Air quality in Tri-Cities deteriorating

Air quality in the Tri-Cities has deteriorated to a level that could be unhealthy for many people, according to the Benton Clean Air Agency.

The quality is rated as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

Infants, children, pregnant women, adults over than 65, and people who have had a stroke or who have heart disease, lung disease, asthma or diabetes should limit time spent outdoors.

The National Weather Service has issued an air stagnation advisory for the Tri-Cities through at least 10 a.m. Thursday. A strong temperature inversion has trapped pollutants near the ground.

Fog, at least in the mornings and evenings, is expected to persist in the Tri-Cities through the next six days. Thursday may be the exception, with mostly cloudy skies forecast by the weather service.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 10:46 AM with the headline "Air quality in Tri-Cities deteriorating."