It is going to be hot and humid again today and the State of Maine has issues an air quality alert for Mainers. Here is what the Maine DEP website has to say:

Ground-level ozone concentrations will be climbing in Maine on Wednesday and are expected to reach unhealthy levels along the coast according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). On Tuesday afternoon ozone levels began building in the New York City/ Long Island Sound area. Winds are expected to bring these high levels of ozone to Maine and travel down the coast on Wednesday. In addition, particle pollution levels are expected to be moderate statewide. Furthermore, heat advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service. This combination of heat, humidity and poor air quality will exacerbate the effects of each.

At elevated ozone levels, children, healthy adults who exert themselves, and individuals suffering from a respiratory disease such as asthma, bronchitis or COPD can experience reduced lung function and irritation. When this happens, individuals may notice a shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation, and/or experience an uncomfortable sensation in their chest.

Some actions you can take to protect your health during periods of unhealthy air quality include:

  • Adjusting your schedule to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon.
  • Please consult the Maine CDC website for information on the health impacts of extreme heat and appropriate actions to take (http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/heat/).
  • The Maine CDC Asthma Prevention and Control Program has asthma information available at their web site: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/mat/index.htm
  • For more information on asthma control visit EPA's Web site www.epa.gov/asthma to find information about asthma triggers and lessons on asthma management.

In addition to those in a sensitive group, sports coaches, elder care workers, nurses and others who are responsible for the welfare of people impacted by poor air quality are urged to use one of the listed tools to follow the Air Quality Forecast:

For more information call the contacts listed above or go to DEP's air quality web site http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/

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