Code Orange Air Quality Alert extended through Tuesday
Tuesday, November 15th, 2016
A Code Orange Air Quality Alert has been extended through Tuesday for all of East Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said late Monday afternoon it was extending the Code Orange alert to Tuesday in the Chattanooga, Knoxville, Great Smoky Mountains and Tri-Cities areas due to intensifying wildfires along the plateau and in the Great Smoky Mountains.
A Code Orange Alert means ozone levels are expected to be at an air quality index (AQI) that’s “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
The general public shouldn’t be affected, but people with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from the presence of particles in the air.
“The biggest health threat from smoke comes from fine particles,” the Air Quality Alert said. “These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases.”
The air quality alert comes from continued wildfires burning throughout the Southeast. Smoke from those fires are blowing over parts of East Tennessee, triggering the alerts. At times during this incident, parts of East Tennessee have seen a Code Red Alert, meaning everyone may be at risk of experience negative health impacts.
