As you may have noticed, it is hazy outside today and air quality is a concern. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) has issued an Air Quality Alert for the entire state of Ohio.
The primary pollutant of concern is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which consists of airborne particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Elevated PM2.5 levels are being caused by smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota, which has drifted into Ohio.
The advisory, issued on July 16, is in effect from 7:00 a.m. on July 16th into July 17th. According to the Ohio EPA, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and individuals with asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions.
What This Means
When air quality falls within the "Unhealthy" range, some members of the general public may experience health effects, while sensitive groups may experience more serious health impacts. If air quality were to reach the "Hazardous" category, everyone could be affected and experience health-related symptoms.
Recommended Precautions
To reduce the risk of adverse health effects, the Ohio EPA recommends that:
- Individuals in sensitive groups avoid outdoor activities whenever possible.
- Everyone else limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity.
- Anyone experiencing symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing should move indoors and reduce physical exertion.
- Individuals who continue to experience adverse health effects should contact their healthcare provider.
Please consider adjusting outdoor work and recreational activities accordingly and monitor local air quality conditions throughout the day, as they may change quickly.