WPRO News and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management has issued an air quality alert for Tuesday.
The agency says hot and humid conditions with west to southwest winds during the afternoon and evening hours will lead to unhealthy air from elevated ground level ozone. Ozone is a major component of smog formed by the reaction of automobile and industrial pollution in heat and sunlight.
The state health department says the conditions can cause throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath and aggravation of asthma and respiratory conditions. The symptoms are worse during exercise and heavy activity.
People are urged to limit driving, use of gasoline-powered lawn mowers, and not to use lighter fuel for barbecues, or solvent-based household products that all contribute to air pollution.
Temperatures in the 90s are expected around the region.
