The Maine DEP issues an Air Quality Alert for portions of Maine on Sunday, June 26, 2022
June 25, 2022
Contact: Contact: David Madore, Deputy Commissioner, david.madore@maine.gov
AUGUSTA, June 25, 2022 - Ground-level ozone concentrations will be climbing in Maine on Sunday and are expected to reach unhealthy levels according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). On Saturday Ozone levels are expected to be unhealthy in Southern New England. Ozone and its precursors would then be transported to Maine on Sunday. The Unhealthy levels are expected along the coast from Kittery through Acadia NP with Moderate levels of ozone for the Downeast Coastal region and the Western Interior & Eastern Interior regions. In addition, Particle pollution levels are expected to be in the low end of the Moderate range on the Air Quality Index for much of the state as well.
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:
o Adjusting your schedule to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon.
o While temperatures are not expected to reach the Heat Advisory level, temperatures will be much warmer than recent days. If you have concerns, please consult the Maine CDC website for information on the health impacts of extreme heat and appropriate actions to take (http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/heat/).
o The Maine CDC Asthma Prevention and Control Program has asthma information available at their web site: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/mat/
o For more information on asthma control visit EPA's Web site epa.gov/asthma to find information about asthma triggers and lessons on asthma management.
In addition to those in a sensitive group, sports coaches, elder care workers, nurses and others who are responsible for the welfare of people impacted by poor air quality are urged to use one of the listed tools to follow the Air Quality Forecast:
Air Quality Forecast page: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/aqforecast/ which has links to:
o EnviroFlash, EPA's email and text alert system, http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/enviroflash.html
o Twitter, for sign up information go to: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/twitter.html
o EPAs mobile app is available at: https://www.airnow.gov/airnow-mobile-app/
DEP's toll free air quality hotline is 1-800-223-1196
For more information call the contacts listed above or go to DEPs air quality web site http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/aqforecast/