Unhealthy Air Quality Persists Today In Bay Area

BAY AREA, CA – A Spare the Air alert has been issued for today in the Bay Area as light winds, heat and exhaust from vehicle traffic produce an unhealthy level of smog, officials with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District said Sunday.

The alert is the 24th this season.

Residents are being asked to choose other ways of traveling besides driving alone.

Smog, or ozone, can irritate throats, cause congestion and chest pain, trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema, air quality officials said.

Long-term exposure can damage the lungs.

Smog can be particularly harmful to young children, seniors and people with respiratory and heart conditions, according to air quality officials.

People who exercise outdoors should exercise only in the morning when the smog level is lower.

Residents are encouraged to carpool, bike, walk or take transit today and every day. Air quality officials are asking residents who are in the market for another vehicle to consider buying an electric one to help reduce smog in the Bay Area and protect the earth's climate.

Also see:

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--Bay City News/Morguefile image