Visit Online Forecast Page for Updates on Advisory’s Status
Local Air Quality May Be Poor Due To Smoke From Local Fireworks
Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management (DAQEM) is issuing an advisory that will be in effect through Sunday for smoke/ozone due to local fireworks and outdoor barbeques on the 4th of July. Air Quality officials say smoke is made of small dust particles and other pollutants that can aggravate respiratory diseases, and contribute to ground-level ozone formation.
At this time, unhealthy levels of air pollution are not occurring. Air Quality officials will continue to monitor the situation and will post an alert on the forecast page of the Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management website if unhealthy levels actually occur. A link to the forecast page is located on the website at www.accessclarkcounty.com.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Ozone is a gas that occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere and protects earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. At ground level, ozone is a key ingredient of urban smog during the hottest months of the year in Clark County. Ground-level ozone can build up during the afternoon hours due to a combination of several factors, including strong sunlight, hot temperatures, and pollutants from automobiles and other sources such as transport, wildfires and fireworks. Unhealthy doses of ground-level ozone can reduce lung function and worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma or bronchitis. Exposure to ozone also can induce coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath even in healthy people. When ozone levels are elevated, everyone should limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially people with respiratory diseases. Officials suggest these tips to help reduce the formation of ground-level ozone:
- Fill up your gas tank after sunset.
- Try not to spill gasoline when filling up, and don’t top off your gas tank.
- Combine several errands into one trip.
- Keep your car well maintained.
- Use mass transit or carpool.
- Don’t idle your car engine.
- Mow your lawn after sunset.
Detailed air quality conditions are posted in the monitoring section of the DAQEM website. You can receive free air quality forecasts and advisories via e-mail or text message through EnviroFlash service. Subscription information is available at www.enviroflash.org.
