Air quality advisory issued for Salem and Eugene amid high temperatures

Abigail Landwehr, Salem Statesman Journal
·1 min read
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An air quality advisory was issued Wednesday for Eugene and Salem.
An air quality advisory was issued Wednesday for Eugene and Salem.

An air quality advisory has been issued through Wednesday night for Northwest Oregon, including Salem and Eugene, according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

The advisory comes amid red flag warnings and high temperatures across the state.

Elevated levels of ozone, also known as smog, can be unhealthy for sensitive groups. That includes children, older adults, those with heart disease or respiratory conditions and pregnant people. Anyone who falls into those groups is recommended to limit any outdoor activities while the advisory is in place.

The ozone pollution forms when a mix of hot temperatures and low winds also combine with different kinds of pollution, according to a news release from Oregon DEQ. Some of that contamination comes from engines that run on gas or chemicals from certain paints and aerosol sprays.

Officials are also encouraging people to avoid any sort of activities that could cause pollution during the advisory.

During the advisory, the department recommends:

  • Use carpooling, public transportation, or any other type of alternative to limit driving.

  • Avoid running engines longer than needed.

  • Fuel vehicles later in the day in cooler temperatures.

  • Delay any yard work that needs gas-powered equipment or any projects that need paint or aerosol spray.

The poor air quality can irritate eyes, nose and lungs, which can play a part in breathing problems. Oregon DEQ recommends contacting a health care provider if symptoms get worse.

Current air quality conditions are updated on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Index, which is also available on the free OregonAIR app.

The department added that exposure to sunlight causes ozone pollution to increase throughout the day, and levels are often higher during afternoons and early in the evening.

Abigail Landwehr is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at alandwehr@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Air quality advisory issued for Salem and Eugene