Smoke creeps over Silverton in 2020. The Salem area is under an air quality advisory this week due to increased smog levels. (Leslie Harvey/Special to Salem Reporter)

Salemites will see more smog in the air this week, Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality warned Tuesday.

The agency issued an air quality advisory Tuesday morning for the Willamette Valley and Portland metro area, stretching south down to Eugene. 

Elevated levels of ozone pollution, or smog, were responsible for the advisory with the agencies warning that the air quality could affect sensitive groups including children, people over 65, pregnant women and people with heart disease or respiratory conditions. 

Sensitive groups should limit their outdoor activities, DEQ recommended in a statement.

The agency also asked people to limit activities that cause pollution during a heat wave and instead limit driving by taking public transportation, refueling vehicles during evening hours, postpone lawn mowing, painting and using aerosol products and avoid engine idling. 

Ozone forms when hot temperatures and low winds combine with pollution from cars, gas-powered engines and chemicals in paints and aerosols. These air pollutants react with sunlight and heat to produce ozone and haze, according to a statement from DEQ.

Smog can irritate eyes, the nose and lungs and may contribute to breathing problems. If symptoms worsen, the agency suggests contacting a health care provider. 

Current air quality conditions can be viewed here. 

Southwest Clean Air Agency and Lane Regional Air Protection Agency joined in the designation which is expected to remain in effect until Saturday night.

-Caitlyn May

Salem Reporter