An ozone alert is in effect from 4 p.m. today until 4 p.m. Monday for the Front Range corridor from El Paso County north to Larimer and Weld counties, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said this afternoon.
Ground-level ozone is expected to reach the “moderate” to “unhealthy” levels.
“Active children and adults and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Sunday and Monday,” the health department stated in a warning.
Areas that are not affected by thunderstorms will be especially prone to worse air quality.
Ground-level ozone occurs when air pollution — including vehicle exhaust, paint and cleaners — heat up under sunlight.
“Exposure to ground-level ozone can cause acute respiratory problems, reduced lung capacity and inflammation of lung tissues and can trigger asthma attacks,” according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
