What is an air quality alert day?

With today’s summer-like forecast, many people may be eager to get outside - but for some, that might not be the best idea.

Today has been declared an air quality alert day for multiple Michiana counties including Berrien, Cass, LaPorte, St Joseph, and Elkhart counties. This alert will be in place all day long.

The main pollutant that is affecting our air quality index is ozone. To cut back on how much ozone is being produced, avoid using gasoline powered machinery or filling up your car.

Ozone can be a good or a bad thing depending on where it is in the atmosphere.

Earth’s atmosphere is made up of layers, with the lowest layer, the troposphere, being where all weather occurs. The stratosphere - which is right above the troposphere - is where we find the ozone layer. This layer holds about 90% of the ozone in our atmosphere and is crucial in blocking out harmful UV radiation.

Stratospheric ozone is necessary to us here on Earth, but when it’s near the ground, it can be very unhealthy, especially to those who are sensitive to polluted air.

Ground-level ozone comes from a chemical reaction between heat and sunlight, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Ozone is most commonly formed here in Michiana when there are clear skies, light winds, hot temperatures, and persistent high pressure.

Anyone with asthma or heart/lung disease as well as children and older adults should limit their time outdoors as they may experience some health concerns; however, most people shouldn't be affected by ozone levels today.