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An air quality warning will be in effect in the Greater Cincinnati area starting Sunday. What you should know

As extreme heat continues to move into the region over the next few days, the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has announced it will issue an air quality alert for most of the Greater Cincinnati area.

The warning applies to Hamilton, Butler, Warren and Clermont counties in Ohio, Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky, and Dearborn County in Indiana. It goes into effect at midnight Sunday and lasts until midnight Monday.

The warning warns that ozone levels “could reach or exceed unhealthy limits.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ozone is a gas that occurs in the atmosphere both naturally and as a result of human activities. Stratospheric ozone limits the amount of harmful ultraviolet radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. However, ground-level ozone is a byproduct of pollution and can cause adverse health effects when inhaled.

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Authority said the air quality index could become unhealthy for sensitive groups starting Sunday.

An air quality warning is in effect for the Greater Cincinnati area starting Sunday midnight.An air quality warning is in effect for the Greater Cincinnati area starting Sunday midnight.

An air quality warning is in effect for the Greater Cincinnati area starting Sunday midnight.

“The public is urged to limit their outdoor exertion, especially children, people with respiratory illnesses and older adults,” the warning said.

According to the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency, individuals can take certain steps to reduce ozone pollution in the region. These include:

  • Carpool, bike, walk, or take the bus instead of driving alone.

  • Refuel your vehicle after 8 p.m.

  • Do not let your vehicle idle.

  • Mow your lawn in the evening and avoid using petrol-powered lawn equipment.

This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: An air quality warning will be issued in the Greater Cincinnati area starting Sunday