The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Air Pollution Action Day in the counties of Lake and McHenry counties on Thursday due to elevated particle pollution.
Regional air quality is expected to reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” orange category on the national Air Quality Index today due to Canadian wildfire smoke in the region.
This is the first Action Day issued by the Illinois EPA for 2025, Illinois IEPA officials announced on Illinois.gov.
Canadian wildfire smoke at the surface is expected throughout much of Illinois today, with the highest concentrations in the northern third of the state, officials said.
Hourly NowCast Air Quality Index readings may show higher categories than what is forecasted.
Individuals most at risk due to elevated air pollution, including ground-level ozone and particle pollution, are those with respiratory or pulmonary disorders and adults or children who are active outdoors.
Individuals with sensitive health conditions should consult their doctors and be aware of symptoms that may include wheezing, coughing, a rapid heartbeat, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
If symptoms worsen, people should call their physician or 911.
Businesses and residents in the region are encouraged to take precautions to reduce contributions to air pollution on Action Days. These include limiting driving, walking or biking if possible, conserving energy using environmentally friendly household and cleaning products, avoiding gasoline-powered equipment like lawnmowers and leaf blowers and notifying colleagues, friends, and family to help protect their health, officials said.
The U.S. EPA has developed an Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution at https://document.airnow.gov/air-quality-guide-for-particle-pollution.pdf.
Additional information on air quality and Air Pollution Action Days in Illinois is available at https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/air-quality/outdoor-air.html.