PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – June 5, 2023
Contact:
Bennet Leon, Air Quality Planning Section Chief
Department of Environmental Conservation
802-249-4221, Bennet.Leon@vermont.gov
Vermont DEC Issues Air Quality Alert for Monday Through Tuesday
Montpelier, Vt. – The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation is issuing an air quality alert for Vermont beginning at 3:00 PM on Monday, June 5, 2023. Fine particle pollution (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke originating in Quebec is expected to impact Vermont Monday afternoon through Tuesday.
Residents in western Vermont may experience levels of PM2.5 in the unhealthy for sensitive groups category on the Air Quality Index at times during the late afternoon hours on Monday and to continue through Tuesday. Air quality is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups when the Air Quality Index is above 100. The Air Quality Index is expected to be 140.
The department is monitoring the wildfire smoke to assess how long poor air quality will persist in Vermont. For up-to-date air quality forecasts and current air pollution levels in Vermont, visit AirNow.gov.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion during this time. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. People who are active outdoors, including outdoor workers, should watch for respiratory symptoms. It is possible for healthy people to experience symptoms as well. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. These are signs to take it easy or move indoors.
Actions for people to take:
- Sign up for air quality alerts: Scientists predict Vermont will see more days with poor air quality this summer and well into the future due to changing fire conditions as well as climate change. Signing up for this alert is an important way to stay safe throughout the year when these types of issues come up.
- Sign up for VT-ALERT to receive emergency air quality alerts.
- Users will receive notifications when there is unhealthy air quality as well as guidance on how to protect themselves from poor air quality. If users signed up for VT-Alert prior to 2022, they may need to modify their settings to receive air quality alerts.
- Find the Air Quality alerts under Subscriptions, Health Alerts.
- Sign up for EnviroFlash to receive daily air quality forecasts and alert notifications.
- Sign up for VT-ALERT to receive emergency air quality alerts.
- Learn more:
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The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for protecting Vermont's natural resources and safeguarding human health for the benefit of this and future generations. Visit dec.vermont.gov and follow the Department of Environmental Conservation on Facebook and Instagram.
One-hour average particulate pollution contribution from wildfire smoke. Units are micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). Source: HRRR-Smoke Hourly PM2.5, Model run 20230605-00Z; Hour displayed is 2023-06-05T23:00:00 (7:00 PM, June 5, 2023).
One-hour average particulate pollution contribution from wildfire smoke. Units are micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). Source: HRRR-Smoke Hourly PM2.5, Model run 20230605-00Z; Hour displayed is 2023-06-05T23:00:00 (7:00 PM, June 5, 2023).