Weather
Air Quality Alert Issued For King And Pierce Counties
As temperatures broke through triple digits for a third day Monday, an air quality alert was issued for Washington's two largest counties.
SEATTLE — An air quality alert will remain in effect for King and Pierce counties until at least 9 p.m. Monday as high levels of ozone add another hazard to a historic run of extreme temperatures across Western Washington.
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issued the alert shortly before 11:30 a.m., while temperatures in Seattle and elsewhere were already in the triple digits.
Officials said the ozone readings were expected to be especially high — landing in the unhealthy range — in the Cascade foothills, from Issaquah eastward, and around North Bend and Enumclaw. For most, air quality in both of Washington's largest counties was forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In addition to extreme temps, we expect high levels of ozone pollution (smog) for the Cascade foothills of King and Pierce counties, particularly Issaquah east, North Bend, and Enumclaw. Sensitive groups should stay indoors and take additional precautions. https://t.co/5IDZcrMRK8 pic.twitter.com/f5B35C3RCX
— PS Clean Air Agency (@pscleanair) June 24, 2021
"Ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion," officials wrote. "It can also worsen preexisting respiratory conditions."
At noon, the agency's live air quality map already showed moderate readings across King and Pierce counties, with a few stations reporting unhealthy air.
Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find live air quality updates via the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
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