The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has declared today, Thursday, Aug. 9, as the fifth Spare the Air Alert for smog in 2012. The district has determined that air quality will be at unhealthy levles.
There is no free transit and no ban on burning wood. The district recommend that Bay Area residents avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, when air quality is unhealthiest.
"With five Spare the Air Alerts already this summer and the hottest weather of the season likely yet to come, we need to do more to reduce air pollution," said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District, in a statement. "To do this, we must reduce the number of cars on Bay Area roads so we can avoid unhealthy air during high heat days."
Spare the Air alerts are issued to encourage residents to use transit, carpooling, working from home or biking twice a week to reduce air pollution.
Ozone pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy levels on Thursday. Ozone, or smog, can cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pain, trigger asthma and worsen bronchitis and emphysema, according to the district.
Visit sparetheair.org or 511.org for more information about commute alternatives.
Residents can check for Spare the Air Alerts by:
* Visiting sparetheair.org
* Calling the toll-free hotline 1-800-HELPAIR (435-7247)
* Signing up for email AirAlerts at sparetheair.org
* Downloading the Spare the Air iPhone or Android app
* Connecting with Spare the Air on Facebook, Google+ or Twitter - follow the hashtag #staalert on Twitter to get Spare the Air Alerts.
