Air quality warning in effect for Sarasota County

Sarasota County has issued an air advisory for elevated particulate matter levels that fall within the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category per Environmental Protection Agency national ambient air quality standards for public health. 

This air advisory is in effect until dusk Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The inhalable particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream. Elevated levels were detected on Tuesday at both the Bee Ridge and Jackson Road air monitoring stations.   

Emissions from ongoing Canadian wildfires paired with wind from the northeast are impacting air quality along the East Coast of the U.S. Wind conditions are forecast to continue to bring these emissions into Sarasota County, corresponding to a higher air quality index than the typical “good” range.

People with respiratory ailments may experience health effects during this air advisory and may want to consider limiting their outdoor activities. The general public is not likely to be affected.