The MA DEP and EPA provide air quality on particulates and ground-level ozone, commonly called smog.
Who does ground-level ozone and particulate matter affect?
Anyone can be affected by ozone, but groups particularly sensitive include children and adults who are active outdoors, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma. Sensitive people who experience effects at lower ozone concentrations are likely to experience more serious effects at higher concentrations. Still, even the healthiest people may find it difficult to breathe when ozone levels are very high.
When particulate concentrations in the ambient air are elevated, people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children are the groups most at risk.
How does ozone and particulate matter affect human health?
Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause serious breathing problems, it can aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases, and it can make people more susceptible to respiratory infection. The most common symptoms of ozone exposure are coughing, pain when taking a deep breath, and for people with respiratory disease, shortness of breath.
Very small particles are more likely to travel deep in the respiratory system, and be deposited deep in the lungs where they can be trapped on membranes. Exposure to elevated particulate levels can increase the likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravate heart or lung disease and cause premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly.
Where can I get more information on current and predicted air quality?
An animated map showing "real-time" ozone levels throughout the Northeast and a forecast map of tomorrow's predicted air quality are available from EPA’s web page at www.epa.gov/ne/aqi. Also at this web site is an interactive tool that allows individuals to access the most recent air quality index reading for ozone monitors in their area.
Air quality forecasts for Massachusetts are available from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-882-1497 or at http://www.mass.gov/air.
How can I limit exposure to ozone and particulate matter?
All people, especially children, should limit strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon and early evening hours, when ozone levels are highest. Schedule outdoor exercise and children's outdoor activities in the morning hours.
When particulate concentrations in the ambient air are elevated, people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. Unlike ozone, however, particulate concentrations can be elevated throughout the day, and thus affected individuals are not recommended to simply reschedule their exercise to the morning hours.
What causes ground-level ozone, and what can I do to help?
Ground level ozone, or smog, forms during the warm weather when pollution from sources like vehicles, industry, households, and power plants bakes in the hot sun. When forecasters at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection predict unhealthy air, everyone should take ozone action to reduce the threat. It is easy, and it can really make a difference:
· Avoid unnecessary use of gasoline-powered lawn mowers, chain saws, and other power equipment;
· Take public transportation, carpool with colleagues, and combine errands into one trip;
· Help reduce emissions from power plants by turning air conditioners to a higher temperature and turning off lights, computer screens, and other electrical appliances when not in use; and
· Go to the gas station at night to cut down on gasoline vapors getting into the air during daylight hours when the sun can cook the vapors and form ozone.
What causes elevated particulate matter levels, and what can I do to help?
Particulate matter is produced by a wide variety of natural and manmade sources. Major sources of particulate pollution are factories, power plants, trash incinerators, motor vehicles, including diesel engines, construction activity, fires, and natural windblown dust. In the wintertime, wood smoke is also a contributor to ambient particulate levels.
As with ozone, when forecasters at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection predict elevated levels of particulate matter, everyone should take action to reduce the threat. Actions that help include:
· Take public transportation, carpool with colleagues, and combine errands into one trip;
· Help reduce emissions from power plants by turning air conditioners to a higher temperature and turning off lights, computer screens, and other electrical appliances when not in use; and
· Avoid any kind of wood burning or open burning.
Who can I call if I have questions on air quality?
If you have any questions about air quality issues, please call the EPA’s toll-free Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-821-1237 or the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection at 617-292-5500.
Additional Monitoring and Forecasting Resources:
Air Quality Index including Real-Time
Tomorrow's New England Forecast Map
Sign up for EPA's Air Quality Alert