UPDATE: 'Bad Ozone' Today, Take Precautions To Stay Safe

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) forecasted unhealthy air quality for “sensitive groups” for today due to elevated concentrations of ground-level ozone pollution. 

A forecast of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” indicates increased likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults with respiratory disease, such as asthma. 

Ground level or "bad" ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOC.

Link to current Air Quality Levels in CT: http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid=7

Steamy, Unsafe Weather For Some:

High pressure will drift off the mid-Atlantic coast today, transporting a hotter and more humid air mass over Connecticut into Wednesday and the combination of heat and surface winds will produce favorable conditions for ozone formation and transport of elevated levels of ozone into Connecticut.

Bad Ozone Effects

 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.

What To Do?

 Kathleen Doherty-Peck, Montville director of Senior and Social Services said that extreme heat conditions are dangerous for the elderly, but seniors can cool off at the center at 12 Maple Ave. It is open from 8 to 4:30 p.m., is air-conditioned and there’s free bus service for seniors that need transportation to the center.

For more information, call (860) 848-0422.

Some other tips on keeping cool and healthy include staying indoors during the hottest part of the day in an air-conditioned location like the Crystal Mall, or a library. It’s also advised that people wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, take cool showers or baths, (filling a tub with cold water for immersion is a good idea as long as there are no young children around to avoid drowning risks) and to be sure to drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic cold beverages.

The CDC website has lots of great information and ideas about keeping safe and cool.

And DEEP has some great ideas:

·         Conserving electricity by setting air conditioners to 78o;

·         “Wait ‘til 8” to use energy intensive appliances like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers;

·         Driving less by carpooling, vanpooling or using public transit;

·         Telecommuting if possible;

·         Refueling your vehicle after dusk and never idling a vehicle unnecessarily;

As of April 30, 2012, DEEP began informing Connecticut’s regulated community and the general public of the upcoming ozone season via the State of Connecticut E-mail list serve and posting air quality forecasts on the DEEP web page, available here.

What will you do to beat the heat? Tell us in the comments!