Unhealthy Air Quality Prompts Pollution Alert For Wilmette, Kenilworth

WILMETTE-KENILWORTH, IL — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an air pollution action day for the greater Chicago metropolitan area, including Wilmette and Kenilworth, due to wildfire smoke.

According to the National Weather Service, the alert will be in effect until midnight Thursday.

"Active children and adults, especially people with pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor activity," the National Weather Service said in a statement.

An air pollution action day is declared when weather conditions are such that widespread ozone and or particular levels are expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. According to the weather service, officials are primarily concerned about PM2.5, or particulate matter, at this time.

PM2.5 in the air can be harmful, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. If breathed in, it can lead to negative health effects such as heart attacks, asthma aggravation, decreased lung function, coughing and difficulty breathing.

In some extreme cases, the pollution could lead to premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

Officials urged Chicagoland residents to do what they can to reduce pollution levels by:

• Taking public transit, Rideshare, walk or bike;
• If driving, avoid idling, consolidate errands and run them after 7 p.m. when sunlight is not as strong;
• Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs;
• Setting your thermostat up at least 2 degrees;
• Turning off and unplug electronics not in use;
• Using environmentally friendly household and cleaning products;
• Using a charcoal chimney or gas grill instead of lighter fluid when grilling;
• Avoiding using gasoline-powered equipment on Air Pollution Action Days;
• Not burning leaves and other yard waste.

Air quality forecasts, current air quality and tips on how you can reduce your emissions can be found at AirNow.gov.