PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Air pollution advisories were issued Wednesday afternoon for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties after officials detected elevated levels of ozone that could affect residents with pre-existing respiratory ailments.
- Air pollution advisories issued for Hillsborough, Pinellas
- Counties have Air Quality Index of 'unhealthy for sensitive groups'
- Last time Pinellas had same Air Quality Index was in 2017
According to county officials, both counties experienced an Air Quality Index of "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" for ozone between 1 and 4 p.m.
Before Wednesday, the last time Pinellas County experienced that AQI was in 2017.
The advisories are in place until dusk Wednesday. Officials said that although ozone levels tend to decrease overnight, the elevated levels could recur Thursday.
Ozone, according to county officials, is caused by emissions of certain chemicals, called oxides, of nitrogen and volatile organic material in the presence of sunlight. The emissions can come from industrial facilities, vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors and chemical solvents.
Pinellas County officials said that elevated levels experienced Wednesday could have resulted from high-pressure atmospheric conditions, intense sunlight and/or brush fires in neighboring counties.