Air quality alert issued for 7 Mass. counties

The state's Department of Environmental Protection issued an air quality alert Wednesday across half of the counties in Massachusetts.

The alert, which was sent out due to elevated ozone levels, will last from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. and warns people vulnerable to bad air quality in affected areas to limit their time outside.

The department said in a release that air quality conditions will affect people in the eastern parts of Hampden and Hampshire counties, as well as across Worcester, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex counties.

Poor air quality can be dangerous for people with heart or lung diseases, such as asthma, according to the department. Older adults, children, teens and people who are active outdoors should use caution while the alert remains in effect, it added.

The department advised those groups to reduce outdoor activities, take longer breaks, follow asthma action plans and watch for symptoms of coughing or shortness of breath.