Air Quality May Be Unhealthy for Some Through Thursday
The Ohio EPA is predicting that the air quality in Northeast Ohio will be unhealthy for some sensitive groups of people because of pollution.
Pollution in the air in Northeast Ohio may be a concern for those who have asthma, lung disease or older adults and children Wednesday, Thursday and possibly Friday this week.
The Akron Regional Air Quality Agency, the Cleveland Deptartment of Public Health and Welfare and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency are predicting the air quality will be unsafe for some sensitive groups of people through March 22.
The air quality index as of 5 p.m. March 21, was a 78, which is considered "Moderate." There are six ratings that range from "Good" to "Hazardous."
On Friday, the above organizations are predicting the quality will move from "Moderate" to "Unhealthy to Sensitive Groups."
"Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion," according to a press release from AirNow. "Residents, businesses and local governments should voluntarily reduce activities that contribute to ozone air pollution. Be proactive by reducing or eliminating unnecessary motor vehicle trips, and consider carpooling or use public transportation. Consider setting your home or office air conditioning thermostat slightly higher."
The agencies that have issued the alert recommend that people wait until after 7 p.m. to do prolonged outdoor activities, like exercising and mowing the lawn.
Click here to learn more about the alert, how to reduce air pollution and more.
Jerry
7:38 am on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thanks for the warning. Our 4 1/2 year old daughter just came home from the hospital after having an asthma attack. We will need to be extra cautious the next few days.
Sonia Gwynes
8:35 am on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Of all the rights people speak out and stand up for and are willing to fight for, clean air doesn't seem to be on the list. Priorities, anyone?
This comment section should explode with bitter, angry comments about how our most basic rights are being taken aware from us more so than it does when articles are posted about personal topics such as religion, but it won't. No child or anyone should have to spend days cooped up inside because the natural air outside has been tainted to the point of being poisonous or even deadly (asthma attacks are no small thing). We ALL breathe the same air. Poor air quality ratings and warnings to stay inside and not breathe the air outside should infuriate everyone, yet most people won't even bat an eyelash. Bring up womens rights and the whole cybersphere lights up, but tell people not to breathe the air and there is nothing but silence. Shame on us all.
tom m
2:36 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
if you are not willing to move to the country to protect those who are affected by the random bad air days (in order to protect them) dont expect me to feel sorry for those who choose to stay here
Mark
9:39 am on Friday, March 23, 2012
Due to the physics of air, and the varied source of air pollution, there is no assurance that air quality in rural communities is necessarily any better.
Further, many people don't have the financial mobility to live in any place of their choosing, especially in a depressed economy with high unemployment and a housing crisis.
tom m
10:02 am on Friday, March 23, 2012
well rural areas will not have large amounts of the nitric oxide (car exhaust) needed to produce the ozone filled air so only the occasional wind driven ozone will cause an alert out in the country ...and as for the financial mobility..... Nobody is ever FORCED to live somewhere that is a choice they make ... and the public should not have to change to accommodate them (it is like those who buy a house next to a highway and then complain about the highway noise)