Air Quality Alert remains in effect through June 30
When weather conditions in the Tri-State are hot and muggy, or when other circumstances affect air quality, it’s likely the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency will issue an Air Quality Alert for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana.
The Air Quality Alert that started June 28 remains in effect through 11:59 p.m on June 30, because of smoke and particulates from wildfires in Canada.
Alerts typically occur when ozone levels reach the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range on the Air Quality Index (AQI).
Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, those who are pregnant, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors.
Specific recommendations for people in sensitive groups are:
- Keep outdoor activities light and short.
- Consider moving all activities indoors.
- Go indoors if you have symptoms.
On Air Quality Alert days, you can help reduce ozone formation by taking these actions:
- When possible, take the bus, carpool, bike, or walk instead of driving.
- Refuel your vehicle after 8 p.m., do not top off when refueling, and tighten the gas cap.
- Do not idle your vehicle; exhaust contributes considerably to ozone formation.
- Combine trips or eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips.
- Keep your vehicle maintained with properly inflated tires and timely oil changes.
- Avoid use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on Air Quality Alert days.
- Avoid use of oil-based paints and stains on Air Quality Alert days.
- Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings.
- Suspend use of fire pits, campfires, and charcoal grills on Air Quality Alert days.
- Conserve electricity by turning out lights and unplugging unused appliances and electronics.
Background:
Air Quality Alerts are issued as a partnership between the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services and OKI Regional Council of Governments.
The Air Quality Index is updated twice each day on Monday through Friday.
The Air Quality Agency (which employs CState Environmental Engineering Technology interns and graduates) uses seven ozone monitors– located throughout Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties– to collect air quality data 24 hours a day.
To learn more about local air quality and how the Air Quality Agency does its work, visit: