State Forecasting 'Unhealthy Air Quality' for the Area

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is forecasting unhealthy air quality for “sensitive groups” on Friday due to predicted elevated ground-level ozone pollution for Northern Fairfield, Northern New Haven, Litchfield, Hartford and Tolland Counties.

The DEEP warns the forecast of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” indicates increased likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults with respiratory disease, such as asthma, and the elderly.

High pressure currently located off mid-Atlantic Coast today and Friday will continue to transport warmer air and pump elevated levels of ozone from downwind air pollution sources into Connecticut, according to the DEEP.

The DEEP also states that in addition to “transported air pollution, our ‘home grown’ pollution will be intensified by the combination of strong May sunlight and later than usual blooming spring vegetation that also contributes to ozone levels at this time of year. A back door cold front will cross the area late Friday afternoon, switching the wind to the south and southeast ushering cooler ocean air, thus reducing high concentrations of ground level ozone on Saturday.”

Read more from the DEEP below:

Ozone Monitoring Season

DEEP monitors, tracks and forecasts daily air quality levels across Connecticut for ozone from May 1 through September 30 each year and for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) each day of the year. On April 30, 2015, DEEP began informing Connecticut’s regulated community and the general public of the ozone season via the State of Connecticut E-mail list serve and posting air quality forecasts on the DEEP web page, available here.

DEEP encourages daycare providers, summer camps and elder/senior centers to subscribe to the Air Quality Index (AQI). Subscribing to the AQI is fast and easy and will provide you with important information each day about Connecticut’s air quality through the spring and summer. The AQI link provides facts and information regarding ground-level ozone, its’ health effects, what today on high ozone day, and most importantly what you can do to help reduce ground level ozone in your backyard.

What You Can Do to Help

• When air pollution levels are predicted to be “unhealthy for sensitive groups” DEEP recommends:
• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioners to 78o;
• “ Wait ‘til 8” to use energy intensive appliances like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers;
• Driving less by carpooling, vanpooling or using public transit;
• Telecommuting if possible;
• Refueling your vehicle after dusk and never idling a vehicle unnecessarily;
• Remembering that knowledge is power! Ask your school if they participate in theSchool Flag Program, EPA’s Air Quality awareness tool that uses colored flags based on the AQI to notify teachers, students, administrators and the local community of air quality conditions.

Photo credit: Joshua Tree National Park via Flickr.com

Want more weather alerts? Sign up below!