Air quality in Central Florida, including around Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, is currently classified as “unhealthy.”
Some Florida residents are receiving text messages and notices informing them of the unhealthy air. According to AirNow.gov, the AQI (Air Quality Index) for Orlando, Florida is 154, putting it in the red category. The primary pollutants right now are fine particles (PM2.5). AirNow has the following warnings for this AQI:
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
- Keep outdoor activities short.
- Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.
Everyone else – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:
- Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.
- Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.
- Be active outdoors when air quality is better.
Particles found in dust and smoke (PM10) are also at a moderate AQI of 59 (yellow). AirNow has this warning for the lower AQI: “If you are unusually sensitive to particle pollution, consider reducing your activity level or shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.”
One of our reporters snapped the above photo of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa through a hazy sky this morning.
The unhealthy air quality and hazy conditions are due to Canadian wildfires, spread south by a block of high pressure. According to Weather.com, wildfire smoke contains microscopic particles that are 30 times smaller than the diameter of a strand of hair. These particles can be made up of chemicals, metals, acids, soils, and dust, which can penetrate the bloodstream when breathed in.
The air quality is expected to improve over the next few days. Today will continue to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, while tomorrow is currently forecasted to be moderate. Thursday and Friday are expected to have good air quality.
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