NJDEP issues air quality warning for Mercer County on Tuesday

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued an air quality alert for several New Jersey counties, including Mercer, on Tuesday. Officials said forecast ozone levels could make it difficult for some people to breathe normally outdoors.

The NJDEP has declared a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Middlesex due to ground-level ozone, and the warning is in effect through Tuesday night.

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Weather conditions and the large amount of polluted air could cause ozone levels to rise throughout the day into the category of “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” officials said.

According to airnow.gov, the air quality index (AQI) is expected to be above 100 in some Middlesex County cities on Tuesday. These cities include Princeton, Lawrence Township, East Windsor and West Windsor.

“Sensitive individuals, including the very young, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities in the afternoon and early evening hours,” DEP officials said.

People with lung diseases such as asthma, children and adolescents, older adults, and people who regularly spend six or more hours a day outdoors should reduce their exposure by choosing less strenuous activities or reducing the time they spend outdoors.

According to the National Weather Service, humidity will “increase” throughout the day Tuesday, with highs of between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius expected in most parts of the state.

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