Maine DEP Issues Air Quality Alert for Tuesday, July 30, 2019

July 29, 2019

Contact: David Madore, Communications Director, (207) 287-5842, david.madore@maine.gov or Tom Downs, Chief Meteorologist, (207) 287-7026, tom.downs@maine.gov

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:

For more information call the contacts listed above or go to DEPs air quality web site http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/