Air Quality Alert In Effect for Medford Metro

AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT until 8:45p August 30.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Pollution Advisory. Air quality agencies expect pollution to reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, pregnant people, older adults, and people with heart disease or respiratory conditions.

Health officials recommend that people limit outdoor activity when pollution levels are high. The agencies urge residents to protect their health and limit activities that cause pollution.

Recommendations include: Limit driving by using public transit, carpooling or other alternative transportations. Avoid unnecessary engine idling. Refuel vehicles during cooler evening hours. Postpone yard work that use gas-powered equipment. Postpone painting and aerosol spray projects.

Smog irritates the eyes, nose, and lungs, and contributes to breathing problems.

Consult your health care provider if these symptoms worsen. Ozone forms when hot temperatures and low winds combine with pollution from cars, gas-powered engines and chemicals in paints and aerosols.

These air pollutants react with sunlight and heat to produce ozone and haze. Ozone pollution increases throughout the day with exposure to sunlight, so pollution levels tend to be highest during afternoons and early evenings.

Air quality monitors may show good air quality in the morning, the quickly jump to unhealthy levels later in the day. For additional information…please visit the web site at http://www.oregon.gov/deq