Elevated ozone and pollutant levels have caused an air quality alert to be issued for all of northern Illinois. The elevated levels pose a hazard to sensitive groups and young children.
Currently, the ozone Air Quality Index (AGI) for residents in Chicago is 101. This is an unhealthy level for individuals with lung diseases such as asthma or COPD, children and teens, older adults, and those who are routinely active outdoors for six or more hours a day.
The Illinois EPA (IEPA) has directed citizens to take steps to reduce their exposure. Such as:
- Choose less strenuous activities while outdoors. For example, walking instead of running. This way, people do not breathe as hard.
- Shorten the length of time spent outdoors.
- Be active outdoors when the air quality is better. These times could fall in the early morning and evening hours.
Areas Affected in Northern Illinois
The counties under the air quality alert are:
- McHenry.
- Lake.
- Dekalb.
- Kane.
- DuPage.
- Kendall.
- Grundy.
- Cook.
- Will.
- LaSalle.
- Kankakee.
How Action Days Are Decided
The National Weather Service states the effect will be in place from midnight Friday to Midnight Saturday. Furthermore, the NWS adds the alert is somewhat unusual due to the widespread nature of the air quality conditions. As such, the IEPA declared the situation an Air Pollution Action Day.
AirNow states that Action Days are “called when the AQI gets into the unhealthy ranges. Different air pollution control agencies call them at different levels. In some places, action days are called when the AQI is forecast to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, or Code Orange.”
The combination of warm, dry, sunny weather, along with intensifying drought conditions, can cause ozone levels to rise, according to NWS.
Ways to Help
In addition, residents have been encouraged to either reduce car usage or combine trips when possible. Moreover, it could also help if people used energy more efficiently. Like, turning up the thermostat slightly so the air conditioner isn’t on full blast.
Above all, use caution while outside, stay hydrated, and try to stay cool during the hot weather. People can check the air quality in their area at AirNow.gov.
Sources:
NBC 5 Chicago: Air Quality Alert Issued for Illinois Friday. Here’s What That Means
AirNow: Current Air Quality
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