The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality alert effective from 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. on June 19 due to elevated levels of ozone expected in seven counties across Massachusetts. The affected counties include eastern Hampden and Hampshire counties, southern Worcester County, central and southern Middlesex County and Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex counties.
Air quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, which include people with heart or lung disease, such as asthma, older adults, children, teenagers and people who are active outdoors. People with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to air pollution.
MassDEP advises people in sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, do less intense activities, follow asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy. They should also watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
For more information, including forecasts and real-time data, visit MassDEP’s MassAir Online site.
