Air Quality Warning Expands To Another New Hampshire County: Follow-Up

CONCORD, NH — Incoming air mass and heat wave, according to state environmental officials, are leading to a warning about air pollution concentrations in two New Hampshire counties.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services issued an “air quality action day” alert on Tuesday, warning that air pollution levels could be unhealthy for sensitive individuals in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties on Wednesday. Sensitive individuals, officials said, include children and older adults or anyone with lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. People who are active outdoors could also be affected.

“Any individuals who are considering vigorous or prolonged outdoor activities should take appropriate caution,” the alert stated.

Ground-level ozone, the main component of smog, will rise to harmful levels in the afternoon and evening. The pollution comes from winds outside New Hampshire and will combine with local emissions. Mix in the high temperatures, and there is a potential for air quality issues.

Officials said they believe air quality will improve by Friday when rain moves into the region.

Visit the department’s air quality forecast website, linked here, and current air pollution levels website here.

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