UNHEALTHY
AIR blankets Charlestown and the rest of Rhode Island
It's going to be beastly hot today, even in Charlestown where temps are forecast to possibly hit 90 degrees.As of 11 AM, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Health Department issued an air quality alert that will stay in place until 11 PM tonight. It should be better tomorrow.
The
poor air quality will be due to elevated ground-level ozone concentrations.
Ozone
is a major component of smog and is formed by the photochemical reaction of
pollutants emitted by motor vehicles, industry and other sources in the
presence of elevated temperatures and sunlight. Poor air quality
may potentially last into Monday, as conditions for ozone formation
could remain favorable.
Rhode
Island residents can help reduce air pollutant emissions.
Limit
car travel and the use of small engines, lawn motors, and charcoal lighter
fuels.
Travel
by bus or carpool whenever possible, particularly during high ozone periods.
The
Rhode Island 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.
To
avoid experiencing these effects, limit outdoor exercise and strenuous activity
and stay in an air-conditioned environment if possible during the afternoon
through late into the evening hours when ozone levels are highest.
Schedule
outdoor exercise and children's outdoor activities in the morning hours.
Individuals who experience respiratory symptoms may wish to consult their
doctors.
The
Rhode Island Chapter of the American Lung Association reminds people that "when you can't breathe, nothing else
matters."
Below
are some ways that you can help contribute to lower ground level ozone levels
and cleaner air:
1. Limit driving. Avoid unnecessary car
trips. Carpool, walk or ride the bus or a bicycle whenever possible.
2. Minimize starts and
avoid unnecessary acceleration. Vehicle emissions are highest during
starting and acceleration.
3. Reduce idling. Avoid congested traffic
and lines at drive-through windows.
4. Drive your lowest
emission vehicle.
Use the most fuel-efficient, usually the newest, car you have whenever
possible.
5. Maintain your vehicle. Get a tune-up at the
beginning of each summer.
6. Minimize lawn mower
emissions.
Tune-up your lawn mower and use electric or hand-powered equipment if possible.
7. Limit use of
solvent-based household products. Use water-based or low solvent paints,
varnishes, cleaners, and personal care products.
8. Limit barbecue
emissions.
Use an electric starter instead of lighter fluid to start charcoal fires, or
use an electric, natural gas, or propane grill.
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