The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission issued an air quality alert July 5 for the Columbus area as Canadian wildfire smoke, fireworks emissions and sunny weather were all predicted to lower the region’s air quality.
Partly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 90s will promote ozone formation, while light winds will allow pollutants to build up, according to a Planning Commission news release. Columbus’ Air Quality Index score, a number from 0-500 with higher values meaning more polluted air, is expected to reach 101.
Air quality scores from 101-150 indicate the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, which may include active children, older adults and people with lung diseases like asthma or COPD. During an alert, people in such groups should limit their outdoor activities or go outside in the morning, when pollutants are lowest, according to the Planning Commission.
Columbus’ air quality score is predicted to fall back into the moderate range of 51-100 on July 6.
Breaking and trending news reporter Nathan Hart can be reached at NHart@dispatch.com, at @NathanRHart on X and at nathanhart.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Air quality alert issued in Columbus due to wildfire smoke, fireworks