Reduced Air Quality Reported for Westwood Area; Advisory for "Sensitive Groups"

Air quality is "unhealthy for sensitive groups" in the Westwood area according to data reported on Saturday, July 1, 2023 by AirNow, an air quality reporter that partners with government agencies. AirNow advises sensitive people - those with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens -to take steps to reduce exposure to unhealthy air. 

While AirNow's PM2.5 measurements of fine particulate matter in the air is not yet updated for all cities and towns on its website, the organization refers to its Fire and Smoke Map for current PM2.5 information. That map show air quality concerns for Westwood and the surrounding area. Cities and towns are marked with orange dots if their PM2.5 data indicates unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups.  The entire Boston metro area, but for a part of Needham which seems to be experiencing relatively good air quality, are marked with orange dots.

Source: AirNow Fire and Smoke Map on July 1, 2023 at 12:22 p.m. The AIrNow map of air quality shows that the Boston metro area is currently experiencing air quality concerns for sensitive populations. Westwood's location is indicated by the blue dot. Click on the map for an interactive view.

While specific measurements of fine particulate matter in the outdoor air isn't yet available for smaller towns, PM2.5 data is available for the larger cities of Boston and  Brockton. AirNow reports an air quality index (AQI) for Boston of 133 and for Brockton of 139. These cities are also designated as areas of air quality concerns for sensitive groups. They are marked by orange dots on the Fire and Smoke map, accordingly, along with the smaller smaller cities and towns that surround them.

AQI measurements of 50 or below are considered "good." An AQI between 51 to 100 indicates "moderate" concerns. Levels from 101 to 150, where Boston and Brockton currently fall, are "unhealthy for sensitive groups." Above 150 is considered varying degrees of "unhealthy." 

Source: https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/

At PM2.5 levels measured for Boston and Brockton, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens are advised to reduce to outdoor air pollution by taking any of several steps:

• Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.
• Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.
• Be active outdoors when air quality is better

For "everyone else who" does not fall into the the sensitive category, AirNow says, "Enjoy your outdoor activities."

Information from the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency's map of area pollution levels on July 1st also shows the same unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups in and around Boston, but does not show information for Westwood or surrounding towns.

Source: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, MassAir Online. The state's air quality map appears less comprehensive than AirNow's Fire and Smoke Map, but shows similar air quality concerns for sensitive groups around Boston, MA on July 1, 2023.

While AirNow doesn't give specific fire(s) responsible for the decreased air quality, smoke from Canadian wildfires has been reported to be affecting air quality in the United States and darkening the skies elsewhere in the world.

Updated 7/1/2023 at 1:25 p.m.

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