Air quality alert still in effect for Connecticut on Wednesday
Wildfires in Canada created another smoky day in Connecticut on Wednesday, with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issuing an air quality alert that was set to expire at midnight.
Most of Connecticut saw “unhealthy” air quality levels, according to the Fire and Smoke Map compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency, which suggests individuals “reduce activity or consider going indoors” in such conditions.
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DEEP earlier this week issued an air quality alert that remained in effect until late Tuesday before another such alert was issued for Wednesday. The air quality issues — which create a hazy look to the sky — have been caused by hundreds of wildfires in Quebec, as smoke from the fires has moved southeast and prompted air quality alerts in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and other surrounding states. The smoke has caused fine particulate matter, known as PM 2.5, to pollute the air.
When the PM 2.5 levels are “unhealthy,” as was the case in most parts of Connecticut Wednesday, the EPA suggests healthy individuals keep outdoor activities “light and short.”
“Go indoors if you have symptoms,” the EPA suggests.
Symptoms can include nausea, fatigue, headache and shortness of breath. The EPA recommends individuals with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and people who are pregnant to “consider moving all activities indoors” when the air quality is at unhealthy levels.
DEEP in the morning hours Wednesday did not yet have an air quality forecast for Thursday.