Code Orange Air Quality Again: Here's What To Do, Lacey

For the second day in a row, Lacey and Ocean County are under an air quality alert.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange alert for Friday, which means that air pollution concentrations could be problematic for those who are from “sensitive” groups -- children, senior citizens, and those of any age group who have heart or respiratory problems.

Those who fall into those categories should minimize strenuous activity or exercising outdoors, according to the alert.

So what does that mean? Do we really have to stay inside all day and close up the house?

Not necessarily, according to health experts.

• If you have asthma, be sure you are taking your medication and carry your albuterol, a common bronchodilator. Using a bronchodilator inhaler about 30 minutes before going outside can be helpful, according to an article on Health.com. Asthmatics can be particularly affected by ozone, according to the National Institutes of Health, because it is a highly reactive molecule that can irritate the lining of your airways and lungs.

“When people with poorly controlled asthma are exposed to just a little bit of ozone, the amount of inflammation in the lungs goes way up, and the airways become more twitchy,” said Dr. Darryl Zeldin, acting clinical director of environmental health sciences at NIH.

• If you prefer to exercise outdoors, consider reducing the time and intensity of your workout, especially if you have asthma. If you usually jog for 45 minutes, try walking for a half-hour instead.
• Avoid jogging or biking on roads with heavy traffic.
• Exercise early in the morning, or later in the evening, as ozone levels tend to peak between mid-afternoon and early evening, the NIH says.

Be smart. If you’re exercising and start to feel ill effects, stop.

After all, who really wants to waste day a sunny day?

This weekend is supposed to be packed with sunshine and warm temperatures. Friday’s high is expected to be about 90 degrees, and Saturday should be about the same. Sunday will be cooler by comparison, reaching the low 80s.

There is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms this weekend, with the highest possibility overnight Saturday into Sunday, but just a smattering of rain is expected.

(Air quality map via AirNow.gov)