Alert: Middletown's Air Quality Tue-Wed Unhealthy for the Sensitive

An alert for unhealthy air quality for those with health issues has been issued for Tuesday in Middletown, according to a bulletin issued by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Monday's air quality index was 36 and Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be 104 AQI, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including young children, older adults and those with lung or heart disease. The scale, ranging from good to hazardous, is measured by a number ranging from zero to 500 by the DEEP.

Air pollution levels of ground-level ozone and/or particles are predicted to be in the "unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or above category.

During the warm seasons, unhealthy ground-level ozone concentrations may cause a variety of respiratory problems including breathing difficulty, coughing, and throat irritation.

In the cold season, particle pollution predominates. Health effects such as: aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, nonfatal heart attacks, and even pre-mature death in people with heart and lung disease; have also been linked with prolonged exposure of particles.

• Conserve energy at home and at work by setting your [air conditioner] thermostat at a higher temperature in the summer and a lower temperature in the winter.
  
• Choose a cleaner commute: share a ride or use public transportation.
  
• During winter-time particulate matter events, cut back on wood stove use during stagnant atmospheric conditions.
  
• Reduce use of gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.
  
• Refuel motor vehicles after dusk.
  
• Combine errands and reduce trips. Limit engine idling.
  
• Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum, or try to delay using them when unhealthy air is forecast.
  

• Good. The AQI value for your community is between 0 and 50. Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no health risk. 
  
• Moderate. The AQI is between 51 and 100. Air quality is acceptable; however, pollution in this range may pose a moderate health concern for a very small number of individuals. People who are unusually sensitive to ozone or particle pollution may experience respiratory symptoms. 
  
• Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. When AQI values are between 101 and 150, members of sensitive groups may experience health effects, but the general public is unlikely to be affected. 
  

• Ozone: People with lung disease, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors are considered sensitive and therefore at greater risk.
• Particle pollution: People with heart or lung disease, older adults,1 and children are considered sensitive and therefore at greater risk.