Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD & Radio Disney

School Assemblies PLUS AQI Kids Activity Chart

National Air Quality Conference – San DiegoMarch 7, 2011

Lori KobzaCommunications Office

Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD

Save Planet Polluto/Radio DisneyPartnership between Sacramento

Metropolitan AQMD and Radio Disney began in 2002

Elementary school assemblies are based on the AQMD’s Save Planet Polluto CD-ROM adventure game and the Sacramento region’s Spare The Air program

Each school event is presented by Radio Disney’s “Extreme Team” staff – (14+ schools each season)

Features colorful life-size characters, games, AQI and other air quality information, Disney prizes

Radio Disney Assemblies (cont.)Team explains AQI chart, describes health risks at each category

Children learn how to find out the daily air quality forecastSacramento Bee’s weather page featuring AQI is

displayedSpare The Air advisory radio commercial is played so

kids know what to listen for during the summer

Radio Disney Assemblies (cont.)Children listen & interact with Team while

learning about air pollution causes and how to improve air quality

After the skit, the Team plays a game called “Who Wants to Breathe Clean Air” and invites two kids up on stage to play and go over what they’ve learned

AQI Kids Activity ChartDeveloped in 2005 by Sacramento Metro AQMD,

Breathe California (formerly American Lung Assoc.), Sacramento County Dept. of Public Health, El Dorado, Placer & Yolo-Solano Air Districts, Folsom-Cordova School District nurse, EPA, and health scientists from the California Air Resources Board

Chart is tied to the AQI for 8-hour ozone standardProvides guidelines on activity levels for children

on smoggy daysRecess, P.E. class, athletic practice & training, and

scheduled sporting events

AQI Kids Activity Chart (cont.)Can be used anywhere in the U.S.Chart gives reasonable recommendations that

recognize the health benefits of exercise, while showing a need to possibly restrict activities or provide indoor space when air quality is poor

Extremely detailed instructions on how to “use” the chart were developed with input from teachers and coaches – they wanted step-by-step instructions

Recommendations may require modification if children are being exposed to wildfire smoke

AQI Kids Activity Chart (cont.)

Chart gives short guidelinesExample #1: if the AQI is at the unhealthy

level, and there is an athletic practice, the chart indicates “Activities over 2 hours should decrease intensity and duration. Add rest breaks or substitutions to lower breathing rates.”

Example #2: if the AQI is at the USG level, and there is a P.E. class, the chart indicates “Make indoor space available for children with asthma or other respiratory problems.”

AQI Kids Activity Chart (cont.)Printed charts are sent to schools, sports

leagues, daycare centers, and others who supervise children

Distributed to staff and teachers at Radio Disney school assemblies

Available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Hindi

Can also be found on the Sacramento region’s Spare The Air website -www.sparetheair.com/aqi.cfm (click on AQI

Kids Activity Chart to view or print the PDF)