EPA forecasts poor weekend air quality

LYNN – Hot weather, low winds, industrial pollution and automobile exhaust are expected to make for poor air quality through the weekend.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said most of southern New England, with the exception of Cape Cod, will feel the brunt of the unhealthy air.High temperatures are also expected to cause the demand for electricity in New England to reach high-load levels, according to EPA spokesman David Deegan.”Although we have progressed in our battle against air pollution in New England, we continue to see days when the air is unhealthy, especially on hot and humid days, like is forecast for tomorrow,” said Robert W. Varney, administrator of EPA’s New England office. “On these days, EPA and the medical community suggest that people limit their strenuous outdoor activity.”The EPA has adopted a new standard for ozone levels, otherwise known as smog. When concentrations exceed the .075 parts per million, an alert is issued to warn the public of poor air quality. The previous measure was set at .085 parts per million.Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause serious breathing problems, aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases, and make people more susceptible to respiratory infection. When ozone levels are elevated, people should refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.When unhealthy air quality is forecast, the EPA asks the public to reduce pollution by using public transportation, car pooling and/or combining trips; refueling cars at night to reduce gasoline vapors getting into the air during the daytime when the sun can cook the vapors and form ozone; and avoiding the use of small gasoline powered engines, such as lawn mowers, chain saws, and leaf blowers.Employers are asked to consider allowing employees to dress casually, and to turn air conditioners to a higher temperature setting, switch off unnecessary lights and appliances such as televisions and computers, and to defer household activities like laundry until the later hours.To view EPA maps showing air-quality levels, go online to www.epa.gov/ne/aqi.