“Air is unhealthy for sensitive children and adults”

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued an “air quality alert” for Wednesday. (MassDEP map)

The dreaded air quality warnings are back.

State environmental officials warned Wednesday that the air is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive populations as temperatures rise above 90 degrees in places.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality warning because there is more ground-level ozone in the atmosphere than usual.

“An air quality warning means that ground-level ozone concentrations in the region may reach or exceed levels that are harmful to the health of sensitive groups,” the Boston office of the National Weather Service released.

“Air is unhealthy for sensitive children and adults, such as those with asthma, lung or heart disease, and older adults,” added NWS Boston. “Sensitive children and adults should limit prolonged outdoor activities.”

The warning applies to Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk and Worcester counties, as well as eastern Hampden and Hampshire counties.

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Air Quality Alert: MassDEP has issued an Air Quality Alert for Sensitive Populations, effective tomorrow (May 22) from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the East #Hampden And #Hampshire counties, as well #Worcester, #Middlesex, #Norfolk, #SuffolkAnd #Essex Counties: https://t.co/rL3Rm8inji pic.twitter.com/qney3yCss6

– MassDEP (@MassDEP) May 21, 2024

“If you’re outside, remember to take it easy,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Rob Megnia. “If you don’t feel well, go inside for a while until you feel better.”

Last summer, MassDEP issued numerous air quality warnings due to smoke from Canadian wildfires in the region.

Wednesday’s air quality warning is not due to wildfire smoke, while other parts of the country are struggling again this year.