Orange air quality warning issued for the Birmingham area on Friday

A further air quality warning with code orange will apply to the greater Birmingham area from Friday.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has issued a warning for Jefferson and Shelby counties for Friday.

High temperatures and light winds could combine to raise ozone concentrations to levels that could cause problems for people with respiratory diseases or children.

It is not expected that the population in general will be affected.

According to AirNow.gov, a nearby high-pressure system will cause the air in the region to sink, keeping potentially dangerous pollutants closer to the ground.

Maximum temperatures of well over 30 degrees are expected in the greater Birmingham area today:

Some recommendations from ADEM for air quality alert days:

* Save electricity and set your air conditioning to a higher temperature.

* Limit car travel and combine errands.

* Avoid using gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.

* Refuel vehicles after 6pm

* Limit engine idling.

* Use household, workshop and garden chemicals in a way that keeps evaporation to a minimum, or try to avoid them if poor air quality is forecast.

* If breathing becomes difficult, go indoors.

For more information on what to do on air quality alert days, visit the Environmental Protection Agency at airnow.gov.