Colorado public health officials issued an air quality alert that will run through Thursday evening, warning people across the Front Range that ozone levels are expected to rise to unhealthy levels for sensitive groups.
The ozone action day alert applies to the Front Range urban corridor, from Douglas County south of Denver to Larimer and Weld counties north of the city, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Hot, sunny and stagnant weather will create levels of ozone that are “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” state health officials said in the alert, which will remain in effect until 4 p.m. Thursday.
The highest ozone concentrations are expected south and west of Denver and along the Interstate 25 corridor, according to the alert.
Until the alert expires, active children and adults, people with lung disease and asthma and others sensitive to ozone in the affected areas should avoid rigorous outdoor activity during the heat of the day.
State officials said short-term exposure to unhealthy ozone levels can cause coughing; eye, nose and throat irritation; chest pain; difficulty breathing; and asthma attacks. Long-term exposure has been linked to both lung and heart disease.
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