Air Quality Alert In Worcester County As Heat Peaks: MassDEP

WORCESTER, MA — The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality advisory, warning of potentially poor air quality on Wednesday as temperatures rise to near 90.

The advisory covers a wider area between Boston and Springfield, with fine particle and ozone levels moving toward unhealthy levels, according to MassDEP.

"Air is forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including those with lung or heart disease, older adults, and children," the agency said of ozone levels in the region.

Air quality levels were good as of Wednesday morning, but were expected to deteriorate in Worcester County near air monitoring stations in Uxbridge, Worcester Airport and in Ware.

Wednesday will likely be the warmest day of the week amid a burst of high temperatures. Highs could hit near 90 in Worcester and across the eastern half of the state, and slightly higher in the Connecticut River valley and in the Fitchburg area.