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Warm Weather, High Air Pollution Levels Hitting the Area Tuesday

By Emily Morris | August 20, 2013 9:56am
 The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency expects the air quality level to be at "orange" on Tuesday, meaning it could be unhealthy for certain groups of people.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency expects the air quality level to be at "orange" on Tuesday, meaning it could be unhealthy for certain groups of people.
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Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

CHICAGO — As warm weather rolls into Chicago for the week, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency warned of high air pollution levels that could especially affect certain groups of people on Tuesday.

The air quality index is expected to be at the "orange" level, meaning the pollution level could be unhealthy for "sensitive groups," which includes active children and adults as well as those with lung diseases such as asthma, according to the agency. Those affected are cautioned to limit the time they spend outside.

The agency has declared an "Air Pollution Action Day" alert, which is issued when ozone and particulate levels are at or above the unhealthy amount for sensitive groups. Counties affected include Cook, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Grundy and Will.

The alert, the first for the state in 2013, is in effect until midnight, according to the National Weather Service.

The high for Tuesday is expected to be 86 degrees, and temperatures could reach near 90 degrees on Wednesday, according to the weather service.