In a Air Quality Bulletin issued this morning, the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services said, yesterday the air quality reached unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, with the threat level being medium, one level above elevated. However, though the Air Quality has improved to moderate levels today, the threat of health problems is expected to be elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people such as asthmatics.
The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA, continues to encourage the main vulnerable groups of people: children, the elderly and those living with respiratory and heart disease to have their medications on hand, wear a mask and reduce physical exertion outdoors.
The full Air Quality bulletin below:Air Quality Index Based on Particulate Matters 2.5 (PM2.5) and 10 (PM10) Concentration
Air quality category: Moderate
Timing: Until Tuesday morning
Synopsis: The air quality has improved to moderate levels and will continue this way until Tuesday morning, as a result of a continuation of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated with a surge in Saharan Dust. The threat of health problems is expected to be elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics. Yesterday, the air quality reached unhealthy for sensitive groups, with the threat level being medium, one level above elevated.
Air quality index: 50 to 70 Alert Level: II
Sensitive groups: People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children are the groups most at risk.
Health implications: Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Caution: Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.