Hot weather and a bad air day are predicted for Thursday in the Seacoast.
Air pollution concentrations are expected to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive individuals in Rockingham County and at elevations above 3,000 feet, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. The National Weather Service forecast calls for sun and temperatures in the 90s.
NHDES officials are calling for an Air Quality Action Day and advise sensitive individuals in these areas to take precautions to protect their health by limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. Sensitive individuals include children and older adults; anyone with lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis; and people who are active outdoors. Even healthy individuals may experience mild health effects and should consider limiting strenuous or prolonged outdoor activities.
NHDES forecasts unhealthy concentrations of ground-level ozone (the main component of smog) for sensitive individuals in the above-mentioned regions. The expected unhealthy air quality is due to the persistence of high temperatures under sunny skies and winds transporting pollution into New Hampshire from surrounding areas, NHDES said. Conditions are expected to improve on Friday as lower temperatures and cleaner air move into the region.
Symptoms of ozone exposure include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain when inhaling deeply, and shortness of breath. The severity of the health effects increases as ozone concentrations increase.
For information, call NHDES at (603) 271-1370. For air quality forecasts and current air pollution levels in New Hampshire, call (800) 935-7664 (SMOG) or visit airquality.nh.gov.
Maine has also issued an air quality alert.