Air quality warning for Chicago due to ozone pollution in extreme heat

CHICAGO (CBS) — Record heat and sunshine prompted an air quality alert in the Chicago area on Monday as ozone pollution rose to levels harmful to some people’s health.

The Illinois Department of Environmental Protection has declared an air pollution day for the Chicago area until midnight on Monday night. The combination of high temperatures and sunny skies will cause ozone levels to temporarily rise into the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category on Monday.

While the ozone layer in the upper layers of the atmosphere protects people on earth from the sun’s harmful radiation, ozone pollution near the ground is harmful to health if inhaled.

Young children and the elderly, as well as people with respiratory conditions such as asthma or emphysema, should limit outdoor activities and exertion. All citizens are encouraged to do their part to reduce pollution by carpooling, idling the engine, and waiting until cooler evening hours to fill up with gas or mow the lawn.

Similar weather conditions are forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, with bright sunshine and fresh southerly winds. Therefore, additional air quality warnings are possible.

According to the American Lung Association, the Chicago area has the 17th highest ozone levels among 223 metropolitan areas. The top four are all in California.

However, great progress has been made in Chicago, the Lung Association noted.

Compared to the late 1980s, about 19 fewer ozone action days have been registered in recent years.

Albany, NY is considered to have the lowest ozone pollution in the city. Since 2013, one or no action days have been reported each year.