June 11, 2024 – Following the impacts of the 2023 wildfire season, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are asking residents to monitor air quality to protect their health and reduce air pollution. The Illinois EPA issues daily air quality forecasts, based on the federal Air Quality Index (AQI), for 14 sectors in Illinois, available at www.airnow.gov.
In 2023, Illinois experienced unprecedented air quality conditions due to wildfires. Officials emphasize the importance of precautions when air quality declines. Resources include the AirNow.gov website, free air quality forecasts, alerts through the EnviroFlash program, and the AIRNow App for smartphones.
“Checking the local air quality should go hand-in-hand with checking local weather, and AirNow.gov is a valuable resource, especially for individuals with respiratory and pulmonary disease. Illinois EPA continually monitors air quality conditions throughout the state and makes real-time data available as well as forecasted air quality so residents can plan their day accordingly.” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim.
“Smoke from distant wildfires can impact air quality right here in Illinois. Poor air quality can lead to respiratory issues and other health concerns, especially in the very young, very old, and those who are medically vulnerable. Please use the free AIRNow app to understand your current environment and then take the appropriate precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from the effects of poor air quality.” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra.
Following the 2023 air quality conditions, Illinois officials established new guidelines for issuing air quality messages to the public and providing additional guidance for public health measures. The Illinois EPA has expanded the Air Pollution Action Day program to include all 14 sectors where air quality is forecasted in Illinois, beyond the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to reduce contributions to air pollution by reducing transportation, keeping engines properly tuned, using environmentally friendly products, and conserving electricity.
For more information, visit HERE.
By: Isaiah Bradford
