The Chicago area is under an air quality alert until Wednesday night, weather officials have announced.
The alert, issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, applies to Cook County and surrounding McHenry, Kendall, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Grundy and Will counties, according to the National Weather Service. Northern Indiana will also be under an air quality alert starting at midnight.
The weather service’s Chicago office in a post Tuesday to social media attributed the alert to unhealthy ozone levels and warned air quality is expected to be at unhealthy levels for sensitive groups.
As part of its alert, the Illinois EPA will be declaring an air pollution action day through Wednesday night, weather officials said. Action days are declared when air quality is at least unhealthy for sensitive groups for two or more consecutive days.
Officials are encouraging active children and adults, especially those with pulmonary or respiratory disease, to limit prolonged activity outside. Officials are also urging area residents to reduce their pollution levels.
Alongside the air quality alert, weather officials have also warned of beach hazards in coming days. Waves of up to 7 feet and dangerous currents are expected at Lake Michigan beaches starting Wednesday evening through late Thursday night, according to the weather service.
Weather officials warn that swimming conditions will be life threatening, especially for inexperienced swimmers.