An air quality alert was issued in effect until 11:15 p.m. for 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,” states the National Weather Service.
Air quality alerts: Recommendations from NWS
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. Seek shelter indoors when possible:
- Whenever possible, seek refuge indoors, especially if you grapple with respiratory concerns, health issues, or belong to the senior or child demographic
2. Minimize outdoor exposure:
- When venturing outside is unavoidable, restrict your time outdoors solely to essential activities. Reducing exposure is paramount.
3. Reduce pollution contributors:
- Be mindful of activities that exacerbate pollution, such as driving cars, operating gas-powered lawnmowers, or using other motorized vehicles. Limit their use during air quality alerts.
4. Banish open burning:
- Avoid burning debris or any other materials during air quality alerts. This contributes to worsened air quality.
5. Stay informed:
- Keep yourself well-informed by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news outlet. Staying in the loop empowers you to make informed decisions regarding outdoor engagements during air quality alerts.
6. Respiratory health matters:
- If you grapple with respiratory issues or underlying health problems, exercise added caution. These conditions can render you more susceptible to the adverse effects of compromised 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.
