Air Pollution Levels ‘Unhealthy’ On Sunday In Rockingham County: State

CONCORD, NH — State health officials are warning of high ground-level ozone levels in Rockingham County on Sunday which may create breathing problems for some “sensitive groups” in New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services issued the warning for Sunday and advised everyone with breathing problems to limit prolonged outdoor exertion and conditions. Some people who may experience issues include children, older adults, anyone with lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, or people who are active outdoors and performing strenuous work or exercise. Non-sensitive people could experience mild health effects and may want to consider limiting activity.

“NHDES forecasts ground-level ozone (the main component of smog) concentrations to rise to levels that are unhealthy for sensitive individuals in the above-mentioned region,” Jim Martin, a spokesman for the department, said. “The predicted air pollution will be transported with the winds along a band stretching from the Boston metropolitan area to the New Hampshire coastline. High temperatures and sunny skies enhance the creation of ozone from these precursor pollutants. Air quality is expected to improve on Monday as cloud cover increases and temperatures cool.”

The rest of the state is expected to have moderate air quality but there will be fine particle air pollution in the entire state on Sunday meaning anyone with “unusually sensitive to air pollution should consider limiting prolonged exertion,” he said.

For more information, call NHDES at 603-271-1370.

For air quality forecasts and current air pollution levels in New Hampshire, call 1-800-935-SMOG or visit the NH DES website, linked here.

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