For the third consecutive day, an air quality alert has been issued for Thursday, July 16, for Franklin and other central Ohio counties as levels of ozone meet or exceed unhealthy levels for vulnerable populations, according to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).
In addition to Franklin County, Delaware, Fairfield, and Licking counties are also under the air quality alert, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. The alert, as it has July 14 and 15, will run from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 16, according to MORPC.
Light winds are carrying thin layers of smoke from wildfires in Wisconsin and Canada into the central Ohio region. At the same time, sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid- to upper-90s will enhance ozone development.
The four counties are likely to experience ground-level ozone pollution that will be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Some of those groups include children, the elderly, and people with asthma and COPD, according to the weather service.
People can help reduce ozone by carpooling when possible, biking or walking, and taking bus service like the Central Ohio Transit Authority where available. MORPC also recommends waiting until after 8 p.m. to put fuel in your vehicle and not idling your vehicle for long periods of time.
If you are mowing your lawn, mow it in the evening hours and avoid using gas-powered lawn equipment if possible, MORPC recommends.
What is an air quality alert?
Air quality alerts are issued when elevated levels of pollutants in the air make it unsafe to be outside.
Particles from wildfire smoke can cause minor symptoms, such as mild eye or throat irritation, or more serious heart and lung issues in some cases, according to the National Weather Service. Wildfire smoke particles are especially dangerous for children, older adults, pregnant people and those with heart or respiratory conditions.
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
The best way to protect yourself from poor air quality is to stay indoors, especially when the Air Quality Index reaches above 101, which is classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Here are some additional steps you can take to protect yourself from poor air quality, including wildfire smoke, according to the Wisconsin DNR:
What the AQI Index means
MORPC uses the national AQI scale to measure ozone and particle pollution levels in central Ohio. The AQI scale runs from 0-500. Once levels reach above 100, air quality is considered unhealthy for vulnerable groups. The AQI scale for the Columbus region is forecasted to be 108 on July 15.
Here are the levels of air quality using the AQI scale:
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Air quality alert issued for third day in row for 4 central Ohio counties
Reporting by Shahid Meighan, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Shahid Meighan, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
