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Air quality alert issued for Monday as Kansas Citians urged to reduce emissions

The Kansas City skyline is seen on Friday, March 31, 2023.
The Kansas City skyline is seen on Friday, March 31, 2023. ecuriel@kcstar.com

An ozone alert has been issued for Kansas City starting Monday, meaning there will be unhealthy levels of ozone in the metro, according to an announcement by The Mid-America Regional Council.

During ozone alerts, it’s recommended that people — especially children and those with asthma — reduce or reschedule plans for any strenuous activities outdoors, according to MARC. Staying inside a well-ventilated and air-conditioned building is best.

If someone does have to be outdoors, it’s best to plan to be outside before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m., according to the alert.

Cutting down on emissions helps, too. MARC recommends that during the alert, those in the metro drive less, wait to refuel vehicles, delay mowing and other yard work that uses power equipment.

The alert encompasses Leavenworth, Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas, as well as Clay, Platte and Jackson counties in Missouri, according to the National Weather Service.

This is the second air quality alert issued this year in Kansas City.

Anna Spoerre
The Kansas City Star
Anna Spoerre covers breaking news for the Kansas City Star. Before joining The Star in 2020, she covered crime and courts for the Des Moines Register. Spoerre is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she studied journalism.
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