Macon’s air quality reaches ‘unhealthy’ level, forecasters urge limited outdoor activity

Macon’s air quality was especially bad Monday morning, leaving people exposed to “unhealthy” irritants, according to multiple weather forecasters.

Macon’s Air Quality Index was over 100, according to AccuWeather and The Weather Channel, which falls into the “Unhealthy” range. The poor air quality left sensitive groups at risk of bad health effects.

The National Weather Service listed Macon’s Air Quality Index as high as 164 Monday morning, and urged people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers to take several steps to reduce risk of health issues:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
• Keep outdoor activities short.
• Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

Everyone else was urged to participate in less-strenuous activities and shorten the amount of time spent outdoors.

“Health effects can be immediately felt by sensitive groups,” AccuWeather said on its website. “Healthy individuals may experience difficulty breathing and throat irritation with prolonged exposure. Limit outdoor activity.”

High levels of fine particulate matter were causing the bad air quality, according to The Weather Channel. That’s matter that takes up less than 2.5 microns. Microns are extremely small — one-millionth of a meter.