Air Quality Forecast For Metro Denver, Boulder County: June 19

DENVER, CO — Pollution levels along the Front Range and Eastern Plains are expected to decrease Saturday, public health officials said.

Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the 'good' to 'moderate' range until 8 p.m. Saturday in Denver's metro area and Boulder County cities, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said.

"Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion," the agency said in its alert.

Metro Denver is the 8th worst metro area in the nation for high ozone days, according to the American Lung Association's 2021 "State of the Air" report released in April.

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.

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Fine particulate matter concentrations along the Front Range and Eastern Plains are expected to be in the 'good' to 'moderate' categories Saturday, and visibility is also expected to be 'good' or 'moderate.'

Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide levels are expected to be in the 'good' category, health officials said.

>> Read the full air quality advisory here.