Code Orange air quality alert for Thursday

Valley AIRNow Air Quality Outreach Program reports that weather conditions are favorable for a Code Orange air quality alert on Thursday afternoon and evening.

A Code Orange indicates that air quality is unhealthy for some people sensitive to ozone.

The air quality spectrum:

• Green, 0-50, good


• Yellow, 51-100, moderate


• Orange, 100-151, unhealthy for sensitive people


• Red, 151-200, unhealthy


• Purple, 201-500, very unhealthy

Recommendations and tips while under Code Orange:

• Active children and adults: limit or reduce outdoor activity during the afternoon and early evening hours. Ozone can irritate your respiratory system, reduce lung function, and aggravate asthma - and ozone damage to your body can occur without obvious symptoms.


• For those with compromised respiratory systems, limit outdoor activity.


• Carpool, bicycle to work to reduce ground-level ozone. Telecommute.


• Refuel vehicles in the evening to limit fumes mixing with sun light to produce harmful ozone - and don't "top off" the tank, allowing fumes to escape.


• Delay mowing with gas-powered mowers or using other heavy equipment that may emit pollution.


• Avoid drive-through windows at restaurants, banks, cleaners, etc.


• Note: An idling engine can emit pollution into the air

For more info, visit www.valleyairnow.com