Connecticut Residents Impacted by Poor Air Quality

In July 2021, Connecticut experienced three days with an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 100 for “fine particles” (such as those found in smoke and haze), which are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less - PM 2.5. Air with an AQI above 100 is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)¹, which includes people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children. Exposure to particle pollution is linked to a variety of significant health problems, ranging from aggravated asthma to premature death in people with heart and lung disease. Fine particles are a health concern because fine particles can easily reach the deepest parts of the lungs.²

The cause of the poor air quality is reported to be the wildfires (over 90 separate active fires across the western United States (U.S.) and 242 active uncontrolled fires across Canada) that are creating smoke plumes that impact Connecticut’s air quality.

Fire and Smoke Map – Current Conditions – August 6, 2021³

 The area of wildfires in the U.S. and higher than normal area of wildfires in Canada⁴ are believed to be due to abnormally dry weather in the western U.S. and Canada.⁵  As the climate continues to change, historically dry areas are likely to experience less precipitation and increased risk of drought. While Connecticut residents might not think they can do anything about the fires in the western U.S. and Canada, reducing the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) here in Connecticut and globally should reduce the rate of climate warming.

What you can do to reduce your carbon footprint?

Get involved! Connecticut has been a longtime leader on climate change, and has developed and supported forward-thinking climate-related policies and legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions. In addition, EPA has identified 10 actions that can reduce your carbon footprint.

Resources:

^{1  _{AirNow, Air Quality Index Basics; https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/}
2  _{Connecticut Department of Health; https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Environmental-Health/Environmental-and-Occupational-Health-Assessment/Air-Pollution} 
3  _{AirNow Fire and Smoke Map; https://fire.airnow.gov/}
4  _{Year to date area of wildfires in Canada is 172% higher than the 10-year average; https://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/report}
5  _{The North American Drought Monitor Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for the first six months of 2021 indicates that most of the area in the western U.S. and Canada experienced drought conditions.}}