Spare the Air warning issued for Wednesday – NBC Bay Area

Air in the Bay Area will be smoggy and hazardous to health on Wednesday, prompting the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to issue a Spare the Air alert.

The aviation authority expects that high temperatures inland of over 37 degrees Celsius combined with a light sea breeze in the afternoon and car exhaust fumes will lead to increased smog concentrations.

According to the aviation district, “Spare the Air” alerts are issued when smog or ozone pollution is forecast to reach levels that are harmful to health.

Ozone pollution can be harmful to young children, seniors and people with respiratory and heart conditions. The district recommends only exercising outdoors in the early morning hours when ozone concentrations are lower.

Ozone can cause throat irritation, congestion and chest pain. It can trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and aggravate bronchitis and emphysema.

To find out when a Spare the Air alert is in effect, residents can sign up for email AirAlerts at sparetheair.org, call 1(800) HELP-AIR, download the Spare the Air app, or connect with Spare the Air on Facebook or Twitter.