Officials have extended an air quality alert for the entire state of Ohio through Friday, July 17, as smoke from hundreds of wildfires in Canada and Minnesota pushes south to the Ohio River.
According to AirNow, cities across Ohio are seeing varying air quality indexes.
As of this morning, conditions in Cleveland are the worst, where conditions were labeled hazardous (maroon). Conditions in Youngstown are considered very unhealthy (purple).
Conditions in the Akron and Columbus are rated unhealthy (red).
In Cincinnati and Dayton, air quality rates are unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange).
Air quality in Ohio
The map below displays the current air quality at monitoring sites in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Air monitoring sites are color-coded based on the pollutant (ozone or particulate matter) with the highest value. Particles that are less than 10 micrometers and 2.5 micrometers in diameter are called PM10 and PM2.5, respectively.
An AQI of 50 or below means the current air quality is good. The shaded areas of the map show the approximate boundaries where air quality is available and listed as anything other than good. The information is updated hourly.
Air Quality Index guidelines (ozone and particle pollution)
Some people are more sensitive to air pollution because of their age or health. People who are active or work outdoors are also at higher risk when the air quality is poor. Health concerns related to poor air quality may include difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing and more serious health effects such as lung damage, asthma attacks, heart attacks and stroke.
Here’s how to interpret the Air Quality Index values, according to the U.S. EPA:
The Detroit Free Press contributed to this report
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio air quality map, latest AQI readings. Check conditions in your area
Reporting by Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
