Air pollution advisory issued for Fourth of July weekend

Expected smoke and ozone from fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday prompted the Clark County Department of Air Quality to issue an advisory on Thursday.

The advisory goes into effect from Saturday through Sunday, the department said in a news release.

Dust from smoke and ground-level ozone can aggravate respiratory diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as heart diseases, it said, advising everyone to limit strenuous outdoor activities. It also said children and elderly people should stay indoors.

The air quality agency also said windows should be closed and for people to run air conditioners in their homes and vehicles, making sure the air filters are clean.

To reduce ozone, the agency also recommends:

— Fill up your vehicle gas tanks after sunset, and don’t top off or spill gasoline.

— Plan errands so that they can be done in a single trip, possibly using mass transit or carpool.

— Ride a bicycle or walk whenever it’s safe and practical.

— Turn off lights and home electronics when not in use.

— Consider low-maintenance landscaping, which would use less water and would not require powered lawn tools for maintenance.

As of Thursday, unhealthy levels of air pollution were not occurring.

Contact Ricardo Torres at rtorres@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0381. Find him on Twitter: @rickytwrites.