Chattanooga, TN – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for the Chattanooga area, in effect until midnight tonight.
The advisory, which was released Wednesday morning, indicates that ground-level particulate matter concentrations may reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, children, active adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
While the general public is not expected to experience significant health effects, those with respiratory issues are advised to take precautions. Residents are encouraged to reduce outdoor activities and stay indoors if they experience breathing difficulties.
The alert covers multiple counties, including Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Sequatchie, Marion, and Hamilton, affecting cities such as Chattanooga, Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, and Fort Oglethorpe. The elevated pollution levels are attributed to weather conditions that trap fine particulate matter near the ground, leading to potential health risks for vulnerable populations.
For further updates and recommendations, residents can visit the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation website at https://www.tn.gov/environment. Those concerned about air quality can also monitor local conditions through government air quality tracking services.
