Air Quality Message from our Health District

Public messaging from Naugatuck Valley Health District on Air Quality:

The smoke from wildfires over Quebec and Nova Scotia, Canada continues to cause elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) over the northeast part of the United States, including Connecticut and the Valley.

There is an area of dense smoke that is modeled to move into Connecticut over the next few hours with higher smoke density expected than what was observed yesterday.

The highest concentrations of smoke is expected to stay in Connecticut through the evening and into the early hours of Thursday. Lower concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.

Individuals can visit www.AirNow.gov and search the current air quality for their zip code or do the same by downloading the mobile AirNow app.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a scale called the Air Quality Index (AQI) for rating air quality. This scale is based on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels are currently categorized as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

What does this mean?

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:

- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

- Keep outdoor activities short.

- Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

Everyone else – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:

- Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.

- Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.

- Be active outdoors when air quality is better.

You may call the Air Quality Index Hotline at (800) 249-1234 or (860) 424-4167 for the forecast or link to www.Airnow.gov for the most current air quality information.

CT DEEP also maintains this webpage dedicated to air quality: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Air/Forecasting/AQI/Air-Quality-Index?fbclid=...

Jessica Kristy, MPH

Director of Health

Naugatuck Valley Medical Reserve Corps Director

Region 5 Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator

Region 5 ESF #8 Chair

Naugatuck Valley Health District

98 Bank Street, Seymour, CT 06483

P: 203-881-3255 x103 |   F: 203-881-3261

www.nvhd.org

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Business Hours:

Monday - Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm | Friday 8:00am-1:00pm

Please review the attached guidance and stay safe.