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Aug 27, 2006

Wisconsin Air Quality Advisory In Effect

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is issuing an air quality advisory for nine counties in Southeastern Wisconsin effective from 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 26, 2006 until noon, Sunday, August 27, 2006. The counties covered by this advisory are Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Jefferson, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha.

The advisory is being issued because of persistent elevated levels of fine particles in the air. Fine particle pollution is composed of microscopic dust, soot, liquid droplets and smoke particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller. These fine particles come primarily from combustion sources, such as power plants, factories and other industrial sources, vehicle exhaust, and outdoor fires. Current weather conditions leading to this advisory are a stagnant and humid air mass.

The Air Quality Index is currently in the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for people in sensitive groups and others, including people who are not in sensitive groups but who are engaged in strenuous activities or exposed for prolonged periods of time. People in those sensitive groups include those with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. When an air quality advisory is issued, people in those groups are advised to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities.

There are several actions the public can take to reduce their contributions to this regional air quality problem.

      • Reduce driving when possible and don’t leave vehicle engines idling.
      • Postpone activities that use small gasoline and diesel engines.
      • Avoid burning leaves, brush, grass or wood.
      • Practice electrical energy conservation.

For current air quality readings in your area, call the Daily Air Hotline at: 1-866-DAILY AIR (1-866-324-5924).