An updated air quality alert was issued in effect until Thursday at 11 p.m. for Southern Worcester as well as Essex, Hampshire, Hampden, Norfolk, Middlesex, Suffolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties.
“The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality Alert for Ground Level Ozone, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday. 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: 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. Retreat indoors whenever feasible:
- If it’s within your means, stay indoors, especially if you have respiratory issues, health concerns, or fall within the senior or child demographics.
2. Curb outdoor exposure:
- When venturing outside becomes unavoidable, limit your outdoor exposure strictly to essential tasks. Reducing your time outdoors is the name of the game.
3. Tackle pollution sources:
- Be conscious of activities that contribute to pollution, such as driving cars, using gas-powered lawnmowers, or relying on motorized vehicles. Curtail their use during air quality alerts.
4. Banish open burning:
- Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert. Such practices only contribute to heightened air pollution.
5. Stay informed:
- Stay updated of developments by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news source. Being well-informed empowers you to make informed decisions regarding outdoor pursuits during air quality alerts.
6. Respiratory health caution:
- 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.
Following the recommendations from the weather service helps bolster your safety during air quality alerts, minimizing your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay vigilant, stay protected, and make your health the top priority.
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.
