BOSTON — The federal Environmental Protection Agency is warning that Friday’s air quality in parts of New England could be unhealthy for some people.

The regional branch of the EPA says air in coastal Connecticut, all of Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts and southern and central coastal Maine could exceed the Federal air quality standard for ozone.

The agency is recommending people in those areas limit strenuous outdoor activity.

It also recommends people use public transportation, carpool and limit the use of electricity during peak hours Friday to help reduce emissions that contribute to the ozone problem.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection issued its own alert, advising that unhealthy ground-level ozone concentrations are expected to to be confined along the coast from Kittery through Acadia National Park.

The DEP’s alert says children, healthy adults who exert themselves, and individuals suffering from a respiratory disease such as asthma, bronchitis or COPD can experience reduced lung function and irritation.

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The DEP says actions you can take to protect your health today include:

• Adjusting your schedule to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon.

• Consulting the Maine CDC website for information on the health impacts of extreme heat and appropriate actions to take.

• Visiting EPA’s website to find information about asthma triggers and lessons on asthma management.

The National Weather Service office in Gray tweeted this map of today’s predicted high temperatures:


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