'Unhealthy' Air Quality Predicted for Westport Wednesday

Westport, CT - The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has issued an advisory that Westport's air quality on Wednesday, July 6, will be "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

"During the warm seasons, unhealthy ground-level ozone concentrations may cause a variety of respiratory problems including breathing difficulty, coughing, and throat irritation," wrote CT DEEP officials in a statement. "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."

The department made the following recommendations for how people should deal with such situations:

• 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 further information, visit the CT DEEP air quality website.