Unhealthy Air, Ozone Advisory For Banning, RivCo Amid Heat

BANNING, CA — High temperatures have trapped ground-level ozone and disrupted air quality for Banning and much of Riverside County through 8 p.m. Saturday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District reported.

Further south, Lake Elsinore, as well as parts of Wildomar and Murrieta, will experience air quality that is "unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" into Wednesday, according to the SCAQMD. Temecula's air quality would remain in the moderate category.

People with heart or lung disease, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors may be sensitive and therefore at greater risk, the SCAQMD reported

"People in the sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion," according to the SCAQMD. I

The type of increased ground-level ozone forms closer to the Earth from chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds in sunlight.

• Ozone air pollution can cause respiratory health problems, including trouble breathing,
• asthma attacks, and lung damage.
• Research also indicates that ozone exposure can increase the risk of premature death.
• Children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with preexisting lung problems such as
  asthma may be more sensitive to the health effects of ozone.

Current SCAQMD air quality forecasts and advisories can be found at www.aqmd.gov or by telephone at 800-CUT-SMOG (800-288-7664). Hourly air quality forecasts can be accessed at http://www.aqmd.gov/forecast.