ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County is urging people sensitive to air pollution to take precautions Friday afternoon.
The county issued an Air Pollution Precaution on Friday due to possible elevated levels of ozone.
People with respiratory illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis and other conditions are urged to take precautions, as are children and older adults. That includes keeping the time they spend outside to a minimum and avoiding strenuous activities.
The general public should also avoid prolonged periods outside.
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News 6 meteorologist Michelle Morgan says ground-level ozone becomes an issue when things like vehicle exhaust react to the presence of sunlight.
“This can make the air harder to breathe. This looks like what is happening in Orange County,” Morgan said.
Ground-level ozone can reach unhealthy levels on hot sunny days, especially in cities and heavily populated areas.
This is also different from the ozone you normally hear about, the “ozone layer” in Earth’s stratosphere.
“The ozone high up in the sky, which protects us from the sun’s UV rays, isn’t directly affected by hot weather,” Morgan said.
The Environmental Protection Agency tracks air quality and posts the information on the AirNow.gov website.
Currently, the website states air quality for Orange County is expected to improve through the weekend.