Unhealthy Air Pollution Levels, Heat in Salem Today

As temperatures are expected to give locals one last summer hurrah Wednesday thanks to highs in the mid-90s and heat index values north of 100 degrees, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is also expecting air pollution concentrations to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive individuals in Rockingham County. 

DES officials are calling for an Air Quality Action Day and advise sensitive individuals in this area to take precautions to protect their health by limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory in parts of the state due to the high temperatures, making Wednesday a hazardous day for many. 

Sensitive individuals include children and older adults, anyone with lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, and people who are active outdoors, according to DES. Even healthy individuals may experience mild health effects and should consider limiting strenuous or prolonged outdoor activities.

DES forecasts unhealthy concentrations of ground-level ozone for sensitive individuals. The expected unhealthy air quality is due to the persistence of high temperatures under sunny skies and light winds transporting pollution into New Hampshire from surrounding areas. Conditions are expected to improve on Thursday as clouds and cleaner air move into the region.

Symptoms of ozone exposure include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain when inhaling deeply, and shortness of breath. The severity of the health effects increases as ozone concentrations increase.