Air Quality in Lake Elsinore 'Unhealthy' for Sensitive Groups

The air quality in Lake Elsinore today is unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to a warning issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The agency issued an Air Quality Index of 109 Tuesday for the Lake Elsinore area.

"Althought the general public is not likely to be affected at this [Air Quality Index] range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air," according to the alert

Under the Air Quality Index used by SCAQMD, an AQI value of 50 represents good air quality with little potential to affect public health, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality. When AQI values reach above 100, air quality is considered to be unhealthy for certain sensitive groups of people.

The higher the AQI values climb above 100, increasingly more people may become susceptible to the effects of the unhealthy air, according to the agency.

To read more about air quality and to keep abreast of local conditions, click here.