Cleveland, Ohio – Residents of Northeast Ohio are being warned of unhealthy air quality through Friday as a regional ozone advisory takes effect. The poor air conditions may affect children, the elderly, and anyone with breathing problems.
Areas Affected by the Advisory
The ozone alert covers several counties, including Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Medina, Summit, and Portage. Communities from Lorain and Cleveland eastward to Ashtabula and Akron will experience poor air quality until midnight Friday night.
Why Is Air Quality Poor?
According to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, weather conditions are trapping smog close to the ground, causing ozone pollution to rise to unsafe levels for sensitive groups. The advisory was issued jointly with the Ohio EPA and local health officials.
What Residents Should Do
People at higher risk are urged to:
- Limit outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise
- Monitor air quality readings at airnow.gov
- Sign up for real-time updates at enviroflash.info
All residents are encouraged to reduce pollution by:
- Using bikes or public transport
- Working from home if possible
- Avoiding unnecessary car trips
- Refueling vehicles after sunset
- Postponing lawn mowing until after the advisory ends
Even healthy individuals should take care, as pollution can worsen asthma and other breathing problems.
Advisory Duration and Updates
The ozone advisory remains in effect until midnight Friday. If weather conditions don’t improve, further alerts may be issued.
