Code Red air quality alert issued in Birmingham Metro: What you need to know

The Jefferson County Department of Health has issued a Code Red air quality alert for high levels of particle air pollution in the Birmingham Metro area. The alert is for Tuesday, March 11.

What is Code Red for particle pollution?

According to Air Now, a Code Red means the air is considered unhealthy to breathe.  

“Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.”

Air Now – Air Quality Index Basics

Prescribed burn and inversion

In a news release issued late Monday night, the Department of Health identified smoke from a large prescribed burn northwest of Jefferson County as the cause of the problem. 

Here is their description:

“Smoke from a large prescribed burn NW of the area on Monday has moved into the area and will get trapped under an overnight inversion. PM2.5 concentrations have already dramatically increased and will continue to do so overnight and will not decrease until the inversion breaks mid-morning. PM2.5 is expected to be in the red range, which triggers an Air Quality Alert.”

Take action Birmingham

EPA recommends people who belong to a sensitive health groups stay home and limit their exposure outdoors if all possible. Sensitive groups include residents with heart and lung disease, older adults, children and people with diabetes. For folks without pre-existing conditions, the prolonged exposure can still cause a myriad of problems including:

• Throat scratchiness
• Difficulty breathing
• Aggravated asthma symptoms
• Headaches
• Eye irritation 

Do your part: Help reduce air pollution today

Want to do your part to reduce particle pollution today? Below is a list of ways you can help from the Partners for Clean Air.

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