Particulate Matter, or particle pollution, in the air can cause a number of serious health problems. It is important to monitor your local air quality closely to see if you may be at risk.
..AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT...
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in Springfield Illinois
has issued an Air Quality Action Day until midnight CDT Wednesday
night.
Smoke from wildfires in Canada has moved into the region, pushing
air quality into the unhealthy or worse categories. Air Quality
Index (AQI) forecasts and levels can normally be found at
AirNow.gov, but the unique widespread nature of this episode prompted
this extra NWS alert.
An Air Quality Action Day means that smoke concentrations within the
region will approach or exceed unhealthy standards. Active children
and adults, especially people with pulmonary or respiratory disease
such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor activity. Air quality
forecasts and tips on how you can reduce your emissions can be found
at www.airnow.gov.
