AUGUSTA — Ground-level ozone concentrations will be climbing in Maine on Monday, June 18, and are expected to reach unhealthy levels according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, in a news release.

Unhealthy levels of ozone are expected along the coast from Kittery through Acadia National Park while Moderate levels are expected for the Western and Eastern Interior reigons and the Downeast Coastal Region.

In addition, Particle Pollution levels are expected to reach the Moderate range for the interior regions and the coast from Kittery through Acadia. Furthermore, it will be very hot. Heat combined with several pollutants can exacerbate symptoms in sensitive individuals.

At elevated ozone levels, children, healthy adults who exert themselves, and individuals suffering from a respiratory disease such as asthma, bronchitis or COPD can experience reduced lung function and irritation. When this happens, individuals may notice a shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation, and/or experience an uncomfortable sensation in their chest.

Some actions you can take to protect your health during periods of unhealthy air quality include:

Adjusting your schedule to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon.
Please consult the Maine CDC website for information on the health impacts of extreme heat and appropriate actions to take: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/heat/
The Maine CDC Asthma Prevention and Control Program has asthma information available at their web site: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/mat/index.htm
For more information on asthma control visit EPA's Web site www.epa.gov/asthma to find information about asthma triggers and lessons on asthma management.
In addition to those in a sensitive group, sports coaches, elder care workers, nurses and others who are responsible for the welfare of people impacted by poor air quality are urged to use one of the listed tools to follow the Air Quality Forecast:

Air Quality Forecast page: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/ which has links to:
EnviroFlash, EPA's email and text alert system, http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/enviroflash.html
Twitter, for sign up information go to: http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/twitter.html
EPA's mobile app is available at: http://m.epa.gov/apps/airnow.html
DEP's toll free air quality hotline is 1-800-223-1196
For more information call the contacts listed above or go to DEP's air quality web site http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/ozone/