to keep students, parents, teachers and the community at-large aware of air quality.
The flags are brightly colored and large enough at 3-by-5 feet to be seen easily. The flags are hoisted around 7:30 a.m. every school day.
"Ozone levels are affected by air pollution and temperature," said Blevins, noting the levels are normally higher during the warmer months, from May to October. She said early morning and late evening hours are usually better than at midday.
"It's not just for schools but for the communities as well," she said. "This will let people know how to plan their day."

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