Air Quality Alert Issued For MA: What It Means

MASSACHUSETTS — As temperatures creep into the low 90s this week, residents should also keep an eye on their outdoor time for another reason.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality alert for much of the state that's active through 11 p.m. Monday.

This alert is for ground-level ozone levels, officials said, meaning that the levels with the region "may approach or exceed levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups."

Those groups include people with asthma, lung or heart disease and older adults, officials said. People in sensitive groups should limit their outdoor activity, officials said.

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Just north in New Hampshire, National Weather Service officials have issued a heat advisory for the early parts of this week.

Though temperatures in Massachusetts are creeping into the low 90s this week, the Bay State avoided the advisory, at least for now.

However, Boston has declared a heat emergency this week, something the city does when it expects at least two consecutive days of 95-degree temperatures or higher.

“Our top priority is ensuring our residents and families are healthy and safe during this period of intense heat,” said Mayor Michelle Wu, in a statement. “As temperatures continue to rise, the City is here to support residents in every way possible across every neighborhood. We encourage all of our community members to please take care of yourselves, check on your neighbors, and be prepared to stay cool and safe.”

During a heat wave, Boston Emergency Medical Services typically experiences a 10 to 15 percent increase in calls to 9-1-1 for people of all ages, officials said.

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