A southwest breeze in a hot, steamy airmass over the megalopolis of the Northeast will bring unhealthy ground level ozone to most of Southern New England on Friday. An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the Department of Environmental Protection in RI, MA, and CT.
The following information is from the RI DEM website
HEALTH VALUES
| Air Quality Rating | Air Quality Index (AQI) | 8-hour Ozone Concentration (ppb) |
|---|---|---|
| GOOD |
0-50 |
0-59 |
| MODERATE |
51-100 |
60-75 |
| UNHEALTHY |
101-150 |
76-95 |
| UNHEALTHY |
151-200 |
96-115 |
| VERY UNHEALTHY |
201-300 |
116-374 |
HEALTH EFFECTS
| Rating | Adverse Health Effects | Ways to Protect Your Health |
|---|---|---|
| Good | None expected | No precautions necessary |
| Moderate | Ozone levels in this range may cause respiratory problems in some children and adults engaged in outdoor activities. These effects are of particular concern for those with existing lung problems. | People with respiratory diseases such as asthma and other sensitive individuals should consider limiting outdoor exercise and strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours, when ozone levels are highest. |
| Unhealthy | As ozone levels increase, both the severity of the health effects and the number of people affected increase.
Health effects commonly include: coughing; eye, nose, and throat irritation; chest pain; decreased lung function; shortness of breath; increased susceptibility to respiratory infection; aggravation of asthma; and other respiratory ailments. It is important to be aware that individuals react differently when exposed to various ozone levels in the unhealthy range; some people experience problems at lower unhealthy levels, while others may not be affected until higher levels are reached. However, certain groups are particularly sensitive to ozone in the unhealthy range, including:
|
In general, everyone should limit strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon and early evening hours, when ozone levels are usually highest.
If you find that you are particularly sensitive to ozone, or if you have asthma or other respiratory problems, stay in an area where it’s cool and, if possible, where it’s air-conditioned. If you want to take action to minimize exposure to unhealthy ozone levels, you should consider scheduling outdoor exercise and children’s outdoor activities in the morning hours, when ozone levels are generally lower. As ozone levels increase, individuals who experience respiratory problems may wish to consult their doctors. At the highest levels – an AQI between 201 and 300, everyone should avoid being outdoors. |
| Unhealthy | ||
| Very Unhealthy |
MAZ005-012>014-026-190300- CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA- SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FRAMINGHAM...LOWELL...MILFORD... WORCESTER...FOXBORO...NORWOOD...CAMBRIDGE...AYER 502 PM EDT THU JUL 18 2013 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY... THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY FOR GROUND LEVEL OZONE...IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY. AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE CONCENTRATIONS WITHIN THE REGION MAY APPROACH OR EXCEED UNHEALTHY STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...PLEASE VISIT THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEBSITE AT... HTTP://WWW.PUBLIC.DEP.STATE.MA.US/MASSAIR /ALL LOWERCASE LETTERS/...OR CALL 1-800-882-1497. $$
RIZ001-002-190300- NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FOSTER...SMITHFIELD...PROVIDENCE 502 PM EDT THU JUL 18 2013 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY... THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT HAS ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY FOR GROUND LEVEL OZONE...IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY. AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE CONCENTRATIONS WITHIN THE REGION MAY APPROACH OR EXCEED UNHEALTHY STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...PLEASE VISIT THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WEBSITE AT... HTTP://WWW.DEM.RI.GOV/PROGRAMS/BENVIRON/AIR/PM.HTM /ALL LOWERCASE LETTERS/ $$
CTZ002>004-190300- HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HARTFORD...WINDSOR LOCKS...UNION... VERNON...PUTNAM...WILLIMANTIC 502 PM EDT THU JUL 18 2013 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY... THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY FOR GROUND LEVEL OZONE...IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY. AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE CONCENTRATIONS WITHIN THE REGION MAY APPROACH OR EXCEED UNHEALTHY STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...PLEASE VISIT THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEBSITE AT... HTTP://WWW.CT.GOV/DEEP/AQI /ALL LOWERCASE LETTERS/ $$ FOR THE LATEST UPDATES...PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBPAGE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BOSTON YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/US.NATIONALWEATHERSERVICE.BOSTON.GOV YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AT @NWSBOSTON
RIZ003>008-190300- WESTERN KENT RI-EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI- BLOCK ISLAND RI- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WEST GREENWICH...WARWICK...BRISTOL... NARRAGANSETT...WESTERLY...NEWPORT...BLOCK ISLAND 502 PM EDT THU JUL 18 2013 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING... ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY... THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT HAS ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY FOR GROUND LEVEL OZONE...IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING... ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY. AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE CONCENTRATIONS WITHIN THE REGION MAY APPROACH OR EXCEED UNHEALTHY STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...PLEASE VISIT THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WEBSITE AT... HTTP://WWW.DEM.RI.GOV/PROGRAMS/BENVIRON/AIR/PM.HTM /ALL LOWERCASE LETTERS/ $$
MAZ020>024-190300- SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-BARNSTABLE MA-DUKES MA- NANTUCKET MA- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FALL RIVER...NEW BEDFORD...MATTAPOISETT... CHATHAM...FALMOUTH...PROVINCETOWN...VINEYARD HAVEN...NANTUCKET 502 PM EDT THU JUL 18 2013 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY FOR GROUND LEVEL OZONE...IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING. AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE CONCENTRATIONS WITHIN THE REGION MAY APPROACH OR EXCEED UNHEALTHY STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...PLEASE VISIT THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEBSITE AT... HTTP://WWW.PUBLIC.DEP.STATE.MA.US/MASSAIR /ALL LOWERCASE LETTERS/...OR CALL 1-800-882-1497. $$
CTZ005>008-190300- NORTHERN FAIRFIELD-NORTHERN NEW HAVEN-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX- NORTHERN NEW LONDON- 335 PM EDT THU JUL 18 2013 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY... THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES... NORTHERN FAIRFIELD...NORTHERN MIDDLESEX...NORTHERN NEW HAVEN... NORTHERN NEW LONDON. IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY. AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE WITHIN THE REGION MAY APPROACH OR EXCEED UNHEALTHY STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION... PLEASE VISIT THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.CT.GOV/DEEP/AQI $$ MPS
