...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT FRIDAY NIGHT... The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has extended the Air Pollution Action Day for the greater Chicago Metropolitan Area and IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT FRIDAY NIGHT. A Chicago area "Air Pollution Action Day" is declared when weather conditions are such that widespread ozone and or particulate levels are expected to be at or above the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) category of the Air Quality Index for multiple days. Wildfire smoke is expected to continue to have an impact on particulate levels with daily 24 hour AQI forecasts at USG or higher through Friday. USG category - Active children and adults, especially people with pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor activity. Unhealthy category - Everyone should reduce prolonged activities or heavy exertion outdoors. Active children, older adults, and people with pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma should avoid prolonged activities or heavy exertion outdoors. Area residents are urged to reduce pollution levels. Air quality forecasts, current air quality, and tips on how you can reduce your emissions can be found at www.airnow.gov. Media contact...Illinois EPA.
