The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency have issue an air pollution advisory, which is in effect today. The advisory is in effect owing to 'ground-level ozone' concerns for Clark, Greene, Miami, and Montgomery counties.

Ground-level ozone also known as smog is considered as a respiratory irritant. The smog is formed when emissions from gas-powered engines get mixed with bright sunlight. Conditions are said to be favorable for the formation of smog, as the predictions are for sunny conditions, winds and temperatures in the 90s.

As per the planning commission, the Air Quality Index is expected to be around 101 today, the lowest level for air and is considered to be not good for health of sensitive people. In the advisory, residents have been asked to take steps to reduce the development of ground-level ozone.

The advisory read that people should avoid driving, if possible. They can opt from measures like carpool and public transportation. Try to refuel vehicles after 8pm or not at all. Reduce the usage of small, gasoline-powered engines like lawnmowers, chainsaws, power trimmers and shredders.

Experts said that using a small engine for an hour is equivalent to running a car for 11 hours. On Thursday afternoon, the air quality levels will be at unhealthy levels in parts of Rhode Island, predicted the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

The Department of Health said that unhealthy levels of ozone can cause throat irritation, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, aggravation of asthma and other respiratory ailments.