The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued an air-quality warning for residents in Essex and Suffolk counties after reporting ozone levels in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range in some eastern and northeastern areas of the Commonwealth.
Due to smoke wafting into the region from Canadian wildfires, MassDEP explained in a statement that the air is forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups — including children, teenagers, older adults, and those with lung or heart disease.
State leaders recommend that those who fit one or more of those descriptions limit outdoor activity for the duration of the alert, which is expected to last until midnight Friday.
According to the department, air quality indexes (AQI) under 100 are usually considered satisfactory. As of 10:30 a.m. Thursday, the ozone AQI in Lynn was 120. MassDEP will continue to track air quality throughout the day on its website.
“Keep medicine handy, if needed,” the statement said. “They also are urged to be mindful of symptoms, which could include coughing or shortness of breath.”
