(AGENPARL) – lun 06 maggio 2024 Issued: May 6, 2024 (11:19am EDT)
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EPA reminds New Englanders to use free air quality monitoring tools this
summer
Air Quality Awareness Week is May 6 – 10, 2024
BOSTON (May 6, 2024) – With the onset of warmer weather, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency urges New Englanders to be aware of the
increased risk of ground-level ozone (often referred to as smog) and fine
particle air pollution, when combined, and to take health precautions when air
quality levels are predicted to be high. EPA and the New England states
continue to offer free resources and tools for the public to monitor the
latest air quality forecasts.
“The New England States have made great strides in reducing air emissions,
but ozone air pollution continues to be a significant public health issue in
our communities,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash.
“We also know that many historically underserved communities have suffered
from exposure to more air pollution over the years and may also suffer from
higher asthma rates. When air quality is poor, we can all take individual
actions to reduce our emissions that contribute to air pollution, such as
reducing energy use and driving less.”
Warm summer temperatures aid in the formation of ground-level ozone. The
current ozone standard, set in 2015, is 0.070 parts per million (ppm) on an
8-hour average basis. Air quality alerts are issued when ozone concentrations
exceed, or are predicted to exceed, this level. EPA’s New England office posts
a list of exceedances of the ozone standard, by date and monitor location, at
Current AQI in New England.
Although the number of unhealthy days varies from year to year due to weather
conditions, New England has experienced a significant decrease in the number
of unhealthy ozone days over the long term. For the 2015 ozone standard, New
England had 118 unhealthy days in 1983, compared with 21 in 2023. This
downward trend is mainly due to a reduction in emissions from powerplants,
mobile sources, and other industrial facilities. Despite this progress, we
continue to work in partnership with our states to reduce the number of
unhealthy air quality days across New England, particularly in southern New
England.
As climate change increases the probability of unseasonably warm weather and
wildfires, poor air quality events are predicted to increase in frequency.
Between March and September 2023, there were 12 days in which fine particulate
matter (PM2.5) monitors recorded PM2.5 concentrations above levels to be
considered healthy. In addition to hazy skies and reduced visibility,
wildfires from Canada elevated the 24-hour PM2.5 concentrations for New
England. PM2.5 are inhalable particles with diameters that are generally 2.5
micrometers and smaller. For reference the largest PM2.5 particles are about
30-times smaller than a human hair. EPA and the U.S. Forest Service developed
a map to give the public information on fire locations, smoke plumes, near
real-time air quality and actions to take to protect your health in one place.
The map is available at http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iqz6hAvLdUl-2FaSixKUG3i8vVGWROq0jEFqRKaty5hdn5G8jg1-2Fvglpe9SAEZ1DG-2F3Exc_-2B0Ok6Af7hyz7Kqg6CR74pYblAA1WjrUjKSJUAiv3NOub0DC4O7JPWGxIlQ7kBB-2FSTif0n5lRZEZPkS8YqI2u8eCAa1PyyvCW4ab8DsLKSlPkzk-2BN96ZFuTP-2FgCgNDd4pjvSY3Dd7z5DHKTScZVCcwHbqUrfyQj7xsuGeUW6DJVAj5-2FBH-2BqT-2BqbXC0ai-2FF-2B7kR1Bw0-2FBau5UISkliGksL36ahaYgaazRRfj5F-2F-2FErshvsBJrDFBxGaRhO6ANy7f2FRkxwXl9b3qLz-2Bq3AN60wpQ-3D-3D
Pollution sources that contribute to smog formation are diverse. They include
cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses; industrial sources; and fossil-fuel
burning at electric generating stations, particularly on hot days. Smaller
sources, such as gasoline stations and print shops, and household products,
such as paints and cleaners, as well as gasoline-powered lawn and garden
equipment, also contribute to the formation of smog.
Here are some of the actions everyone can take to reduce air pollution:
Use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible.
Combine errands and carpool to reduce driving time and mileage.
Avoid using small gasoline-powered engines, such as lawn mowers, string
trimmers, chain saws, power-washers, air compressors, and leaf blowers.
Avoid outdoor burning, including leaf burning and use of firepits and
campfires.
In addition, during poor air quality events, it is important to reduce
household energy usage, such as setting air conditioners to a higher
temperature, turning off unnecessary lights, equipment, and appliances. EPA’s
ENERGY STAR Program also provides trusted guidance and online tools to help
homeowners make smart decisions about improving the energy efficiency of their
homes.
In March 2023, EPA finalized federal plans that would cut pollution from power
plants and industrial sources that significantly contribute to unhealthy
levels of ground-level ozone, or smog, for millions of Americans who live
downwind from those facilities. This “good neighbor” policy will help air
quality in many areas of New England. Additionally, on March 20, 2024, EPA
finalized standards to further reduce harmful air pollutant emissions from
light-duty and medium-duty vehicles starting with model year 2027. On March
29, 2024, EPA also issued a final rule to revise existing standards to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles in model year 2027 and set
new, more stringent standards for model years 2028 through 2032.These new
vehicle standards will help ensure that air pollution levels improve over the
years to come.
Poor air quality affects everyone, but those who are active outdoors and/or
have respiratory diseases, such as asthma, are more sensitive. When air
quality is predicted to be “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” EPA and states
announce an air quality alert for the affected areas. On these days, EPA
recommends that people in these areas limit strenuous outdoor activity and
asks that the public and businesses take actions to help reduce air pollution
and protect public health.
Tools and information:  
Real-time ozone data and air quality forecasts for New England air quality:
http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iqz6hAvLdUl-2FaSixKUG3i7ogV48omgItKIVi5qY3nOQ7sENAoJ8c-2F2oVyjFhcvSNEWgOOz5xZkE99pMxcdeo8A-3D-3DBm4Y_-2B0Ok6Af7hyz7Kqg6CR74pYblAA1WjrUjKSJUAiv3NOub0DC4O7JPWGxIlQ7kBB-2FSTif0n5lRZEZPkS8YqI2u8eCAa1PyyvCW4ab8DsLKSlMsWNDUYNi4r9cHFFfSbZMmIeKZ5oj87UHtpAUcStqIxgbyzcJY9sfq4E465bC5va0-2BO0yaF-2F-2BK7ZXJAImvVJJ7AMlf05HBWXEMtpNoptKAXLiw-2BiRYwNBTJWGljkiYy7qTH1QBjIvcN3ehg-2FMlpVlPzwFS7p0LI-2B3jo-2F1oqhhoBw-3D-3D
National real-time air quality data (free iPhone and Android apps)?? 
AirNow: http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iqz6hAvLdUl-2FaSixKUG3i9xQeEaX4n0r-2B5OLO26f9Q-2BNt-2FiCtpIeeHRQHqhVNfEZa2yq_-2B0Ok6Af7hyz7Kqg6CR74pYblAA1WjrUjKSJUAiv3NOub0DC4O7JPWGxIlQ7kBB-2FSTif0n5lRZEZPkS8YqI2u8eCAa1PyyvCW4ab8DsLKSlO0OkPE-2BY1ySLjJYmYscgB9Xvebot-2BF8bkddEXfTT2wn63fPTPofg-2BT9QwokB-2Bj4aRrRERKn2QHMXSoJ1HI1HoGz8yhirW2bS-2BKoKNk38LYGuMbUiHIWM7FmoTruUaWpnoF7sjksjlQLPJHk-2FoVRq-2F15kIhHstX97eNd8G-2BTH-2Faww-3D-3D
Air Quality Alerts from EnviroFlash: http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iqz6hAvLdUl-2FaSixKUG3i98EzB1DjJBgLureHf6DPfHCpwjrgWA0Rg0RsNBrTV0AM7D1_-2B0Ok6Af7hyz7Kqg6CR74pYblAA1WjrUjKSJUAiv3NOub0DC4O7JPWGxIlQ7kBB-2FSTif0n5lRZEZPkS8YqI2u8eCAa1PyyvCW4ab8DsLKSlMe3yMshYaoFP2Sn6p31CdpyPVYHjmGzIZgCxMOOQgoAUb5yzMsKKcbZP5pnktlzwOj81XEAnfu63yBHBg9-2F8byBITv8vc56Fn-2FK-2Bt205gpZy22C2fx6Pm3W-2FZ5x67dS3MBDWpEdFTUcZOIgT588ARLZ2yqTox-2BDqrwD2eImbJAjg-3D-3D
AirNow Fire and Smoke Map: http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iqz6hAvLdUl-2FaSixKUG3i8vVGWROq0jEFqRKaty5hdllshGgbnmk0jULy-2BXKkgVPZuXv_-2B0Ok6Af7hyz7Kqg6CR74pYblAA1WjrUjKSJUAiv3NOub0DC4O7JPWGxIlQ7kBB-2FSTif0n5lRZEZPkS8YqI2u8eCAa1PyyvCW4ab8DsLKSlNpyDUpuFNzXCnETo-2F-2B4T7Dd8a11VeTHnVjzyWnM8WVgP6QHverjzH6wA0tAImyqRTqYorOlp0t3VO2sRAu8BYjkmtL0D71M-2BA-2Foew2zcR9mqTLr15IX-2FKb6PbgJHOWEH3aPvc5RaiOpR3iHE6FR6seHY3QRrxVFs5erDioBoDTQA-3D-3D
EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program: http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=u001.iqz6hAvLdUl-2FaSixKUG3iwZJugEb4VMkYljy9-2FYqEZSBytXr0JY0DjCETgWWDtVu9mgC_-2B0Ok6Af7hyz7Kqg6CR74pYblAA1WjrUjKSJUAiv3NOub0DC4O7JPWGxIlQ7kBB-2FSTif0n5lRZEZPkS8YqI2u8eCAa1PyyvCW4ab8DsLKSlNuZqHYKRFsfPuuPV65cHQU4fNH35dC4OdkYZPyN2iDP-2BuQtXv6BWx97UpTW-2BR8oQJFX-2FPkm3YGdrZ54b4efuzIdceuFagGTz1zDKrm1KAxkK0XwqlZ-2Fid8pCnuqnVbgQuq0d2yPECiwYZB89Zs0GR-2BnnXARMNYfSDoZ-2BfRBaxqww-3D-3D
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