EPA Warns Of Poor Air Quality For N.E. Coastal Areas

Environmental officials are predicting unhealthy air quality for coastal areas of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island due to ground-level ozone.

Poor air quality is expected to continue through Saturday on the south coast of Massachusetts, on Cape Cod and the Islands, in eastern coastal Connecticut and in southern Rhode Island.

Curt Spalding, the regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency's New England office, said people can help reduce smog-forming emissions by cutting down on driving. The EPA also recommends avoiding the use of small gasoline-powered engines, such as those found on lawn mowers, tractors, power washers, leaf blowers and chain saws.

Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause breathing problems. The EPA recommends that people refrain from strenuous outdoor activities, particularly children and adults with respiratory problems.