Much of the state came under an air quality alert Friday. The Iowa Department of natural Resources issued the warning over high ozone levels. Iowa D-N-R environmental specialist Sean Fitzsimmons says ozone levels rise with warm temperatures and clear skies.  “When we have an eight hour average when the ozone level exceeds 70 parts per billion that’s a level that falls in the sensitive groups category.”

Fitzsimmons says most people can go about their business without noticing any problem. “A typical person wouldn’t have difficulties at those levels but if you had an asthmatic child or elderly individual or people with respiratory problems, some of those large sensitive groups will start to have issues with breathing difficulties at those levels.”

He says ozone levels fall at night and when clouds move into the forecast.

(Radio Iowa)