Wednesday, June 11, 2014 | 11:57 a.m.
Weather conditions, wildfires and other factors prompted Clark County officials to issue an air-quality advisory today.
In a news release, the Clark County Department of Air Quality said several contributors led to issuance of the smoke and ground-level ozone advisory:
• Wildfires burning near Mexicali at the Mexico-California border.
• A mulch pit fire northeast of the Las Vegas Valley
• Weather conditions
• Existing levels of pollutants.
The advisory is in effect throughout today, but the department said unhealthy levels of air pollution were not occurring at this time. Should that occur, the department would issue an alert.
Ground-level ozone can build up during the afternoon hours due to a combination of several factors, including strong sunlight, hot temperatures, and pollutants from automobiles and other sources such as transport and wildfires.
Unhealthy doses of ground-level ozone can reduce lung function and worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma or bronchitis. Exposure to ozone also can induce coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath even in healthy people.
When ozone levels are elevated, everyone should limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially people with respiratory diseases.
Anyone experiencing breathing difficulties or medical conditions related to air quality should visit a doctor.
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