Youngstown air quality dangerous tonight, agencies warn

The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments is warning Youngstown residents of unhealthy levels of ozone this evening.

At 5 p.m., the ozone reached 101, an unhealthy level for sensitive groups, Eastgate said in a statement.

Children and people with asthma are the groups most at risk, and active children and adults and people with respiratory disease face an increased likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort.

The U.S. EPA cautions that "active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion."

"Prolonged" generally means lasting four or more hours with short rest periods.

"Heavy exertion" is that which would increase the resting breathing rate four-fold or greater.