Smoke, Pollution In Metro Denver: Monday Forecast

DENVER, CO — Pollution in Denver's metro area has improved since Saturday, but smoke and ozone remain, public health officials said.

Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the 'moderate' to 'high moderate' categories Monday in west and south metro Denver.

Fine particulate matter concentrations from wildfire smoke along the Front Range and foothills is expected to be in the 'moderate' category Monday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said.

"Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion throughout the Front Range region on Monday," the agency said.

Visibility in Denver is expected to be in the 'poor' category again on Monday, health officials said.

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The combination of the smoke and the ozone has made it difficult for many Coloradans to enjoy a summer outdoors. More than 50 action day alerts for ozone have been issued for metro Denver since May.

Ozone pollution, often called smog, forms when gases that come out of tailpipes and smokestacks, among other sources, come into contact with sunlight. Ozone is "one of the most dangerous and widespread pollutants in the U.S.," the lung association said.

Ozone can damage people's airways, make their lungs more susceptible to infection and aggravate lung diseases, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

>> Read the full air quality advisory here.