Air quality warning issued for Thursday

PROVIDENCE, RI (WPRI) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has issued an air quality alert for Thursday due to elevated levels of ground-level ozone.

The DEM predicts that ozone, a major component of smog, will reach health-threatening levels in Providence, Kent and Bristol counties. The agency expects the highest ozone levels to be measured in the Providence metropolitan area.

Ozone is created when pollutants in the air react to increased temperatures and sunlight.

The DEM is urging Rhode Island residents to help reduce air pollutant emissions by limiting automobile use and using fewer small engines, lawn mowers and charcoal lighter fuels.

Unhealthy ozone levels pose a health risk to children, older adults and people with existing lung conditions. Residents are advised to limit their outdoor activities while the air quality alert is in effect.