July 22, 2011

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FORECAST EXTENDS UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY FOR PARTS OF CONNECTICUT FOR SATURDAY JULY 23

Department of Public Health and Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Make Health and Safety Recommendations for this Weekend

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has extended the Air Quality Alert due to elevated concentrations of ground-level ozone pollution across southern Connecticut for Saturday, July 23, 2011. High pressure off the east coast of the United States continues to allow for a combination of sunny skies, hot temperatures and west-southwest surface winds over Connecticut through Saturday which will produce ideal conditions for ozone formation and transport of air pollution into Connecticut.

A forecast of "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (Code Orange) has been issued for coastal Connecticut due to high concentrations of ground-level ozone for Saturday, July 23, 2011. The air quality is expected to return to normal by Sunday July 24, when cooler drier air replaces the steamy air mass that is currently over the northeast.

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Daniel C. Esty said, "Our energy use impacts the air we all breathe and by working together we can all help to conserve energy and prevent air pollution. We can take steps to conserve energy at home by turning up our thermostat by a degree or two, and on the road by avoiding unnecessary vehicle trips and idling and, if possible, putting off mowing the lawn until it cools down a little outside."

"Anyone can be affected by ground-level ozone, but groups particularly sensitive include children, adults who are active outdoors, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma," said Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. "Asthmatics and people with other forms of respiratory disease should take basic precautions, such as refraining from exercise and staying inside. Even healthy adults should take common precautions, such as not exercising outside, especially during the middle of the day when ozone levels are likely to be highest."

"Poor air quality is occurring in much of the state at this time and is forecast to continue during the next two days. This will present an additional stress for the elderly, young children, and those persons with respiratory conditions. Please check in on elderly neighbors during this period of extreme heat and poor air quality," said Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford.

Link to current Air Quality Levels in CT: http://www.epa.gov/airnow/current/ct-aqi_current_hour.gif
More ideas to reduce air pollution are available at http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2684&q=321800&depNav_GID=1619

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For Immediate Release: July 22, 2011

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