Third consecutive Spare the Air alert issued

“If people find themselves in the path of smoke, they should take normal precautions such as going indoors, putting air conditioners on recirculate and consulting with their doctors on dealing with health issues from the smoke”, said Ralph Borrmann, a spokesman for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Second-time offenders will receive a $500 ticket, last time it was $400.

A Spare the Air Alert is announced when the air quality in the Bay Area is found unhealthy.

Ozone, also known as, smog, can cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pain and worsen bronchitis and emphysema, among other health problems, according to the air district.

Carson City also was under an air quality warning Monday.

The alert is prompted by the combination of triple-digit inland temperatures, light wind and vehicle exhaust, which creates unhealthy air conditions in the region. Vigorous outdoor exercise should be undertaken only in the early morning hours when ozone concentrations are lower.

According to a report in SF Gate by Susana Guerrero, “A Spare the Air day will be in effect in the San Francisco Bay Area on Monday due to concentrations of ground-level ozone pollution, officials said”. Those groups include people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and small children. “You’re breathing more deeply, breathing more frequently and bringing more pollution into your body”.