Poor air quality predicted for south coastal New England

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Unhealthy air quality is predicted for eastern coastal Connecticut, southern Rhode Island, and the south coast of Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the Islands, for Thursday, May 30, due to ground-level ozone, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a press release. Poor air quality is expected to continue through Saturday.

“It is unfortunate that with the first days of summer weather, EPA and our State partners have to remind New Englanders that the air quality in parts of New England may reach unhealthy levels over the next several days,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “The good news is that everybody can help reduce smog-forming emissions by driving less, by using public transportation and by setting air conditioner thermostats a few degrees higher.”

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.

Real-time ozone data and air quality forecasts for New England are available at www.epa.gov/ne/aqi.