On Tuesday at 11:22 a.m. an air quality alert was issued valid until Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. The alert is for Iredell, Catawba, Rowan, Lincoln, Gaston, Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties.

“The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Ground Level Ozone for Catawba, Iredell, Rowan, Lincoln, Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Cabarrus counties, until 8 p.m. this evening,” states the National Weather Service.

Air quality alerts: Recommendations from NWS

When an air quality alert is in effect, following the NWS guidance is pivotal. Here are some simple tips from the NWS for safeguarding your well-being:

Prioritize indoor stay:

Whenever possible, seek refuge indoors, especially if you grapple with respiratory concerns, health issues, or belong to the senior or child demographic

Trim outdoor activities:

When you can’t avoid going outdoors, keep outdoor activities to the bare essentials. Reducing your time outdoors is the key.

Reduce pollution contributors:

Be conscious of activities that contribute to pollution, such as driving cars, using gas-powered lawnmowers, or relying on motorized vehicles. Curtail their use during air quality alerts.

A ban on open burning:

Resist the urge to burn debris or any other materials during an air quality alert. This practice only adds to the air pollution problem.

Stay well-informed:

Keep yourself informed by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news station. Staying in the know ensures that you can make informed decisions about outdoor activities during air quality alerts.

Prioritize respiratory health:

If you grapple with respiratory issues or underlying health problems, exercise added caution. These conditions can render you more susceptible to the adverse effects of compromised air quality.

By adhering to the recommendations from the NWS, you can enhance your safety during air quality alerts and reduce your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay vigilant, stay protected, and prioritize your health above all else.

Source: The National Weather Service