Chicago, IL – An Air Pollution Action Day has been issued for the greater Chicago metropolitan area, with elevated ozone and particulate pollution expected to continue through Tuesday night, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), the Air Pollution Action Day is in effect Tuesday, July 14, and is expected to remain in place through Tuesday night. The advisory was issued because weather conditions are favorable for widespread ozone and particulate matter concentrations reaching or exceeding the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category of the Air Quality Index.
The advisory covers the greater Chicago metropolitan area, where air quality conditions could affect people with respiratory or pulmonary conditions, as well as children and older adults.
Health officials recommend that active children and adults, especially those with asthma or other respiratory diseases, limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity while the advisory remains in effect.
The IEPA is also encouraging residents to help reduce air pollution by limiting vehicle use when possible, avoiding unnecessary engine idling, postponing gasoline-powered lawn equipment use until later in the day, and conserving energy.
Residents can monitor current air quality conditions and forecasts through the Illinois EPA and AirNow.gov to determine when conditions improve.
The advisory is scheduled to expire at midnight CDT Tuesday night, although additional alerts could be issued if air quality conditions persist.
