AUGUSTA, Maine — Ground-level ozone concentrations will climb in Maine today, Thursday, May 18, and are expected to reach unhealthy levels along the entire coastline and will reach inland to include the interior regions according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In addition, moderate levels of particle pollution are expected in the same area on Thursday.
This is a multiday ozone event that has been building since last weekend. Earlier this week elevated levels of ozone have moved further north and east, and Maine will be impacted today.
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.
To protect your health during periods of unhealthy air quality, adjust your schedule to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon.
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/). The Maine CDC Asthma Prevention and Control Program has asthma information available at their web site: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/mat/index.htm.
For more information on asthma control visit EPA’s Web site www.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/ozone/ which has links to: EnviroFlash, EPA’s email and text alert system, http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/enviroflash.html; Twitter, for sign up information go to: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/twitter.html; EPA’s mobile app is available at: http://m.epa.gov/apps/airnow.html
- DEP’s toll free air quality hotline is 1-800-223-1196.
For more information call the contacts listed above or go to DEP’s air quality web site http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/ .
