Poor air quality forecast for Central Mass. due to Canadian wildfire smoke

The Environmental Protection Agency says that Central and Western Massachusetts are expected to experience poor air quality on Friday due to smoke from wildfires burning in Quebec and Western Canada.

Vermont and parts of New Hampshire are also expected to see poor air quality on Friday.

The air quality index in these areas is forecast to be between 100 to 150, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. People will likely notice hazy skies, reduced visibility and the odor of burning wood.

The EPA says the primary concern is high concentrations of fine particle air pollution that is unhealthy, especially for sensitive groups such as people with respiratory disease, the elderly, or those with compromised health.

People can check the air quality index throughout the day at www3.epa.gov/region1/airquality/aqi.html .

More tips can be found here .

Exposure to elevated fine particle pollution levels can affect the lungs and heart, which may cause breathing problems and aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases. When particulate matter levels are elevated, people are advised to refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially sensitive populations such as children and adults with respiratory problems.

What can you do to help yourself?

Mass.gov states that the following are steps you can take to mitigate any possible effects of wildfire smoke:

• Talk to your doctor about using asthma medications during a wildfire smoke event
• Stay up to date on local air quality information and air quality alerts in your community
• Plan to move outdoor activities indoors during wildfire smoke events
• Close windows and vents in homes and vehicles during wildfire smoke events
• Use high-efficiency (HEPA) air filters in heating and cooling systems
• Learn how to create a clean air room in your home using a box fan
• Have a supply of N95 masks, learn how to use them and practice having your child wear small N95 or surgical masks

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Poor air quality forecast for Central Mass. due to Canadian wildfire smoke