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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Code Orange Air Quality Alert has been issued for Metro Nashville on Wednesday afternoon.

Aside from it being a hot day, there are some groups of people who should limit their time outdoors because of the air quality. However, the general public does not need to be concerned. A Code Orange means that people with respiratory issues, like asthma, COPD, or heart/lung disease should limit any rigorous activities or exercise outside. It is also recommended that children and elderly should not spend more than six hours outdoors during a Code Orange Alert.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you. It focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has assigned a specific color to each category so the public can quickly determine if air pollution is reaching unhealthy levels in their community.

An alert is typically issued when the air quality index (AQI) is between 101 to 150.

The Air Quality Index is updated daily, Monday through Friday, at approximately 9:00 a.m. CT.