Stamford Health Alert: Expect 'Unhealthy' Air Quality Through Tuesday

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is forecasting unhealthy air quality for “sensitive groups” for the remainder of Monday and for Tuesday, July 21) due to predicted elevated ground-level ozone pollution for southern sections of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties.

A 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.

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“It’s been a while since our last official heat wave, so I want to remind everyone to take simple precautions when temperatures are high and air quality is poor,” Commissioner Rob Klee said in a statement. “Summer time in Connecticut is a great time to be outdoors, but be sure to drink plenty of water and get to an air conditioned room if you need to cool down and catch your breath.”

[And to find out where Stamford’s cooling centers are, click here.]

Health Effects of Air Pollution

Unhealthy concentrations of ground level ozone can cause or make worse a variety of respiratory and other health problems including breathing difficulty, coughing, and throat irritation and worsen asthma episodes. Anyone can be affected by ozone; particularly sensitive groups that include children, elderly, people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, and even healthy adults who are very active outdoors.

Ground level or “bad” ozone primarily occurs during very warm summer days. Strong sunshine causes chemical reactions of air pollutants emitted from motor vehicles, power plants and industry and household activities, forming ozone. Warmer weather can bring high levels of ground level ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These two air pollutants pose serious health risks – especially to young children, elderly, adults who are active outdoors, and people with existing respiratory disease.

Weather Summary

High pressure currently located off the southeastern coast of the U.S. will continue to transport warmer air and elevated levels of ozone from downwind air pollution sources into Connecticut. In addition to transported air pollution, our “home grown” pollution will be intensified by the combination of strong July sunlight and temperatures in the low 90’s. A cool front will cross the area Tuesday night, switching the wind to the northwest and ushering in slightly cooler and much drier air, thus reducing high concentrations of ground level ozone on Wednesday.

[For the Stamford specific forecast, click here.]

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 78 degrees;
• “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.

Patch file photo.