RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolinians sensitive to air pollution should exercise caution this week as a plume of smoke from wildfires in Canada enters the state.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Air Quality (DAQ) issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day alert for much of central and eastern North Carolina for Wednesday.
Code Orange on the Air Quality Index (AQI) represents unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups. Older adults, children of any age, and people with respiratory conditions such as asthma should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Smoke can carry elevated levels of time particulate matter, or PM2.5, which consists of particles smaller than the width of human air.
These particles can reach deep into the lungs and aggravate asthma and other lung conditions and have been linked to heart conditions.
Smoke can also promote the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant that forms on warm, sunny days, and can also exacerbate heart and lung conditions like asthma.
DAQ monitors and forecasts ozone and PM2.5 daily using the Air Quality Index (AQI), along with the corresponding AQI color codes to help North Carolinians plan their outdoor activities.
Residents should continue to monitor air quality in their area throughout this week as conditions evolve.
For the latest air quality information statewide, visit the Air Quality Portal online. DEQ’s website has a list of resources for keeping safe around wildfire smoke.
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