COUNTYWIDE : Health Officials Issue Smog Alert

High smog levels caused the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District to issue a health alert advisory Tuesday afternoon for Simi Valley and Moorpark.

The alert, issued between 2 and 6 p.m., cautioned against heavy exercise and warned the elderly and infirm to remain indoors. The forecast for today is for cleaner air, and an alert is not expected to be issued, said Kent Field, the district’s meteorologist.

On Tuesday, ozone levels in Simi Valley and Moorpark reached 131 on the Pollutant Standard Index, the level at which the Air Resources Board requires the district to issue a health warning.

The advisory marks the fifth time this year that the district has issued an alert. The highest reading occurred Sept. 18 when the ozone measured 168 on the Pollution Standard Index in Simi Valley, Field said.

He said high temperatures and trapped air caused the ozone levels to soar on Tuesday. In Simi Valley, the high temperature was 97.

Air Quality Report

This chart shows the ozone levels for Ventura County. Ozone is an invisible irritant that impairs breathing. When it reaches 131 on a federal index, healthy people are advised to reduce physical activity.

Pollutant Standard Index

0-50 Good

51-100 Moderate

101-199 Unhealthful

200-299 Very unhealthful

300-500 Hazardous

Today’s Area Tuesday forecast Coastal 46 50 Inland Coastal 72 58 Conejo Valley 87 75 Ojai Valley 94 84 Simi Valley 131 113 Fillmore/Piru 93 92 Santa Paula na* 66

Source: Ventura County Air Pollution Control District

* Not available