…CODE RED AIR QUALITY ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR JEFFERSON AND
SHELBY COUNTIES…
The Jefferson County Department of Health has issued a Code Red Air
Quality Alert for Jefferson and Shelby Counties for
Tuesday, March 11.
Under Code Red conditions, particulate matter concentrations are
expected to reach unhealthy levels. People with heart or lung
disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical
activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy
exertion.
JCDH recommends the following actions during an air quality alert
for particulate matter.
Avoid exposure to wood, forest, or agricultural smoke.
Reduce outside activity. Walk instead of jog. Do not exercise near
busy roads.
Plan outdoor activities for days when particle levels are lower.
Limit driving and engine idling. Combine errands. Use the bus or
carpool to work.
Avoid use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment.
Outside particulate matter can affect indoor air quality, especially
when outdoor levels are high. Keep windows and doors closed to
prevent further circulation of particles. You can further reduce
indoor particle levels by eliminating tobacco smoke, limiting
cooking with wood, coal, oil, or natural gas, and limiting the use
of candles, incense, and household cleaners.
If breathing becomes difficult, move indoors.
The Jefferson County Department of Health issued a Code Red Air Quality Alert for PM2.5 levels for Tuesday, March 11, warning residents of potential health risks.
PM2.5 levels for the day are forecasted to be 153.
Surface high pressure is expected to keep skies clear throughout the day, with temperatures rising into the 70s. Winds will shift from the northwest to the southwest at 5-10 mph.
The health department said smoke from a large prescribed burn northwest of the area on Monday moved into the region and is expected to be trapped under an overnight inversion. PM2.5 concentrations have already increased significantly and are anticipated to remain high until the inversion breaks mid-morning.
The department stated, “PM2.5 is expected to be in the red range, which triggers an Air Quality Alert.” An Air Quality Alert is issued when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is forecast to reach 101 or higher.
The public is encouraged to reduce personal emissions on days with elevated pollution levels. The alert indicates that some members of the general public may experience health effects, while members of sensitive groups could face more serious health issues.