Alert Issued To Millions To Monitor Chest Discomfort

Air quality alerts have been announced by local authorities, and shared by the federal National Weather Service (NWS), across Vermont and Maine for Saturday due to pollution levels. A separate air quality alert has also been issued for Mesa County in Colorado due to smoke caused by wildfires.

Why It Matters

According to the NWS sensitive groups, such as children, older people and those with lung or heart disease, may “experience adverse respiratory symptoms” due to the conditions.

What To Know

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (VANR) has issued an air quality alert “for fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke” on Sunday covering Grand Isle, Western Franklin, Orleans, Essex, Western Chittenden, Lamoille, Caledonia, Washington, Western Addison, Orange, Eastern Franklin, Eastern Chittenden and Eastern Addison until 11 p.m. ET in the evening.

The state agency says “all individuals should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion” in impacted areas, with those outside urged to “take more breaks and do less intense activities” while also keeping an eye for symptoms such as shortness of breath or coughing.

Those with heart disease are urged to contact their health care provider if they experience symptoms such as “palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue” which “may indicate a serious problem.” Asthma sufferers should keep their medication handy and follow their action plans.

A separate VANR air quality alert due to particle pollution in wildfire smoke has been issued until 11 p.m. ET on Saturday for Western Rutland, Eastern Rutland, Western Windsor and Eastern Windsor with the same health advice in place. For these areas the air quality index is expected to “approach or exceed” an unhealthy level for sensitive groups.

The VANR has also imposed an air quality alert on Bennington, Western Windham and Eastern Windham until 11 p.m. ET on Saturday due to “fine particulates” which are expected to “approach or exceed the Code Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category.” Those living in these areas are advised to take the same precautions that were suggested for the previous two alerts.

In Maine the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (MDEP) Bureau of Air Quality has issued an air quality alert related to particle pollution for Southern Penobscot, Interior Hancock, Central Washington, Coastal Hancock and Coastal Washington until 11 p.m. ET on Saturday.

The agency advises people to limit strenuous outside physical activity particularly for groups that “may be especially sensitive” such as the elderly and those with respiratory problems.

It adds: “If you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation or an uncomfortable sensation in your chest please consider limiting the intensity and duration of your outdoor activities.”

The MDEP has also issued an air quality alert until 11 p.m. ET on Saturday for Northern Oxford, Northern Franklin, Central Somerset, Southern Oxford, Southern Franklin, Southern Somerset, Interior York, Central Interior Cumberland, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Interior Waldo, Coastal York, Coastal Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, Coastal Waldo and Interior Cumberland Highlands.

Identical health advise has been issued to those in these areas and those covered by the previous MDEP alert with the agency noting: “A plume of smoke moved into Maine overnight bringing much higher particle pollution values than previously expected. As the day progresses, the plume of smoke is expected to keep moving and values should drop down but air quality will continue to be a health concern for much of the day for these regions.”

Those in Maine can call 1-800-223-1196 poll free to get updates on the air quality situation.

Finally an air quality health advisory notice for wildfire and smoke has been issued for Mesa County in Colorado by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment until 9 a.m. MTS on Saturday.

The agency warns: “If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.”

In Florida a NWS heat advisory notice is in place for a number of cities on Saturday with the federal agency warning of the danger from “heat-related illness.”

What People Are Saying

For areas impacted by its alert the VANR said: “It’s OK to be active outside, but take more breaks and do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

“People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy. If you have heart disease: symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider.”

Meanwhile the MDEP said: “The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, the elderly, those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma, those with heart disease and anyone who is working hard outdoors.

“But if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation or an uncomfortable sensation in your chest please consider limiting the intensity and duration of your outdoor activities.”

What Happens Next

Heading into next week a severe heat dome is expected to strike large swathes of the United States with up to 300 temperature records potentially being challenged across the country.