Air Quality Awareness Week was 30 days ago.

In 2020 Air Quality Awareness Week was held from April 27th (monday) to May 3rd (sunday).

Air Quality Awareness Week (AQAW) is a moveable feast. It falls in the last week of April.

The Air Protection Initiative, prepared in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to increase public awareness of the impact of air quality on human health.

Each year, the leitmotif is devoted to a different theme, which highlights the priority area of air quality problems. Joining the Air Quality Flag Program is an exemplary example for many organisations, including local health departments, which can show that they care about air quality and encourage others to care about the environment. Institutions participating in the programme place one of the five flags (green, yellow, orange, red and purple) every day, which determines the current level of air pollution. The choice of the flag colour depends on the air quality forecast received directly from the EPA and may help to take appropriate actions to protect human health, including people suffering from asthma.

Health departments can also organise and participate in educational events and community awareness-raising activities on the impact of air quality on health. For example, the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County organises the annual „Clean Air Fair” which brings together vendors, exhibitors and organisations that highlight the value of air quality in creating a healthy environment.

A few years ago there was also an opportunity to get virtually involved in the celebration of the Air Quality Awareness Week. For this purpose, the EPA/CDC conducted a Twitter chat where health officials could send questions, comments and share best practices using the #AirQualityChat hashtag.