Thursday predicted to be bad air day

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

An Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Charlotte on Thursday.
Tomorrow’s forecast: 116 Air Quality Index, ORANGE. Unhealthy for sensitive groups
The primary pollutant is ozone
For additional information concerning the air quality forecast including a detailed forecast discussion, please visit 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.
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.
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 p.m.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
Green ó 0-50. Good air quality. No health risks are expected.
Yellow ó 51-100. Moderate air quality. Air quality is OK, but unusually sensitive people may be affected, especially when the AQI nears 100.
Orange ó 101-150. Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, active adults and those with heart or respiratory disease, including asthma, should limit outdoor activity.
Red ó 151-200. Unhealthy air quality. Everyone should avoid prolonged outdoor activity.
Purple ó 201-300. Very unhealthy air quality. Everyone should avoid outdoor activity.