KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — If you are sensitive to air pollution or have lung issues, you should make plans to limit your time outdoors.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issued a "Code Orange" air quality health advisory for the Knoxville area that will remain in effect through Sunday.
Also, the county's air quality management alert said in a recording Monday that open burning was banned for the day due to an air quality alert.
TDEC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Saturday there are elevated levels of ozone and particle pollution in the area.
Ozone, in particular, is forecast to be a concern for some on Sunday. TDEC's forecast shows Monday will be an 'Orange' day, which means ozone pollution levels will be unhealthy for sensitive groups -- such as people with lung diseases like asthma, children and teens, older adults, and people who stay physically active outdoors for six or more hours a day.
The EPA said those groups should reduce their exposure to pollution by choosing less strenuous activities or shortening the amount of time they are active outdoors.
When we have sunny days, hot temperatures and light winds, ground-level ozone concentrations can become elevated as the sunlight and heat interact with pollution in the emissions from cars.
You can check current air quality levels at the EPA's AirNow.gov website.