Press Releases
05/19/2026
DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone For Tuesday, May 19th
Levels May Be Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups During This Time
(HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) forecasts that air quality in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, New London, Windham and Tolland counties will reach or exceed levels that are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) on Tuesday, May 19th due to ozone levels in the outdoor air we breathe.
What You Should Do
If you are in a sensitive group, which includes young children, the elderly or anyone who has pre-existing health concerns such as asthma, heart or lung problems, then you should:
- Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense, and take more breaks.
- Watch for symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath and follow your health care provider’s action plan.
For everyone else:
- Limit time outdoors, especially in the afternoon and evening
- Move workouts and activities indoors or reschedule
- Take frequent breaks if you must be outside
If You Feel Symptoms
Stop activity and go indoors right away if you experience:
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Eye or throat irritation
Seek medical care if symptoms are severe or do not improve.
Reduce Your Exposure
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Run air conditioning on recirculate
- Use a HEPA air purifier if available
- Avoid adding indoor pollution (e.g., burning candles, smoking, vacuuming without HEPA filters)
“The first signs of summer are here, higher temperatures, longer days and getting outside — but it’s also an important reminder that high ozone days in Connecticut require us to be pay attention and take the necessary precautions,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "Connecticut suffers from some of the worst air quality in the United States. In 2025 air quality in Connecticut exceeded the federal health-based standards for ozone (smog) on 23 days. Air pollution is linked to respiratory conditions such as asthma and can be a major driver of health care costs. in 2023, Connecticut incurred nearly $120 million in acute care charges due to asthma as a primary diagnosis.”
"If you or someone in your family has asthma, a heart condition, or a respiratory illness — or if you are elderly, pregnant, or caring for young children — today is the day to modify your outdoor plans," said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D. “Stay indoors during peak hours, keep windows closed, run your air conditioning if you have it, and have your rescue inhaler or medications within reach. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities or prolonged physical exertion, which causes you to inhale deeper and faster. DPH is tracking these conditions and coordinating with DEEP. If you experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness, seek medical attention promptly. No outdoor activity is worth a crisis, your health and safety come first."
Weather Summary and Air Quality Alert
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid to upper 90s beginning on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, before moderating on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. These hot temperatures will contribute to elevated ozone levels for southern and eastern portions of the state on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
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 23 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 tele-working;
- Drive Clean – consider purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle. Learn more by visiting: www.driveelectricus.com and CHEAPR - Home (ct.gov);
- Green your lawn – consider using battery-powered mowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers and other battery powered garden equipment around your home;
- 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:
- Refuel your vehicle after dusk and stop refueling when the nozzle clicks off,
- Avoid idling your vehicle unnecessarily and keep tire pressures at their recommended level,
- Delay using gasoline powered mowers and yard equipment,
- Limit your outdoor activity in the heat of the day,
- Refrain from recreational wood burning;
- Remember that knowledge is power! Ask your local 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.
- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110