Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Press Releases

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07/16/2024

DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone for July 16 - 17

Levels May Be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in Parts of the State During This Time

(HARTFORD) — Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s (˚F) beginning today, with high temperatures persisting into Wednesday. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the entire State through Wednesday. These hot temperatures will contribute to elevated ozone levels for western Connecticut on Tuesday and continuing along the coast on Wednesday. These levels may approach or exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for these parts of Connecticut.

 

Map of Air Quality Forecast for Tuesday, July 16, 2024

  

Map of Air Quality Forecast for Wednesday, July 17, 2024

“With Summer in full swing and record high temperatures, we expect ozone levels to be unhealthy today and tomorrow as air pollution transported into Connecticut combines with local air pollution from transportation sources including higher emitting cars and trucks operating on Connecticut’s roads,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “These conditions will produce unhealthy levels of ozone in western Connecticut today and along the southwestern coast tomorrow.”

“Whenever ozone concentrations reach these levels, vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory diseases should continue to exercise caution and check AirNow regularly. With forecasted high temperature indices exceeding 100 degrees F, even healthy adults who spend prolonged periods outdoors working or exercising should minimize strenuous activities and recognize that poor air quality combined with dangerously high temperatures will affect everyone,” said Dykes.

“During this current heat wave, residents should stay hydrated, take frequent breaks in cooler air-conditioned/shaded areas, and limit the time spent in direct sun,” State Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani, MD, said. “Additionally, more physical tasks should take place in the morning or evening, when the sun is less intense, and temperatures are cooler. Residents also should stay informed with town alerts and updates from their local health departments.”

Commissioner Juthani also encourages residents to utilize a new tool developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where residents can easily input their zip code to view the real-time heat risk in their respective counties. Please visit the DPH website—ct.gov/dph —to access the CDC HeatRisk Tool.

HeatRisk and the Air Quality Index provide information that can help residents take actions to stay safe on hot days or days with poor air quality. These tools can provide information to know when hot outdoor temperatures (HeatRisk) or poor air quality (Air Quality Index) may pose a risk to their health. Educating patients and caregivers about these tools can help ensure they can effectively use the information provided.

Health Effects of Air Pollution

When air quality is forecasted to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG), there is an increased likelihood that individuals in sensitive groups will develop respiratory symptoms and may experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Children and people with asthma or other lung disease are most at risk for experiencing these symptoms. Active children and adults, and people with impaired lung function or cardiovascular disease should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Peak ozone levels generally occur between 2-8 p.m. EDT, so make sure you get your activity or exercise in before or after these times to minimize adverse health effects.

Weather Summary

Weather models predict that an East coast trough will remain over the state on Tuesday and Wednesday while a cold front approaches Connecticut. Temperatures will be in the mid-to-upper 90s on both days before cooling with the passage of the front. Sunny skies and southwest winds will aid in ozone production and transport on both days. The late day frontal passage on Wednesday will confine ozone exceedances to the coast before Canadian high pressure puts an end to the current heat wave and ushers in much better air quality.

What You Can Do to Help

While ozone levels in the northeast have improved significantly over the last 30 years, Connecticut continues to struggle to meet both the 2008 and the 2015 federal health-based standards for ozone, which are necessary to protect families and children from unhealthy air pollution.

Connecticut has made great strides implementing control strategies to reduce air pollution and establish several new programs and initiatives concerning electric vehicle use and reduction of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. To meet the federal health-based standard for ozone, which Connecticut exceeded on 19 days last year, DEEP continues to pursue tools and strategies to further reduce air pollution in Connecticut from sources like cars and trucks while working with EPA to ensure that air transported into Connecticut meets the ozone standard as well.

Additionally, there are steps that we can all take to reduce our contribution to local air pollution. DEEP recommends simple, common-sense steps to reduce air pollution that may even help save you some money at the same time!

  • Drive Less – consider carpooling, vanpooling, using public transit or even telecommuting;
  • Drive Clean – consider purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle. Learn more by visiting: www.driveelectricus.com and CHEAPR - Home (ct.gov);
  • Reduce or Shift Energy Demand – purchase energy efficient products like ENERGY STAR® LED lights and ENERGY STAR® air conditioning, use programmable thermostats set to 78o or higher when no one is home, and use energy intensive appliances like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers later in the day;
  • Be Aware of Your Air – Understand the Air Quality Index and sign up to receive alerts so you will know when air quality is predicted to be unhealthy; and
  • Small changes add up – When you know there will be an unhealthy air day, make small changes to your routine:
  1. Refuel your vehicle after dusk and stop refueling when the nozzle clicks off,
  2. Avoid idling your vehicle unnecessarily and keep tire pressures at their recommended level,
  3. Delay mowing your lawn or using other lawn and garden equipment,
  4. Limit your outdoor activity in the heat of the day,
  5. Refrain from recreational wood burning;
  • Remember that knowledge is power! Ask your school if they participate in the School Flag Program, EPA’s Air Quality awareness tool that uses colored flags based on the AQI to notify teachers, students, administrators and the local community of air quality conditions.

Stay connected and access the daily AQI forecast and real-time air quality data

  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Sign up to get Air-Quality alerts through Enviroflash
  • Visit DEEP’s AQI webpage or call 800-249-1234
  • Go to EPA’s AIRNow web page
  • Download EPA’s AIRnow app for your phone

Ozone Monitoring Season

DEEP monitors, tracks and forecasts daily air quality levels across Connecticut for ozone from May 1st through September 30th each year and for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) each day of the year. On April 30, 2024, DEEP began informing Connecticut’s regulated community and the general public of the ozone season via the State of Connecticut E-mail list serve and posting air quality forecasts on the DEEP web page, available here. 

DEEP encourages daycare providers, summer camps and elder/senior centers to subscribe to the Air Quality Index (AQI).  Subscribing to the AQI is fast and easy and will provide you with important information each day about Connecticut’s air quality through the spring and summer. The AQI link provides facts and information regarding ground-level ozone, its’ health effects, what to do on high ozone days, and most importantly what you can do to help reduce ground level ozone in your backyard.

Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
Facebook: DEEP on Facebook

Contact

DEEP Communications  
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110