Maine DEP Issues Air Quality Alert for Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Alert is for the Southwest Coastal Region and High Elevations of Acadia National Park
AUGUSTA, July 29, 2019 — Ground-level ozone concentrations will be climbing in Maine on Tuesday and are expected to reach unhealthy levels according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The Southwest Coastal region and the High Elevations of Acadia National Park are the regions forecast to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range on the Air Quality Index.
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.
- 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 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:
- Air Quality Forecast page: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/ which has links to:
- EnviroFlash, EPA’s email and text alert system, http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/enviroflash.html
- Twitter, for sign up information go to: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/twitter.html
- EPA’s mobile app is available at: http://m.epa.gov/apps/airnow.html
- DEP's toll-free air quality hotline is 1-800-223-1196
For more information call the contacts listed above or go to DEP’s air quality web sitehttp://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/ .
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