Arkansas officials issue Code Orange Air Quality Alert

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Officials with the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert on Sept. 18 due to high ozone levels.

Officials said the code orange means outdoor activity may be unhealthy for young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems. Precautions include limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, they said.

To help reduce ozone emissions, officials are asking Arkansans to follow these recommendations:

• Refuel cars and lawnmowers before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m., avoid fuel spills, and do not “top off” tanks
• Carpool or use mass transit
• Combine errands instead of separate vehicle trips
• Do not drive unnecessarily, especially during peak commuting hours or during the hottest part of the day

DEQ officials said the alert was made in cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Health because forecasted ozone concentrations were 70 parts per million, which is above the 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issues color codes for air quality levels, DEQ officials explained, from green for good, yellow for moderate, orange for unhealthy for sensitive groups, and red for unhealthy for everyone.

To check the daily ozone forecasts for Arkansas, visit ADEQ.State.AR.US. To see daily U.S. ozone levels maps, visit AirNow.gov.