The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency in partnership with OKI Regional Council of Governments changed the name of the Smog Alert program to Air Quality Advisory.

An Air Quality Advisory is a public message that is issued the day before the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency expects to see levels of air pollution that are unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and people with asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems, according to a press release. When issued, advisories are for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties in Ohio and Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky.

Levels of six main air pollutants are monitored to determine the region’s air quality as it relates to a series of health-based standards. For each of these pollutants, the U.S. EPA has established national air quality standards to protect public health.

Precautions everyone can take to help reduce air pollution:

•Taking the bus, carpooling, biking or walking instead of driving.

•Refueling your vehicle after 8 p.m.; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap.

•Not idling your vehicle.

•Combining trips or eliminating unnecessary vehicle trips.

•Keeping your vehicle maintained with properly inflated tires and timely oil changes.

•Avoiding use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on Air Quality Advisory days.

•Avoiding use of oil-based paints and stains on Air Quality Advisory days.

•Never burning leaves or other yard trimmings.

•Always burning clean, seasoned wood in outdoor fire pits, fireplaces and wood stoves.

•Not using fire pits or fireplaces for non-essential home heating on Air Quality Advisory days.

•Conserving electricity.

via Smog Alert program changes name to Air Quality Advisory.