Heavy smoke from several large wildfires blazing in Canada and Minnesota is impacting air quality in Massachusetts. While the smoke stayed high in the atmosphere and brought a haze on Tuesday, it drifted lower on Wednesday and a smell of smoke was detectable in the Boston area. StormTeam 5 Meteorologist Kelly Ann Cicalese said air quality will be moderately impacted through Thursday.The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued an Air Quality Alert for fine particulates.StormTeam 5 tools: Radar | Map Room | Alerts | FuturecastDr. Sucharita Kher, of Tufts University, recommends limiting time outside for sensitive groups. If you notice itchy eyes, a scratchy throat or trouble breathing, consider limiting your time outside.”If you feel like you’re having symptoms like itchiness of the eye, scratchy throat, you might be experiencing the effects of air pollution,” Kher said. “Among those people with asthma and COPD, making sure you have your inhaler handy, making sure you have your asthma action plan handy.” Fine particle pollution is made up of particles so small they can pass through cloth and even surgical masks.To reduce exposure:Keep windows and doors closed.Run your AC on recirculate if possible.If you have asthma or COPD, keep your inhaler and asthma action plan nearby.Unfortunately, the air quality alert comes in the middle of a potential heat wave, with temperatures expected to peak around 90 degrees and high humidity.”Wow, you could see how smoky our skies were looking this morning. And they’ll continue to have that appearance as we deal with this heat dome,” said Cicalese. “On the edge of this dome, you can see how the upper-level winds help to direct that smoke right in our direction.” Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or fatigue and aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues. Experts suggest reducing or eliminating outdoor activities, wearing a N95 mask if you have to be outside and keeping your indoor air cleaner by closing windows and running an air purifier or air conditioner. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke is one of the leading causes of premature death.
NEEDHAM, Mass. —
Heavy smoke from several large wildfires blazing in Canada and Minnesota is impacting air quality in Massachusetts.
While the smoke stayed high in the atmosphere and brought a haze on Tuesday, it drifted lower on Wednesday and a smell of smoke was detectable in the Boston area. StormTeam 5 Meteorologist Kelly Ann Cicalese said air quality will be moderately impacted through Thursday.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued an Air Quality Alert for fine particulates.
StormTeam 5 tools: Radar | Map Room | Alerts | Futurecast
Dr. Sucharita Kher, of Tufts University, recommends limiting time outside for sensitive groups. If you notice itchy eyes, a scratchy throat or trouble breathing, consider limiting your time outside.
“If you feel like you’re having symptoms like itchiness of the eye, scratchy throat, you might be experiencing the effects of air pollution,” Kher said. “Among those people with asthma and COPD, making sure you have your inhaler handy, making sure you have your asthma action plan handy.”
Fine particle pollution is made up of particles so small they can pass through cloth and even surgical masks.
To reduce exposure:
Keep windows and doors closed.Run your AC on recirculate if possible.If you have asthma or COPD, keep your inhaler and asthma action plan nearby.
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Gloucester
PHOTO: Kathy Perruzzi
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Methuen
PHOTO: Donald Sestini
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Westford
PHOTO: Ken Meharg
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Plymouth
PHOTO: Michaela
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PHOTO: Andrew Abare
Unfortunately, the air quality alert comes in the middle of a potential heat wave, with temperatures expected to peak around 90 degrees and high humidity.
“Wow, you could see how smoky our skies were looking this morning. And they’ll continue to have that appearance as we deal with this heat dome,” said Cicalese. “On the edge of this dome, you can see how the upper-level winds help to direct that smoke right in our direction.”
Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or fatigue and aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues. Experts suggest reducing or eliminating outdoor activities, wearing a N95 mask if you have to be outside and keeping your indoor air cleaner by closing windows and running an air purifier or air conditioner. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke is one of the leading causes of premature death.