News-Record.com

GREENSBORO — Air quality officials have issued a Code Orange forecast for the Triad today, meaning pollution may make the air unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The alert runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Temperatures are expected to be 96 degrees in the Greensboro area today, and 97 on Tuesday, which likely will be another Code Orange day.

People who are sensitive to air pollution should avoid moderate exertion outdoors. Sensitive groups include children and the elderly who are active outside, people who work or exercise outdoors and those with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other respiratory ailments.

The primary pollutant of concern is ozone, a highly reactive form of oxygen. Ozone can be unhealthy to breathe, damage plants and reduce crop yields. High ozone levels generally occur on hot sunny days with stagnant air, when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react in the lower atmosphere.

People are asked to:

• Limit driving by riding the bus, walking, bicycling or postponing trips.
• If you drive, avoid idling for long periods of time, stay within speed limits, combine errands to reduce the number of small trips, and use vehicles with higher fuel economies.
• Conserve electricity by setting thermostats at the highest comfortable temperature and turning off appliances that are not in use.