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August 02. 2012 7:28PM
With another hot day coming, EPA issues air quality alert
With today's forecast calling for temperature readings into the low 90s, residents headed to the state's Seacoast to beat the heat should take note of another prediction for the region: poor air quality.
Officials with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said late Thursday that unhealthy air quality is expected today in most of Connecticut, central Massachusetts, and along New Hampshire's coastline. The hot weather is also expected to push the demand for electricity in New England toward high-load levels.
“With very hot weather predicted, EPA and the local state environmental agencies are predicting unhealthy air quality in parts of New England,” said Curt Spalding, administrator of the EPA's New England office. “Everyone can help reduce smog-forming emissions by driving less, by using public transportation, and by setting air conditioner thermostats a few degrees higher.”
Spalding said 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. He cautioned that when ozone levels are elevated, people should refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially children and adults with existing respiratory problems.
According to an EPA fact sheet, ground-level ozone forms when organic compounds mix with oxides of nitrogen in strong sunlight.
“Cars, trucks and buses give off the majority of the components that create ozone,” said Spalding. “Burning fossil fuels at electric-generating units, especially on hot days, also give off ozone precursors.”
Spalding said gasoline stations, print shops, household paints and cleaners, along with lawn and garden equipment can also contribute to the ozone problem.
When an unhealthy ozone forecast is issued, EPA officials say members of the public can help reduce ozone levels by:
Using public transportation, car pooling and/or combining trips. People can also avoid using small gasoline powered engines, such as lawn mowers and tractors, chain saws, power washers and leaf blowers.
Due to the anticipated heat, the demand for electricity throughout New England is predicted to be high. EPA officials are asking home and business owners to do what they can to reduce energy consumption, such as resetting their air conditioning units to a higher temperature reading, and turning off unnecessary lights, computers and appliances that aren't in use.
The ozone standard is 0.075 parts per million (ppm) on an averaged eight-hour basis. Air quality alerts are issued when ozone concentrations exceed, or are predicted to exceed, this level. Thus far this year, there have been 18 days in New England when ozone concentrations have exceeded the standard.
pfeely@unionleader.com
Officials with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said late Thursday that unhealthy air quality is expected today in most of Connecticut, central Massachusetts, and along New Hampshire's coastline. The hot weather is also expected to push the demand for electricity in New England toward high-load levels.
“With very hot weather predicted, EPA and the local state environmental agencies are predicting unhealthy air quality in parts of New England,” said Curt Spalding, administrator of the EPA's New England office. “Everyone can help reduce smog-forming emissions by driving less, by using public transportation, and by setting air conditioner thermostats a few degrees higher.”
Spalding said 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. He cautioned that when ozone levels are elevated, people should refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially children and adults with existing respiratory problems.
According to an EPA fact sheet, ground-level ozone forms when organic compounds mix with oxides of nitrogen in strong sunlight.
“Cars, trucks and buses give off the majority of the components that create ozone,” said Spalding. “Burning fossil fuels at electric-generating units, especially on hot days, also give off ozone precursors.”
Spalding said gasoline stations, print shops, household paints and cleaners, along with lawn and garden equipment can also contribute to the ozone problem.
When an unhealthy ozone forecast is issued, EPA officials say members of the public can help reduce ozone levels by:
Using public transportation, car pooling and/or combining trips. People can also avoid using small gasoline powered engines, such as lawn mowers and tractors, chain saws, power washers and leaf blowers.
Due to the anticipated heat, the demand for electricity throughout New England is predicted to be high. EPA officials are asking home and business owners to do what they can to reduce energy consumption, such as resetting their air conditioning units to a higher temperature reading, and turning off unnecessary lights, computers and appliances that aren't in use.
The ozone standard is 0.075 parts per million (ppm) on an averaged eight-hour basis. Air quality alerts are issued when ozone concentrations exceed, or are predicted to exceed, this level. Thus far this year, there have been 18 days in New England when ozone concentrations have exceeded the standard.
pfeely@unionleader.com
