MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DEP Issues Air Quality Alert

For Immediate Release

Contact: David Madore, Communications Director, david.madore@maine.gov or (207) 287-5842

Martha Webster (207) 287-8093 martha.e.webster@maine.gov

Tom Downs (207) 287-7026 tom.downs@maine.gov

(AUGUSTA)-- Ground-level ozone concentrations will be climbing in Maine on Saturday and are expected to reach unhealthy levels along the coast from Kittery through Acadia according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  Ozone levels have been in the Unhealthy range for several days this week in Southern New England.  Winds are expected to begin transporting these high levels toward Maine after midnight setting the stage for Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups levels of ozone along coastal Maine on Saturday.  Moderate levels of ozone are expected for the Western Interior & Western Mountains region.  Meanwhile, particle pollution levels will likely reach the Moderate range along the coast from Kittery through Acadia and also in western regions of the state.

At elevated ozone levels, children, healthy adults who exert themselves, and individuals suffering from a respiratory disease such as asthma, bronchitis or COPD can experience reduced lung function and irritation.  When this happens, individuals may notice a shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation, and/or experience an uncomfortable sensation in their chest.

Some actions you can take to protect your health during periods of unhealthy air quality include:

• Adjusting your schedule to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon.
• Please consult the Maine CDC website for information on the health impacts of extreme heat and appropriate actions to take (http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/heat/).
• The Maine CDC Asthma Prevention and Control Program has asthma information available at their web site: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/mat/index.htm
• For more information on asthma control visit EPA's Web site www.epa.gov/asthma  to find information about asthma triggers and lessons on asthma management.

In addition to those in a sensitive group, sports coaches, elder care workers, nurses and others who are responsible for the welfare of people impacted by poor air quality are urged to use one of the listed tools to follow the Air Quality Forecast:

• Air Quality Forecast page: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/ which has links to:
• EnviroFlash, EPA’s email and text alert system, http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/enviroflash.html
• Twitter, for sign up information go to: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/twitter.html
• EPA’s mobile app is available at: http://m.epa.gov/apps/airnow.html
• DEP's toll free air quality hotline is 1-800-223-1196

For more information call the contacts listed above or go to DEP’s air quality web site http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/