Air Quality Action To Hot Weather This Weekend

Children and older adults, anyone with heart or lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, and people who are active outdoors beware: The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is expecting air pollution concentrations to reach unhealthy levels today and Saturday.

A press release from the DES recommends individuals in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties with the above afflictions take precautions to protect their health during two "Air Quality Action Days." DES recommends limiting prolonged or heavy exertion and says even healthy individuals may experience mild health effects and should consider limiting strenuous activities and prolonged periods outdoors.

DES forecasts unhealthy concentrations of ground-level ozone (the main component of smog) and moderate concentrations of fine particle pollution, which, combined, may intensify health effects.

"Unhealthy air quality is anticipated due to the persistence of high temperatures under sunny skies and light winds transporting pollution into New Hampshire from surrounding areas," the press release says. "Conditions are expected to improve on Sunday as cooler, cleaner air moves into the region.

Symptoms of ozone exposure include:

• coughing
• wheezing
• chest tightness or pain when inhaling deeply, and
• shortness of breath

Symptoms of particle pollution exposure for people with heart disease may include:

• chest pain
• palpitations
• shortness of breath, and
• fatigue

People with existing lung diseases may not be able to breathe as deeply or vigorously as normal and may experience symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. In addition to harmful health effects, fine particle pollution may create hazy conditions that reduce visibility.

Amherst is looking at a high of 93 degrees tomorrow with partly cloudy weather, but things will cool down on Sunday with isolated thunderstorms.

For further information, contact DES at 271-1370.  For air quality forecasts and current air pollution levels in New Hampshire, call 1-800-935-SMOG, visit the DES website at www.airquality.nh.gov, or sign up for personalized email alerts at www.enviroflash.info.