AIR QUALITY FORECAST ADVISORY—CODE ORANGE FOR OZONE

For Tuesday, July 18, 2017

MEMPHIS – In cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ); the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH); and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) has issued a “Code Orange Air Quality Forecast Advisory” for Tuesday, July 18, 2017 for the Memphis Metropolitan Area. The Memphis Metropolitan Area, as designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, includes Shelby County, Tennessee; Crittenden County, Arkansas; and DeSoto County, Mississippi. A “Code Orange Air Quality Forecast Advisory” indicates ozone levels are forecast to exceed the eight-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

Health Precautions:
Ozone Reduction Tips
Recommended During
“Code Orange Ozone Advisories

For active children and adults
For persons with respiratory
difficulties
Limit prolonged outdoor activities
during afternoon hours
High ozone levels can cause nose,
eye, throat, and lung irritation
High ozone levels can aggravate
existing conditions and lead to
increase potential for illness in this
sensitive group
Refuel cars and lawnmowers after 7:00 pm,
avoid spills and do not “top off” tanks
Carpool or mass transit
Combine errands instead of many separate
trips
Drive less, especially during peak hours or
hot days

Under existing Air Quality Index guidelines, ozone levels are expected to reach the classification of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”.  The forecast exceedance for tomorrow is expected as a result of stagnant conditions, increased temperatures, and decreased winds.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

(Orange)

(Advisory)
101 – 150
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
The air quality forecasts for DeSoto County, MS, are issued independently by MDEQ and may differ from the Memphis Metropolitan air quality forecasts issued by the SCHD.  For more information on the DeSoto County forecasts, please visit MDEQ Air Quality Forecast or call 601-961-5577.

 

For more information concerning air quality, contact one of the following: SCHD Pollution Control at (901) 222-9599 or www.shelbytnhealth.com; The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality-Planning and Air Quality Analysis Branch-Air Division at (501) 682-0767 or www.adeq.state.ar.us/air/default.htm; The Arkansas Department of Health at (501) 661-2000 or www.healthyarkansas.com/environment/environment.html; The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality-Air Standards and Planning-Air Quality at (601) 961-5577 or www.deq.state.ms.us/MDEQ.nsf/page/Air_Ozone?OpenDocument.

 

All modes of MATA transportation will be discounted to $0.25 on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 ONLY.