Year’s first Spare the Air alert issued for Sacramento. Here’s how to help reduce pollution
Sacramento air quality managers have issued the first “Spare the Air” alert for the Sacramento region, warning residents of poor air quality forecast for Friday and urging them to cut back on driving and other activities that could contribute to air pollution.
In a release Thursday morning, officials from the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District said Friday’s air quality index was expected to be 133, above the 126-AQI threshold health officials use to trigger an alert. The dominant pollutant is ozone and the quality level is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. AQI readings between 100 and 150 are many including children, those who are pregnant, older adults and those with heart and lung conditions.
“Drivers in the Sacramento region are asked to cut back on driving,” air managers said. “Carpool to sports and recreation activities, bike or walk in the morning hours when pollution levels are low, postpone errands or take public transit.”
The increased pollution could be attributed to smoke from fireworks that will be used as part of the Fourth of July activities around the capital region on Thursday night, as well as increased travel for the holiday. AQI readings on Wednesday reached 119, the same as what was forecast for Sacramento during the day Thursday.
Air quality also takes a hit during periods of extreme heat. Temperatures downtown are expected to reach 108 degrees on Thursday and could reach 110 degrees on Friday, according to the National Weather Service, which issued an excessive heat warning for most of the Sacramento Valley through Tuesday. A lack of winds that prompted this week’s red flag warning can also trap particulate and other pollution in the region.
AQI levels in the foothills of El Dorado and Placer counties are expected to reach 126 and 133, respectively, while Yolo County is predicted to have an AQI of 101.
How is AQI calculated? Here’s how you can monitor your local air quality in California
Tips to reduce air pollution include teleworking, taking transit, driving an electric car, walking or biking. However, with temperatures forecast above 100-degrees this week, residents are also warned to stay indoors.
High levels of air pollution can cause “immediate and severe” health issues like respiratory illness, heart and lung stress and damaged respiratory cells, according to air quality officials.
