An air quality alert will remain in affect for the Miami Valley through Friday, July 17.
The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency say smoke from the Canadian wildfires is resulting in high levels of PM 2.5, or fine particles that create haze.
The U.S. Air Quality Index reports as of Friday afternoon that the local air is "very unhealthy" and people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should avoid physical activities outdoors. Everyone else is advised to keep outdoor time short and move activities inside if possible.
Other recommendations include:
- Avoid driving if possible. Vehicle emissions cause almost 50% of ground-level ozone. Carpool or take transit or for short trips walk or ride a bike.
- Refuel your vehicle in the evening or if possible wait until after the Air Quality Alert expires. Vapors from gasoline contribute to the formation of smog. By refueling in the evening when it’s cooler, smog doesn’t form as easily. Make sure your gas cap fits tightly so gas fumes don’t escape and contribute to the smog problem.
- Limit gas powered equipment such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, power trimmers, and shredders. Operating a gasoline-powered lawnmower for one hour produces the same amount of pollution as driving a car for eleven hours! Try a non-motorized or battery-powered lawnmower instead.
- Mow in the evening when the sunlight is not as strong and smog is less likely to form.
