Ozone Alert For Wednesday: Narragansett

NARRAGANSETT, RI—Ozone levels on Wednesday will be unhealthy, the state Department of Environmental Management says. So DEM is issuing an air quality alert. Here are the details.

Unseasonably warm weather, sunshine, and favorable wind flows will combine for ozone to reach UNHEALTHY levels statewide. Fine particles expected to reach MODERATE. High temperatures into the 80s inland, a bit cooler around the coast with sea breezes. High ozone expected into Thursday as well, but most likely dropping into the MODERATE range statewide due to cloud cover, a chance of showers, and a bit more flow off the water. Fine particles still MODERATE. Highs still in the 80s. A touch cooler on Friday, with highs in the 70s, but ozone may still linger in the MODERATE range.

According to the state health department, moderate to high ozone levels can cause respiratory problems.

The Department of Health warns that unhealthy levels of ozone can cause throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, increased susceptibility to respiratory infection and aggravation of asthma and other respiratory ailments. These symptoms are worsened by exercise and heavy activity. The children, elderly and people who have underlying lung diseases, such as asthma, are at particular risk of suffering from these effects. As ozone levels increase, the number of people affected and the severity of the health effects also increase.

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