MassDEP Extends Air Quality Alert| 08:30PM / Wednesday, June 07, 2023 | |
BOSTON — The Department of Environmental Protection has extended a statewide air quality alert effective until midnight Thursday. The initial alert had been set to expire Wednesday night.
The hazy skies and acrid smell are coming from more than 400 forest fires in Canada. The haze has covered much of the Northeast and while the worst of the smoke is running through western and central New York State southeast to the Atlantic Coast, much of New England is feeling the effects.
The smoke is expected to impact the air quality of Western Mass on Wednesday. Air quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups that include people with heart or lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children, teenagers and people who are active outdoors. People with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to ozone.
MassDEP is advising that people in sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, do less intense activities, follow asthma action plans, and keep quick relief medicine handy. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. The state air quality site can be found here.
Everyone else should avoid strenuous activities and spend less time outdoors.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is rating air quality in the Berkshires as "unhealthy" for sensitive groups with North Berkshire having an air quality index of 150 and Central and South Berkshire 175. An air quality index over 200 is considered unhealthy for everyone.
The Tri-Town Boards of Health is recommending those with respiratory issues contact their physician.
Properly fitted N95 masks can filter out airborne particles such as dust, smoke and pollutants.
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