What This Story Is About
- TDEC has issued a Code Orange air quality alert for parts of Middle Tennessee, including Nashville, through Thursday.
Why It Matters
- Children, seniors and those with asthma or upper respiratory conditions could experience severe breathing issues.
- Sensitive individuals are urged to limit their time outdoors through Thursday evening. Stagnant conditions are expected to clear this weekend when incoming rain improves air quality.
For Context
- High heat, sunlight and a lack of wind create a chemical reaction with vehicle and industrial emissions, producing ground-level ozone (smog).
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A stagnant stretch of hot, dry weather has prompted state officials to issue an air quality alert for parts of Middle Tennessee, effective through 8 p.m. Thursday.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has declared a “Code Orange” due to unusually high levels of ozone building up across the region.
What does the air quality alert mean?
A persistent dome of high pressure, light winds, and hot, dry conditions have allowed ground-level ozone to accumulate. Ground-level ozone — often referred to as smog — is formed when pollutants from vehicles, factories and other sources react chemically in the presence of strong sunlight and heat…