Air Quality Alert Extended Through Wednesday
CHICAGO (STMW) -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency extended an air quality alert through Wednesday.
The "action day" alert warns that ozone levels could pose a health risk to active children, older adults and people with respiratory disorders,
The alert was issued about 4 a.m. Tuesday and is in effect for Cook, McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Grundy and Will counties and was later extended through Wednesday, when the temperature will reach 90 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
An "action day" alert is issued when air quality monitors and weather conditions indicate that ozone or fine particulate matter levels are likely to be unsafe for "sensitive groups," according to the EPA. Alerts can be extended for additional days if conditions do not improve.
Sensitive individuals are cautioned to limit their outdoor activities Tuesday and take any precautions recommended by their doctors, the EPA said.
Area residents and businesses are also asked to reduce their air pollution by cutting back on energy use, taking public transit and using environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
Tuesday is the first air pollution action day alert issued for the Chicago area in 2013.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
