Air Quality Alert For New London County, Again

Updated for Tuesday, June 25. Basically the exact same information applies. The elderly, people with lung disease or breathing difficulty, the infirm and the very young may all be susceptible to the unhealthy ozone levels today. Use caution. 

Original story:

The EPA and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have issued an "unhealthy" air quality alert for much of the state but New London County in particular today. 

The alert is for "sensitive" populations which would include people with lung disease, older adults and children, all of whom are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone. 

The air quality index levels range, numerically, from 0 to 500; the former being perfect and the latter being deadly. The levels will reach an "unhealthy" 122 today.

Ground level or "bad" ozone is created when two types of air pollutants, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), react in the presence of sunlight and warm temperatures. These air pollutants are generated both inside and outside of Connecticut from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, and gasoline vapors.  

Air pollution is also transported into Connecticut on prevailing westerly winds from the Ohio River Valley and from the southwest along the I-95 urban corridor from Washington D.C. 

According to DEEP, Connecticut experienced 27 unhealthy air quality days during 2012.  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.

So the best advice for those that fall into the senstive population is to stay indoors during the heat of the day.