Walingford Air Quality Alert

Air pollution levels of ground-level ozone and/or particles are predicted to be in the “unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” or above category for New Haven County, including Wallingford on Thursday.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather alert for Fairfield and New Haven counties from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has issued an air quality alert with predictions that ozone levels could reach 101 parts per million as temperatures creep towards the 90-degree level.

During the warm seasons, unhealthy ground-level ozone concentrations may cause a variety of respiratory problems including breathing difficulty, coughing, and throat irritation. In the cold season, particle pollution predominates. Health effects such as: aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, nonfatal heart attacks, and even pre-mature death in people with heart and lung disease; have also been linked with prolonged exposure of particles.

• Conserve energy at home and at work by setting your [air conditioner] thermostat at a higher temperature in the summer and a lower temperature in the winter.
• Choose a cleaner commute: share a ride or use public transportation.
• During winter-time particulate matter events, cut back on wood stove use during stagnant atmospheric conditions.
• Reduce use of gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Refuel motor vehicles after dusk.
• Combine errands and reduce trips. Limit engine idling.
• Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum, or try to delay using them when unhealthy air is forecast.

For more information, visit the CTDEP air quality web site here.

Photo: flickr.com.