More Than a Million Americans Asked To Avoid Driving
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Air quality alerts were in place for parts of California and Colorado on Tuesday, with local authorities urging residents in affected areas to take steps to reduce air pollution.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an ozone action day alert for the Front Range Urban Corridor. The highest chance for elevated ozone levels is in the western parts of the Denver metro area, including Golden.
"If possible, please help us reduce ozone pollution by limiting driving gas and diesel-powered vehicles until at least 4 p.m. Ozone concentrations could reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category Tuesday afternoon and evening," the alert read.
Why It Matters
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ozone exposure can irritate the respiratory tract, causing coughing, throat discomfort and pain during deep breaths. It can inflame and damage airways, weaken defenses against infections, and worsen chronic lung issues like asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.
While even healthy people may notice symptoms, the EPA noted that individuals with respiratory illnesses are at greater risk of severe health impacts.
What To Know
In California, an air quality alert was issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) in conjunction with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) for "harmful fine particulate pollution levels" because of wildfire smoke.
Areas affected included Corona-Norco, metropolitan Riverside County, Perris Valley and Lake Elsinore.
The advisory was issued in response to the Juniper fire, which, according to a map from Watch Duty, had burned more than 680 acres in Riverside County.
"Particles in wildfire smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks and difficulty breathing," the alert warned.
"Everyone can be affected, but people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk."
Locals were advised to remain indoors with windows and doors closed, avoid intense outdoor physical activity, and avoid other sources of pollution such as fireplaces, candles, incense and gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.
A wildfire smoke advisory had been in effect for parts of Southern California on Monday because of the Wolf and Mindy fires, though a South Coast AQMD spokesperson told Newsweek these would not be extended.
What People Are Saying
Brandon Buckingham, a meteorologist with AccuWeather, previously told Newsweek: "Ozone is a secondary pollutant, meaning it's not emitted directly from sources, but is formed through chemical reactions. These reactions require sunlight and higher temperatures, making warmer months more prone to ozone formation. When air is stagnant, pollutants don't get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels.
"Ozone pollution is often more severe in urban areas where there are higher concentrations of pollutants from sources like cars, power plants, and industrial activities."
What Happens Next
At the time of writing, the California alert was in place through 6 p.m. Tuesday, while the alert for Colorado was in effect until 4 p.m.
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