Air District extends Spare the Air alert until Thursday

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has extended the “Spare the Air” smog warning from Wednesday through Thursday.

The district said Wednesday that air quality would remain unhealthy for another day.

“Very high temperatures inland, exceeding 37 degrees Celsius, a light sea breeze in the afternoon and car exhaust fumes will continue to lead to increased ozone and smog concentrations,” the district said in a statement.

Spare the Air alerts are issued when ozone pollution is expected to reach levels that are hazardous to health. Ozone can cause throat irritation, congestion and chest pain. It can trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema.

Long-term exposure can impair lung function. Ozone pollution is especially harmful to young children, the elderly, and people with respiratory and heart conditions. When a Spare the Air warning is issued, exercise only in the early morning hours when ozone concentrations are lower.

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

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