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 has issued a “Code Orange Ozone Forecast” for Tuesday, August 2, 2011 for the Memphis Metropolitan Area.  The Memphis Metropolitan Area includes Shelby County, Tennessee, Crittenden County, Arkansas, and DeSoto County, Mississippi. A “Code Orange Ozone Advisory” means that the ozone levels are forecast to exceed the 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).  There will be 25-cent rides on MATA buses and trolleys tomorrow during the Ozone Action Day. Call 274-MATA, or visit www.matatransit.com for route information.

 

Today's Forecast: ORANGE ADVISORY   Forecast AQI Index:  101 – 150 Quality: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Ozone Reduction Tips: Refuel cars and mowers after 7:00 pm  Carpool and combine daily errands Drive less during peak hours or hot days

 

Under existing Air Quality Index guidelines, the Department expects the ozone levels 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.

For more information concerning air quality, contact the following sources:

The Shelby County Health Department                Pollution Control Section, (901) 544-7775                    http://www.midsouthcleanair.org/

 
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality-Planning and Air Quality Analysis Branch-Air Division, (501) 682-0767
http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/air/default.htm

 
The Arkansas Department of Health (501) 661-2000
http://www.healthyarkansas.com/environment/environment.html

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality-Air Standards and Planning-Air Quality, (601) 961-5134
http://www.deq.state.ms.us/MDEQ.nsf/page/Air_Ozone?OpenDocument