Chattanooga air quality index reaches code red again

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — On Tuesday morning, the air quality index reached a code red alert for fine particles. 

The index was considered to be in the unhealthy range.

The Chattanooga-Hamilton Co. Air Pollution Control Bureau updates air quality reports daily.

“The way that we are sitting in between the hills and the mountains, it’s said for trapping the hot air in,” Air Monitoring Manager (APCB) Claudia Gillman Acuña said.

The air quality is in part due to recent Canadian wildfires that have traveled down to the Southeast.

“This pattern that’s shaped up for right now, this is possibly going to repeat itself again throughout the rest of the summertime to where the atmosphere allows a lot of smoke to come down our direction and then it just gets stuck in place. So, we could see this happening very easily again anytime throughout the rest of the summer,” Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek said.

The bureau updated the alert to code orange later in the day.

While the air quality is seeming to improve over the course of the week, keep in mind safety concerns for sensitive groups. 

“Just take it easy. Short breaks if you’re working outside, work a little bit then go back indoors,” Gillman Acuña said.

The air quality index rated around 7 micrograms per cubic centimeter indoors compared to air ratings closer to 30 outside.

“It’s going to be going away slowly but is going to take a while for the smoke to really clear the area, so until it does, and the air quality gets better, indoors might be your best bet.”

Replace air filters regularly during warmer months and especially during unhealthy air conditions. 

Limit mowing and burning during this season to reduce pollution and exhaust.

Visit apcb.org for daily reports on the air quality index and how to stay safe.