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DEEP is forecasting unhealthy air quality for “sensitive groups” on Monday and Tuesday due to predicted elevated ground-level ozone pollution for southern sections of Fairfield County as well as all of coastal Connecticut.
A forecast of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” indicates increased likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults with respiratory disease, such as asthma, and the elderly.
“It’s been a while since our last official heat wave, so I want to remind everyone to take simple precautions when temperatures are high and air quality is poor,” said DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee. “Summer time in Connecticut is a great time to be outdoors, but be sure to drink plenty of water and get to an air conditioned room if you need to cool down and catch your breath.”
The high pressure system currently located off the southeastern coast of the U.S. will continue to transport warmer air and elevated levels of ozone from downwind air pollution sources into Connecticut, DEEP said.
The state's “home grown” pollution will also be intensified by the combination of strong July sunlight and temperatures in the low 90s, DEEP said. A cool front will cross the area Tuesday night, switching the wind to the northwest and ushering in slightly cooler and much drier air, thus reducing high concentrations of ground level ozone Wednesday.
Unhealthy concentrations of ground level ozone can cause or make worse a variety of respiratory and other health problems, including breathing difficulty, coughing, and throat irritation, and worsen asthma episodes. Anyone can be affected by ozone — especially sensitive groups that include children, elderly, people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, and even healthy adults who are very active outdoors.
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