Kansas City region experiencing high levels of particulate matter

CONTACTS:
Karen Clawson, Air Quality Program Manager, kclawson@marc.org, 816-701-8255
Kristin Johnson-Waggoner, Public Affairs Director, kjohnsonwaggoner@marc.org, 816-701-8219

People should limit strenuous outdoor activity

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Air Quality Program encourages residents across the region to limit outdoor activity on Monday, Aug. 2. Smoke from wildfires in Canada swept into the Kansas City region over the weekend. While there are increased levels of particulate matter from the fires, the MARC Air Quality Program is not issuing an Ozone Alert because ozone levels are in a healthy range.

“We recommend all area residents limit outdoor activity because of the elevated levels of particulate matter,” said MARC Air Quality Program Manager Karen Clawson. “This is especially true for people who are currently sick with respiratory illnesses, have heart or lung disease, older adults and children. The particulate matter from smoke can negatively impact health, and the smoky conditions are expected to last at least through tomorrow.”

MARC’s Air Quality Program monitors air quality throughout the bistate Kansas City region. Stay informed by visiting AirQKC.org and following the Air Quality Program on Twitter at www.twitter.com/airQKC.

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About the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC)
The Mid-America Regional Council serves as the nonprofit association of city and county governments and the metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region. Governed by a board of 33 local elected officials, MARC provides a forum for the nine counties and 119 cities in the region to work together to advance social, economic and environmental progress throughout the region.