Summary
Thousands of residents in parts of Georgia and Tennessee have been advised to stay indoors due to unhealthy levels of air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported high levels of fine particle pollution, known as PM2.5, which can affect people's health.
Key Facts
- The EPA identified high levels of PM2.5 in regions of Georgia and Tennessee, including cities like Chattanooga and Dalton.
- High levels of PM2.5 can cause health issues such as coughing, irritation, and breathing problems.
- Sensitive groups, like children and the elderly, may experience more severe health effects.
- The EPA advises reducing outdoor activities and wearing respirators like N95 masks if going outside is necessary.
- PM2.5 pollution comes from sources like vehicles, industrial activities, and wildfires.
- The EPA uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure air pollution, where higher numbers mean worse air quality.
- The AQI levels range from "Good" to "Hazardous" with specific health advice for each category.
