Air quality warnings spanning seven states on Tuesday are prompting advisories for millions of Americans to avoid outdoor exertion and indoor pollutants like candle.
Why It Matters
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ozone exposure can irritate the respiratory system, leading to coughing, throat discomfort, and pain during deep breathing. It can inflame and damage the airways, increase vulnerability to infections, and worsen existing lung conditions like asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Even healthy individuals may experience symptoms, though those with lung diseases are at greater risk for more severe effects, it says.
What To Know
The alerts, issued by the National Weather Service in conjunction with regional agencies, highlight parts of California, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maryland.
Ground-level ozone and particle pollution levels were expected to reach thresholds considered unhealthy, particularly for sensitive populations including children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions.
Among the affected Rhode Island cities were Foster, Smithfield, Providence, Coventry, Warwick, Bristol and Newport.
In Massachusetts, Taunton, Brockton, Plymouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Mattapoisett, Chatham, Falmouth, Provincetown, Vineyard Haven, and Nantucket were affected by the alert.
New Haven, Middlesex, and New London Counties in Connecticut were under alert, while in New Jersey, the alert focused on Bergen, Eastern Passaic, Hudson, Essex, and Union Counties.
In New York, New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties were affected, as was northeast Maryland.
In Southern California’s Coachella Valley, windblown dust also prompted an air quality alert. Residents were urged to keep doors and windows closed, avoid outdoor activity, and not use candles, fireplaces, or other sources of pollution during the advisory.
Those in the affected area were also advised to carpool, reduce trips, or take public transportation if possible.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek previously: “Ozone is a secondary pollutant, meaning it’s not emitted directly from sources, but is formed through chemical reactions. These reactions require sunlight and higher temperatures, making warmer months more prone to ozone formation. When air is stagnant, pollutants don’t get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels.
“Ozone pollution is often more severe in urban areas where there are higher concentrations of pollutants from sources like cars, power plants, and industrial activities.”
ABC7 New York meteorologist Brittany Bell said on X, Tuesday: “The Air Quality Index could once again reach unhealthy levels today. An Air Quality Alert is in effect midday through this evening.”
What Happens Next
At time of writing, the majority of the air quality alerts were set to remain in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday local time, while California’s alert was set to expire at 8 a.m.
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