2-Day Spare The Air Alert Issued For Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CA — A "Spare the Air" alert for Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23 was issued Thursday for the San Francisco Bay Area. Summertime alerts such as these happen when the ground-level ozone, or "smog," exceeds federal health-based standards, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Concentrations of ground-level ozone pollution are forecast to be unhealthy in the region. High levels of ozone pollution are harmful to breathe, especially for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions, the air quality district said in issuing the two-day alert.

"On these Spare the Air days, we urge residents to cut back on any activities that cause pollution — such as driving, using oil-based paints, gasoline-powered lawn mowers, or household aerosol products like hair sprays," the district stated. "People who are sensitive to unhealthy air are advised to limit their time outdoors, particularly in the afternoon hours."

According to BAAQMD, exhaust from vehicles on Bay Area roads accounts for more than half of the air pollution in the region. Bay Area residents are asked to drive less to reduce smog and improve air quality in the region. Residents are also encouraged to consider an all-electric vehicle as their next vehicle purchase to help reduce the amount of gas powered vehicles that contribute to unhealthy smog.

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