Heat brings another code orange day

An Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Charlotte today.

Today's Forecast: 140 AQI-Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

Primary pollutant: Ozone

For additional information concerning the air quality forecast including a detailed forecast discussion, please visit the following link on the NC Division Of Air Quality Web Site: http://www.ncair.org/airaware/forecast.

The Charlotte air quality forecast region includes Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union, and southern Iredell Counties.

Protect your Health! Modify your physical activity as needed by referencing the Air Quality Index below.

Note: Open Burning is generally PROHIBITED on Air Quality Action Days. Burning trash and other non-vegetative material is ALWAYS PROHIBITED. For more information and exceptions to the Open Burning Rule, visit www.ncair.org/enf/openburn and http://www.ncair.org/rules/rules/sec1900.pdf.

Care for the Air

- Drive less: carpool, vanpool, take the bus, telecommute.

- Conserve electricity.

- Pack a lunch or walk to lunch.

- Avoid idling your vehicle.

- Refuel and mow after 6:00pm.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

Green...........0-50 AQI........Good air quality. No health risks are expected. Enjoy outdoor activities!

Yellow.......51-100 AQI........Moderate air quality. Air quality is okay, but unusually sensitive people may be affected, especially when the AQI nears 100.

Orange...101-150 AQI........Air quality is Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups. Children, active adults, and those with heart or respiratory disease, including asthma, should limit outdoor activity.

Red.........151-200 AQI........Unhealthy air quality. Everyone should avoid prolonged outdoor activity.

Purple.....201-300 AQI........Very Unhealthy air quality. Everyone should avoid outdoor activity.