DENVER — An ozone action alert was issued for metro Denver and the Front Range region Wednesday afternoon. It lasts until 4 p.m. Thursday.
Hot temperatures, clear skies and light wind might lead to increased ground-level ozone throughout the region.
The problem
Ground-level ozone pollution is created when emissions from everyday items including gas-powered vehicles and lawn equipment, household paints, stains and solvents combine with other pollutants in the atmosphere on hot, summer days.
It can affect you
At ground level, ozone pollution is harmful for everyone, especially the young and elderly. It can trigger attacks and symptoms in people who have things like asthma or other respiratory infections.
High levels of ozone can impact healthy people who work or exercise outdoors. It can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation and reduced resistance to lung infections and colds with long-term exposure.
What you can do
- Refuel in the evening
- Stop at the click. Do not overfill gas tanks when refueling
- Tighten gas cap after refueling
- Keep vehicles well-maintained
- Mow in the evening
- Use new, earth-friendly lawn equipment
RELATED: More information from OzoneAware.org