The Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone Alert for Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Lawton today because levels are unhealthy for sensitive groups. The affected areas include Guthrie and Edmond.
The DEQ says on its website that: “people with lung diseases, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors may be particularly sensitive to ozone. Unhealthy levels of ozone can lead to a variety of problems such as respiratory system irritation, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, increased susceptibility to infection, coughing or difficult breathing, and permanent lung damage. These symptoms are worsened by exercise and heavy activity.”
The DEQ lists simple steps people can take to improve air quality like carpooling, riding a bike and fueling cars at cool parts of the day to prevent gas fumes from heating up and creating ozone.