Southwest Ohio extends air quality alert as Ohio EPA ends statewide advisory

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has discontinued the statewide air quality advisory put in place Thursday due to improving air quality, but the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency warns in an extended air quality alert that dangerous pollution continues.

Particle pollution as a result of drifting smoke from wildfires in Canada is beginning to decrease across Ohio leading to improved conditions statewide, according to a release from the Ohio EPA. The previous air quality advisory lasted until midnight on Thursday.

Yet the Southwest Ohio agency extended an air quality alert issued Wednesday until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, expecting levels of pollution that are "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

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Air quality alerts mean that pollution in the air can impact those with asthma, lung disease or heart disease. The Southwest Ohio agency advises that staying indoors is the best way for sensitive groups to stay protected against bad air quality.

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Combining trips, carpooling, or taking a non-fuel-powered method of transportation like walking or biking can prevent air quality from worsening.

Local air quality conditions can be found on the AirNow website.