The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) issued a Code Orange air quality alert for the Atlanta metro area, including Cobb County, for Thursday, Sept. 17.
The alert means outdoor air is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups during the late afternoon and early evening, when ozone concentrations peak. Children, people sensitive to ozone, and people with heart or lung disease should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during those hours, the EPD said.
The agency issued the alert at 1:59 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, and the National Weather Service (NWS) Peachtree City office relayed it to the public, the Cobb County Courier reported.
What Code Orange means
A Code Orange designation puts the Air Quality Index (AQI) between 101 and 150. The general public is unlikely to feel effects. The air can be dangerous for children, older people and anyone with respiratory or heart conditions.
Vehicle emissions, industrial activity and weather patterns that trap pollutants near the ground all contribute to elevated ozone. Thursday's forecast calls for sunny skies and a high near 93 degrees with calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon, according to the NWS forecast for the Cobb County area. Those conditions can keep ozone close to the surface.
What residents should do
The EPD advises at-risk groups to reduce outdoor activities during late afternoon and early evening hours.
The alert does not specify an exact end time. The EPD directs residents to airnow.gov for real-time air quality readings.
Not the first this summer
The Atlanta metro area saw a similar Code Orange alert on Aug. 19, with the same guidance about limiting outdoor exertion during peak ozone hours.
East Cobb residents who want to track conditions throughout Thursday can check airnow.gov for updated readings.
