Elevated levels of ozone pollution — otherwise known as smog — have prompted the Southwest Clean Air Agency and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to issue an air quality advisory for the Portland-Vancouver and Salem, Ore., areas. The advisory is expected to remain in effect until 8 p.m. Friday.
Ozone pollution is expected to reach levels Thursday and Friday that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, pregnant people, older adults and people with heart disease or respiratory conditions. Health officials recommend sensitive groups limit outdoor activity when pollution levels are high.
Smog irritates the eyes, nose and lungs and contributes to breathing problems. If these symptoms are worsening, consult your health care provider.
It’s recommended that all people protect their health and limit activities that cause pollution during the ongoing heat wave.
Here are some tips:
- Limit driving by using public transit, carpooling or other alternative transportation.
- Avoid unnecessary engine idling.
- Refuel vehicles during cooler evening hours.
- Postpone yard work that uses gas-powered equipment.
- Postpone painting and aerosol spray projects.
Ozone forms when hot temperatures and low winds combine with pollutants from cars, other gas-powered engines and chemicals in paints and aerosols. These air pollutants react with sunlight and heat to produce ozone and haze.
Exposure to sunlight increases ozone pollution throughout the day, so pollution levels tend to be highest during afternoons and early evenings. Air quality monitors may show good air quality in the morning, then quickly jump to unhealthy levels later in the day.
Check current air quality conditions and advisories at the Southwest Clean Air Agency website, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Index or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on a smartphone.
Oregon also issued an air quality advisory on Wednesday about wildfire smoke in parts of central, southern and eastern Oregon.
