If you live in the Upstate region of South Carolina, today is not the day for outdoor plans. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert has been issued from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, warning residents about unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone — a pollutant that can trigger breathing problems, especially for children, older adults, and those with asthma or heart conditions.
Even though skies may be clear and the sun is out, don’t be fooled — ozone pollution peaks on hot, sunny days like this one, and exposure can have serious health effects.
Who’s Affected?
This alert applies to a large portion of the Upstate, including:
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Greenville
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Spartanburg
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Anderson
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Clemson
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Gaffney
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Surrounding areas in the Piedmont corridor
If you live in or near these areas — or plan to travel through them — you’ll want to take precautionary steps, especially during the late morning to early evening hours when ozone levels are expected to be at their worst.
What Is Ground-Level Ozone — And Why Is It Dangerous?
Ground-level ozone isn’t something you can see or smell — but it can do real damage to your lungs.
It forms when sunlight reacts with vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The hotter and sunnier the day, the more ozone builds up in the air, especially near busy roads and urban centers.
Breathing in too much ozone can:
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Cause coughing, throat irritation, and chest tightness
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Trigger asthma attacks
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Reduce lung function, even in healthy adults
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Make outdoor exercise or prolonged exposure dangerous
This is why today’s alert targets sensitive groups first, but anyone spending time outdoors during peak hours could be affected.
What You Should Do Today
To stay safe during today’s ozone event, here’s what you should avoid — and what you can do:
Avoid:
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Prolonged outdoor activity from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Running or biking during peak hours
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Using gas-powered lawn equipment or grilling (which adds to ozone formation)
Do:
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Limit outdoor time to early morning or late evening
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Keep children and elderly people indoors during the alert period
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Run air purifiers if you’re sensitive to air quality changes
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Check local air quality indexes on your phone or weather apps
When Will It Improve?
Ozone levels should begin to drop after sunset, once temperatures cool and the sun dips below the horizon. By late evening Monday, the air quality is expected to return to more moderate levels.
However, if high heat continues throughout the week, similar alerts could be issued again, especially if wind conditions keep pollutants trapped near the surface.
Final Word: Clear Skies Can Be Deceptive — Don’t Let Today’s Air Catch You Off Guard
It might look like a perfect summer day, but what’s in the air could be harmful, especially for your lungs. Take this alert seriously, limit your exposure, and help reduce pollution by driving less, avoiding gas-powered tools, and staying indoors when possible.
