Air Quality Alert: Saharan Dust Forces a “CODE ORANGE” for Hamilton County

Chattanooga, Tenn.

Hot temperatures are hitting hard, and now there’s another reason to consider staying indoors for some groups in Hamilton County. It’s **all about the air we breathe**.

The **Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau** has issued a **Code Orange air quality alert** for Friday. This warning indicates that the air quality is unhealthy for certain groups, including:

• People with heart or lung disease
• Older adults
• Children and teens

Steps to Stay Safe

If you or someone you know falls into any of these groups, here are some steps recommended by the APCB to reduce exposure to poor air quality:

• **Choose less strenuous activities** to avoid heavy breathing
• **Shorten the amount of time you’re outdoors**
• **Go somewhere with better air quality**

For everyone else, the advice is simple: **Enjoy your outdoor activities**, but stay informed.

Why It’s Important

We’re seeing how cross-continental conditions, like Saharan dust, can **impact our local air quality**. These dust particles travel thousands of miles and can exacerbate existing respiratory issues, making it especially important for vulnerable groups to take these warnings seriously.

Stay Updated

Check back later for more updates as we **learn more about these air quality conditions**. For daily air quality information in Hamilton County, be sure to check this resource, which is updated each weekday around 9 a.m.

Stay safe and stay cool, Hamilton County!