Air pollution advisory issued in Hillsborough County for today | Environment

Riverview, Florida - The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County has issued an Air Pollution advisory due to elevated levels of the pollutant ozone.

This advisory was in effect as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, and remains in effect until dusk today, Wednesday, May 11.

Officials say ozone levels reached 66 parts per billion (PPB) at the E.G. Simmons Park monitoring station in Ruskin yesterday afternoon.

The levels were forecasted to stay at a high level, resulting in an eight-hour average greater than the acceptable standard of 75 PPB. A level of 76 PPB for an 8 hour average translates to an Air Quality Index of 101.

Air Quality Index values from 101 - 150 are considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory ailments, the elderly, or the very young may want to take this into consideration when planning any outside activities.