Air Quality Alert Sunday For Narragansett & Entire State

NARRAGANSETT, RI —An air quality alert is being issued for Sunday July 2, according to the state Department of Environmental management. The combination of "ample sunshine, heat, a stalled frontal boundary, and favorable light southwest flows," said Darren J Austin, senior air quality specialist, "will allow ozone to reach unhealthy levels statewide. The ozone levels will be highest in the afternoon through the late evening with the highest readings in the south. Monday, the air quality again looks problematic."

He went on to say the Department of Health warns that unhealthy levels of ozone can cause throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, increased susceptibility to respiratory infection and aggravation of asthma and other respiratory ailments. These symptoms are worsened by exercise and heavy activity. The children, elderly and people who have underlying lung diseases, such as asthma, are at particular risk of suffering from these effects. As ozone levels increase, the number of people affected and the severity of the health effects also increase.