MassDEP has put the entire state on notice, issuing a statewide air quality alert Friday as ozone levels climbed into the trouble zone. Air is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups through Saturday night, and officials are urging people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children to slow down on prolonged or heavy outdoor activities and keep quick-relief medications close. The alert is scheduled to expire at 11 p.m. on Saturday.
According to WCVB, MassDEP expects ozone concentrations to reach levels labeled “unhealthy for sensitive groups” on Saturday across parts of southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the islands. The station reports that the advisory covers the entire state and will stay in place until 11 p.m. Saturday.
Per MassDEP, “sensitive groups” include people with heart or lung disease such as asthma, older adults and children. The agency advises those residents to cut back on prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, take more breaks, follow asthma action plans and keep fast-acting medicine within easy reach.
Why Ozone Spikes And Who It Hits Hardest
Ground-level ozone forms when sunlight powers chemical reactions between emissions from vehicles and industry, and it tends to surge on hot, sunny afternoons, the classic summer smog setup. AirNow notes that when the Air Quality Index hits the orange band (101–150), it is classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” and those individuals are urged to shorten or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities…