Hot, Dry Weather Conditions Could Mean Elevated Ozone Levels

Rising temperatures in South Carolina may also mean an increase in health risks.

As the temperatures continue to climb, ground-level ozone concentrations in many counties could be on the uptick.

On Wednesday, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is predicting an Orange Ozone Action Day for 22 counties in South Carolina, including Greenville, Lexington, Richland and Pickens.

"When ozone levels are elevated, active children and adults as well as people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion," said Myra Reece, chief of DHEC's Bureau of Air Quality, in a news release. "Ground-level ozone is formed when hot, dry, stagnant weather conditions exist. When that happens, emissions from vehicles contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone."

Reece said ways residents can help limit the formation of ground-level ozone by carpooling, staying in at lunch, avoiding letting your vehicle idle and by using mass transit.

DHEC's daily forecast for ground-level ozone can be found here.