Millions across 11 states are under air quality alerts due to dangerous ozone levels and wildfire smoke, prompting health officials to urge residents to limit outdoor activity.
Millions of Americans across 11 states have been placed under air quality alerts today as dangerous levels of pollution affect the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern California.
The National Weather Service issued warnings effective from 11am to 11pm. Across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, alerts are driven by ground-level ozone, a gas created when heat and sunlight react with emissions. Officials warn this pollutant “can irritate the lungs, trigger asthma attacks and cause breathing difficulties.”
Meanwhile, Southern California faces separate hazards from wildfire smoke and PM2.5 particulate matter. The National Weather Service stated, “Particles in wildfire smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks and difficulty breathing.”
Residents in affected regions are urged to remain indoors, avoid strenuous exercise, and utilize air purifiers or N95 masks.
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