Press Release

Press Release  MassDEP Air Quality Advisory: Impact Expected Across Southeastern Counties in Massachusetts

Open Burning Advisory Also Posted for All Communities across Massachusetts
For immediate release:
4/13/2023
  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Media Contact   for MassDEP Air Quality Advisory: Impact Expected Across Southeastern Counties in Massachusetts

Edmund Coletta, MassDEP – Director of Public Affairs

WHAT: Due to an expected increase in ozone levels today in southeastern areas of the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) today is issuing an air quality alert effective from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. today, April 13, 2023, for eastern Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket, Bristol, Plymouth and Norfolk counties. Air in these areas is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, such as asthma, older adults, children, teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. People with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to ozone.

MassDEP is advising that people in sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, do less intense activities, follow asthma action plans, and keep quick relief medicine handy. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

MassDEP has also declared an Open Burning Advisory for today across the state and has notified local fire departments that open burning permits are not to be issued today because air pollution levels are predicted to be elevated. Any open burning today would cause and contribute to a condition of air pollution and likely result in further elevating ozone concentrations.

More details are available, including forecasts and real-time data, at MassDEP’s MassAir Online site here.

WHEN: Effective from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. today, April 13, 2023.

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Media Contact   for MassDEP Air Quality Advisory: Impact Expected Across Southeastern Counties in Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 

    MassDEP's mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth's natural resources - air, water, and land - to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth, provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives; and ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.​
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