Today's air quality alert is issued because air pollution levels have reached unhealthy or potentially unhealthy levels for some people. The Air Quality Index (AQI), a tool used to communicate air quality, categorizes levels of pollution and related health concerns. When the AQI exceeds 100, the air quality is considered unhealthy either for sensitive groups or for everyone at higher values. Air quality alerts indicate that pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 or PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, or nitrogen dioxide have reached levels that pose health risks, especially to sensitive individuals, and precautionary measures are advised.
In the specific case of today's alert, it reflects conditions where air pollutants might be elevated enough to trigger an advisory for reducing outdoor activities or other protective actions, particularly for people with respiratory conditions or other sensitivities.
