CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Skyrocketing temperatures and a lack of rainfall are increasingly impacting the air we breathe around Charlotte.
An Air Quality Alert is in effect on Tuesday until 8 p.m. for Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Catawba, Rowan counties. This includes cities like Charlotte, Huntersville, Mooresville, Matthews, Concord, Kannapolis, Gastonia, Hickory, Newton, Lincolnton, Statesville, and Salisbury.
The Charlotte weather forecast calls for midweek temperatures near 95 degrees. This helps to produce ground-level ozone.
Ground-level ozone is produced when abnormally warm and dry conditions cause the reaction of two pollutants (nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) from human activities like vehicle tailpipes, power plants, pollutants and other natural sources.
The Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ground-level ozone was issued by The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh. An AQI "Code Orange" is most concerning for unhealthy or sensitive groups. This includes people who could experience negative health impacts. The general public is less likely to be affected.
SENSITIVE GROUPS
- People with heart or lung disease
- Older adults are most vulnerable
- Active people, kids should be aware
REDUCE THE IMPACT
Here are five ways sensitive groups can help reduce the impacts of poor air quality
- Reduce outdoor exercise
- Wear a mask outdoors
- Keep windows closed
- Use an air purifier
- Get an air quality monitor
Those who are most impacted should limit strenuous activities outside for a prolonged period of time during the late afternoon and early evening when ozone concentrations are the highest.
Air quality levels could remain elevated and impactful for sensitive over the next few days.
This is due to the stagnant weather pattern with primarily hot and dry conditions.
Contact KJ Jacobs at kjacobs3@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
