AIR QUALITY ALERT EXPLAINED
Monday, February 4th, 2008 -- 12:07 PM
The DNR's air quality alert for a number of area counties expired at noon Monday, but what is an air quality alert, anyway?One of our listeners called asking that very question. We had to admit we didn't really know.
Anne Bogar (BOH-gahr), an air management specialist with the DNR, says alerts are issued due to persistent elevated levels of fine particles in the air.
"It can be combustions sources, it can be pollution that travels a distance from power plants or industrial sources, but it can also be local sources," Bogar says. "It can be attributed by automobiles, wood smoke in the air. Any kind of fine particle emitted."
These conditions aren't necessarily the result of a specific "event", such as a major fire?but certainly could be, Bogar says.
The DNR has a statewide network of air monitors.
"These often tend to occur in large geographic areas, so, while we don't have a monitor in every single county, we can also see a pattern," Bogar says.
During air quality alerts, conditions are considered unhealthy for people with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. Those people are advised to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities.
On The Web:
[url=http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/air/aq/health/status.asp]DNR Air Quality Site[/url]
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.