An updated air quality alert was issued in effect until 11 p.m. for Northern Worcester and Southern Worcester as well as Middlesex, Essex, Hampshire, Hampden, Norfolk and Suffolk counties.
“The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality Alert for Ground Level Ozone, from 11 a.m. this morning to 11 p.m. this evening. An Air Quality Alert means that Ground Level Ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed levels that are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Air is unhealthy for sensitive children and adults, such as those with asthma, lung or heart disease, and older adults. Sensitive children and adults should limit prolonged outdoor activity,” says the National Weather Service.
Air quality Alerts: NWS prescribes safety measures
When an air quality alert is in effect, following the weather service guidance is pivotal. Here are some simple tips from the weather service for safeguarding your well-being:
1. Retreat indoors whenever feasible:
- If you can, take refuge indoors, especially if you have respiratory concerns, underlying health conditions, or belong to the senior or child demographics.
2. Curb outdoor exposure:
- When you can’t avoid going outdoors, keep outdoor activities to the bare essentials. Reducing your time outdoors is the key.
3. Tackle pollution sources:
- Be mindful of activities that increase pollution, like driving cars, operating gas-powered lawnmowers, or using motorized vehicles. Limit their usage during air quality alerts.
4. Banish open burning:
- Refrain from igniting fires with debris or any other materials during air quality alerts. Such practices only contribute to the problem of poor air quality.
5. Stay well-informed:
- Keep yourself informed by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news station. Staying in the know ensures that you can make informed decisions about outdoor activities during air quality alerts.
6. Prioritize respiratory health:
- If you have respiratory issues or health problems, exercise extra caution. These conditions can make you more vulnerable to the adverse effects of poor air quality.
By adhering to the recommendations from the weather service, you can enhance your safety during air quality alerts and reduce your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay vigilant, stay protected, and prioritize your health above all else.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
