A shroud of haze once again filled Vermont skies early Tuesday morning, leading officials to administer a warning to at-risk groups to beware of dangerous air quality.
The number of wildfire smoke particles peaked at 1 a.m. Tuesday and was categorized as an orange alert, meaning that the air was unhealthy for sensitive groups. The number had slowly decreased by 6 a.m., but by midday, the concentration of particles was steadily rising again, according to a report by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
The National Weather Service issued an alert, effective until at least midnight Tuesday, after predicting outdoor air quality levels to break the air quality index value of 100, the threshold for unhealthy air for sensitive groups, throughout the day.
The smoke is blowing in from the Ohio Valley region, but is originally from wildfires in far northwestern Canada, in British Columbia, said Ellen Parr Doering, air toxics coordinator for the NWS air quality and climate division.
Additionally, on a localized basis, air quality problems might be generated by cleaning operations in the aftermath of recent flooding, the National Weather Service advised.
“We have a number of risks that are overlapping each other,” said Parr Doering. “For folks that are responding to the flooding disaster, there are risks there with the mud and dust.”
Outside workers are specifically at risk while cleaning up flood damage, because their exposure to wildfire smoke particles is confounded by the conditions of their work.
The particle pollution, which has been repeatedly high this summer, is especially dangerous for sensitive groups such as those with asthma, heart or lung disease, elderly people, children and teenagers and minority populations, according to a statement from the Vermont Emergency Management Department.
Wildfire smoke is the smallest size of particulate matter, which is the most dangerous for human health because it penetrates deep in the respiratory system, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
According to the NWS alert, it is okay for people to be active outside, though people sensitive to air pollution should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion, take more breaks and do less intense activities.
The alert also noted that people with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep medicine for quick relief handy.
Lastly, people should contact their healthcare provider if they experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath or unusual fatigue, the alert stated.
The forecast looks to be trending in a positive direction for Wednesday, and the air quality is expected to improve to a more acceptable moderate level, Parr Doering said.
