Cleveland, Ohio, is under an Air Quality Advisory from midnight tonight through midnight Wednesday, July 23, due to a spike in ground-level ozone. The rising ozone levels, influenced by stagnant weather conditions and regional pollution, are expected to make the air unhealthy, especially for sensitive groups such as children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory issues.
Areas Affected and Impacts
The advisory covers Northeast Ohio, including counties like Lorain, Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage, and Ashtabula. Cities such as Cleveland, Akron, Mentor, Medina, and surrounding areas are expected to experience “unhealthy for sensitive groups” air quality. This means the air could cause health problems for those with asthma, lung disease, or other respiratory conditions.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
To minimize the risks, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) recommends that residents limit outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise, during the advisory period. Those most at risk include children, seniors, and people with asthma or other lung diseases. For commuters, it’s advised to combine trips, use public transportation, or work from home if possible.
Local agencies are also encouraging residents to take additional steps to help reduce pollution. This includes avoiding unnecessary engine idling, refueling cars after sunset, and delaying lawn mowing until air quality improves.
Monitoring the Situation
As the weather conditions remain dry and calm, the ozone levels could worsen, leading to more severe air quality. Residents are urged to monitor real-time air quality readings at airnow.gov and sign up for updates via text alerts from enviroflash.info. The Cleveland Division of Air Quality, Ohio EPA, and local partners will continue to provide updates, and the advisory will remain active through Wednesday night.
Keeping the Air Clean
While ozone levels are high, everyone can play a part in improving air quality. Reducing pollution and following the recommended precautions can help protect vulnerable individuals and keep the environment cleaner. It’s important to stay informed about changes in air quality and adjust your activities accordingly.
