Air Quality Alert issued for Thursday

Loveland, Ohio – The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for Thursday, June 17, for the Loveland Area.

The Agency expects to see levels of ozone in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.

Clicking the image below will show you the current air quality 24/7 in Loveland. This image is always on our Front Page, so it can also be accessed 24/7.

Do Your Share! Take these steps:

• Take the bus, carpool, bike or walk instead of driving
• Refuel your vehicle after 8 p.m.; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap
• Avoid idling your vehicle
• Combine trips or eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips
• Keep your vehicle maintained with properly inflated tires and timely oil changes
• Avoid use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on Air Quality Advisory days
• Avoid use of oil-based paints and stains on Air Quality Advisory days
• Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings
• Always burn clean, seasoned wood in outdoor fire pits, fireplaces and wood stoves
• Do not use fire pits or fireplaces for non-essential home heating on Air Quality Advisory days
• Conserve electricity

Jun 16, 2021

Air Quality Advisory has been declared for Loveland, on Friday, Jul 17

Active children and adults, people with heart and lung disease, including asthma, and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

Air Quality Forecast is 105 AQI for Thursday, July 17

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for Friday, July 17 for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana.

You can help protect those most vulnerable

• Take the bus, carpool, bike or walk instead of driving
• Refuel your vehicle after 8 p.m.; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap
• Avoid idling your vehicle
• Combine trips or eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips
• Keep your vehicle maintained with properly inflated tires and timely oil changes
• Avoid use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on Air Quality Advisory days
• Avoid use of oil-based paints and stains on Air Quality Advisory days
• Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings
• Always burn clean, seasoned wood in outdoor fire pits, fireplaces and wood stoves
• Do not use fire pits or fireplaces for non-essential home heating on Air Quality Advisory days
• Conserve electricity

You can check the current air quality by clicking on this image and entering a ZIP Code.

If you find that having this type of local news adds value to your quality of life, kindly consider contributing to the cost of producing it.

Jul 16, 2020

Unhealthy air alert extended into Wednesday, July 15 for the Loveland Area

Active children and adults, people with heart and lung disease, including asthma, and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

Air Quality Forecast is 105 AQI for Wednesday, July 15

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for Tuesday, July 15 for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana.

You can help protect those most vulnerable

• Take the bus, carpool, bike or walk instead of driving
• Refuel your vehicle after 8 p.m.; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap
• Avoid idling your vehicle
• Combine trips or eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips
• Keep your vehicle maintained with properly inflated tires and timely oil changes
• Avoid use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on Air Quality Advisory days
• Avoid use of oil-based paints and stains on Air Quality Advisory days
• Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings
• Always burn clean, seasoned wood in outdoor fire pits, fireplaces and wood stoves
• Do not use fire pits or fireplaces for non-essential home heating on Air Quality Advisory days
• Conserve electricityYou can check the current air quality by clicking on this image and entering a ZIP Code.

If you find that having this type of local news adds value to your quality of life, kindly consider contributing to the cost of producing it.

Jul 14, 2020

Unhealthy air alert issued for Tuesday, July 14 for the Loveland Area

Active children and adults, people with heart and lung disease, including asthma, and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

Air Quality Forecast is 101 AQI for Tuesday, July 14

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for Tuesday, July 14 for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana.

You can help protect those most vulnerable

You can help the situation locally by not using fire pits, lighting campfires, charcoal grills, or setting off fireworks.

If you conserve electricity by turning out lights and unplugging unused appliances and electronics during the alert it will reduce the demand for coal-burning power plants in our region.

Take the bus, carpool, bike, or walk instead of drive.
Refuel your vehicle after 8 p.m.; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap.
Do not idle your vehicle; exhaust contributes considerably to ozone formation.
Combine trips or eliminating unnecessary vehicle trips.
Keep your vehicle maintained with properly inflated tires and timely oil changes.
Avoid use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on Air Quality Alert days.
Avoid use of oil-based paints and stains on Air Quality Alert days.
Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings.
Suspend use of fire pits, campfires and charcoal grills on Air Quality Alert days.
Conserve electricity by turning out lights and unplugging unused appliances and electronics.

You can check the current air quality by clicking on this image and entering a ZIP Code.

If you find that having this type of local news adds value to your quality of life, kindly consider contributing to the cost of producing it.

Jul 13, 2020

Dirty air alert issued for Friday through Sunday for the Loveland Area

Active children and adults, people with heart and lung disease, including asthma, and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

Air Quality Forecast for Friday July 3 until Sunday July 5

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for Friday, July 3, 2020 through Sunday, July 5, 2020 for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana.

You can help protect those most vulnerable

You can help the situation locally by not using fire pits, lighting campfires, charcoal grills, or setting off fireworks.

If you conserve electricity by turning out lights and unplugging unused appliances and electronics during the alert it will reduce the demand for coal-burning power plants in our region.

Take the bus, carpool, bike, or walk instead of drive.
Refuel your vehicle after 8 p.m.; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap.
Do not idle your vehicle; exhaust contributes considerably to ozone formation.
Combine trips or eliminating unnecessary vehicle trips.
Keep your vehicle maintained with properly inflated tires and timely oil changes.
Avoid use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on Air Quality Alert days.
Avoid use of oil-based paints and stains on Air Quality Alert days.
Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings.
Suspend use of fire pits, campfires and charcoal grills on Air Quality Alert days.
Conserve electricity by turning out lights and unplugging unused appliances and electronics.

You can check the current air quality by clicking on this image and entering a ZIP Code.

If you find that having this type of local news adds value to your quality of life, kindly consider contributing to the cost of producing it.

Jul 2, 2020

Air quality alert issued for Sunday because of smoke and dust plum from Africa’s Saharan desert

Active children and adults, people with heart and lung disease, including asthma, and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. on Sunday. Some particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter can get deep into your lungs and some may even get into your bloodstream.

Air Quality Forecast for 06/28/20

Loveland, Ohio – Based on forecasted weather conditions and the impacts of the Saharan dust plume, the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for Sunday, June 28.

The Agency expects levels of particulate matter in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range.

CBS news reports: What’s been called the most significant dust cloud in 50 years has now shrouded the U.S. Gulf Coast in a thick, dusty haze. The dust layer, which originated in the Sahara desert and drifted across the Atlantic, is forecast to continue moving north and east through the weekend, impacting areas from Texas and Florida all the way up to as far north as the Canadian border.

Both COVID 19 and the particulate matter from the Sahara attack the respiratory system. Those persons already considered part of the “vulnerable” population during the pandemic are most at risk, as well as infants and toddlers with developing lungs.

An expansive dust storm has been crossing the Atlantic Ocean, traveling from the Sahara Desert to Central America and the Gulf of Mexico. @NASA satellites can track tiny particles in the air — known as aerosols — such as dust. https://t.co/oo8XEfwUUx pic.twitter.com/QxM4eV4Llh

— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) June 26, 2020

You can help protect those most vulnerable

You can help the situation locally by not using fire pits, lighting campfires, charcoal grills, or setting off fireworks.

If you conserve electricity by turning out lights and unplugging unused appliances and electronics tomorrow it will reduce the demand for coal-burning power plants in our region.

If you must drive a vehicle and have a choice, consider an electric, hybrid, or gasoline-powered – over diesel. Diesel fuel is notorious for emitting dirty particulate emissions.

Use the vehicle that gets the best mileage and do not idle your vehicle.

Combine trips or eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips.

You can check the current air quality by clicking on this image and entering a ZIP Code.

What is PM, and how does it get into the air?Size comparisons for PM particles

PM stands for particulate matter (also called particle pollution): the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. Others are so small they can only be detected using an electron microscope.

Particle pollution includes:

PM₁₀: inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller; and
PM_2.5 : fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller.
- How small is 2.5 micrometers? Think about a single hair from your head. The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter – making it 30 times larger than the largest fine particle.

Sources of PM

These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals.

Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires.

Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles.

What are the Harmful Effects of PM?

Particulate matter contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Some particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter can get deep into your lungs and some may even get into your bloodstream. Of these, particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, also known as fine particles or PM_2.5, pose the greatest risk to health.

Fine particles are also the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in parts of the United States, including many of our treasured national parks and wilderness areas.

Learn more about health and environmental effects

If you find that having this type of local news adds value to your quality of life, kindly consider contributing to the cost of producing it.

Jun 27, 2020

Protecting children and the elderly during Air Quality Alert issued for Thursday

The Ohio EPA is predicting that the ozone level will be 107 on Friday.

Predicted Air Quality Index (AQI) for the Loveland Area

107

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

Health Message: Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Steps you should take to protect you or your children’s health

Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Take more breaks, do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower.

People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy.

Do Your Share!

Carpool, bike or walk instead of driving.
Use your most fuel efficient vehicle and drive gently.
Keep your motorcycle in the garage. They don’t have the pollution controls modern passenger vehicles do.
Refuel your vehicle after 8 PM; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap.
Avoid idling your vehicle. (Avoid drive-thru windows.)
Combine trips and eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips
Do not use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment
Do not use of oil-based paints and stains
Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings.
Do not use fire pits.
Conserve electricity by turning off unnecessary lights.
Turn your air conditioner thermostat up and use room fans for cooling.
Save the power boating for another day.
Initiate an Air Pollution Alert Day policy where you work; whether that be a company you own, an employee, a local government agency you work for, or a school district.

Sign up for Enviroflash and Start Receiving Your Air Quality Forecast

Children and Air Pollution

Children face special risks from air pollution because their lungs are growing and because they are so active and breathe in a great deal of air.

Just like the arms and legs, the largest portion of a child’s lungs will grow long after he or she is born. Eighty percent of their tiny air sacs develop after birth. Those sacs, called the alveoli, are where the life-sustaining transfer of oxygen to the blood takes place. The lungs and their alveoli aren’t fully grown until children become adults. In addition, the body’s defenses that help adults fight off infections are still developing in young bodies. Children have more respiratory infections than adults, which also seems to increase their susceptibility to air pollution.

Furthermore, children don’t behave like adults, and their behavior also affects their vulnerability. They are outside for longer periods and are usually more active when outdoors. Consequently, they inhale more polluted outdoor air than adults typically do.

^{Read on at The American Lung Association…}

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Jul 18, 2018

Smog Alert for Friday: Here is how you can help protect children and the elderly

The Ohio EPA is predicting that the ozone level will be 130 on Friday.

Predicted Air Quality Index (AQI) for the Loveland Area

130

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

Health Message: Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Steps you should take to protect you or your children’s health

Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Take more breaks, do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower.

People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy.