High temperatures bring poor air quality to parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire on June 18, 2024
BOSTON (June 17, 2024) – New England state air quality forecasters are predicting air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups, due to elevated ground-level ozone. Sensitive groups include people with lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children and teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. Areas that are predicted to exceed the federal air quality standard for ozone on Tuesday, June 18 are:
Central and Western Connecticut, Central and Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southcentral and coastal parts of New Hampshire
With scorching temperatures and sunny skies predicted for New England, poor air quality is expected throughout the week. These locations are subject to change, so please refer to EPA New England's AQI Air Quality Index (AQI) for current air quality conditions and forecasts across New England.
With hot, summery weather, EPA and state air quality forecasters predict areas of unhealthy air quality in several areas of New England. EPA and the medical community advise people to limit any strenuous outdoor activity when poor air quality is expected. Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause breathing problems, aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases, and make people more susceptible to respiratory infection. When ozone levels are elevated, people should refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially sensitive populations such as children and adults with respiratory problems. Due to climate change, these kinds of air quality events may increase in frequency and those communities already vulnerable and overburdened, may be impacted by unhealthy air quality.
Elevated temperatures can directly increase the rate of ground-level ozone formation. Ground-level ozone forms when volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen (ozone precursors) interact in the presence of strong sunshine. Cars, trucks, and buses emit most of the pollution that creates ozone. Emissions from powerplants, industrial solvents and chemical manufacturing, gasoline stations, paints, insecticides, household cleaners, as well as lawn and garden equipment also add to the ozone formation. The sun's direct ultraviolet rays convert these emissions into ground-level ozone, which is unhealthy to breathe.
Also, everyone can take steps to reduce air pollution during air quality alert days. When ozone is forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, members of the public are encouraged to help limit emissions and reduce ozone formation by:
- using public transportation, if possible;
- combining errands and carpooling to reduce driving time and mileage; and
- avoiding the use of small gasoline-powered engines, such as lawn mowers, string trimmers, chain saws, power-washers, air compressors, and leaf; and
- filling your gas tank in the early morning or at night during hot weather; and
- avoiding outside burning, including leaf burning and use of firepits and campfires.
During poor air quality events, it is also important to reduce household energy usage, such as setting air conditioners to a higher temperature, and turning off unnecessary lights, equipment, and appliances.
EPA's ENERGY STAR Program also provides trusted guidance and online tools to help homeowners make smart decisions about improving the energy efficiency of their existing homes.
The current ozone standard is 0.070 parts per million (ppm).
More information:
Real-time ozone data and air quality forecasts EPA New England's AQI Air Quality Index (AQI)
National real-time air quality data (free iPhone and Android apps)
Air Quality Alerts EnviroFlash
EPA's ENERGY STAR Program