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New England Air Quality Forecast
The air you breathe today may be hazardous to your health. The pollutant which most frequently causes poor air quality in New England is Ozone. Ozone is an odorless, colorless gas. In the upper atmosphere ozone forms a natural protective layer that shields the earth from the sunŐs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Conversely ground level ozone is a harmful pollutant that, when inhaled, can cause a number of respiratory health effect and can severely damage the living tissue of plants and animals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established guidelines Anyone can be affected by ozone, but groups particularly sensitive include children and adults who are active outdoors, and people with respiratory disease such as asthma. Sensitive people who experience effects at lower concentrations are likely to experience more serious effects at higher concentrations. Still, even the healthiest people may find it difficult to breathe when ozone levels are very high. How do ozone affect human health? Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause serious breathing problems, it can aggravate asthma, and other preexisting lung diseases, and it can make people more susceptible to respiratory infection. The most common symptoms of ozone exposure are coughing, pain when taking a deep breath, and for people with respiratory disease, shortness of breath. How can I limit exposure to ozone? All people, especially children, should limit strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon and early evening hours, when ozone levels are highest. Schedule outdoor exercise and children's outdoor activities in the morning hours. What causes ground-level ozone, and what can I do to help? Ground level ozone, or smog, forms during the warm weather when pollution from sources such as vehicles, industry, households, and power plants bakes in hot sun. When forecasters at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services predict unhealthy air, everyone should take ozone action to reduce the threat. It is easy, and it can really make a difference:
Who can I call if I have questions on air quality?
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