As of 10:30 am Thursday morning, June 8, the previously issued Air Quality Action Day for today is being upgraded to the "Unhealthy" category statewide, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In addition, this alert has been extended to Friday, June 9th at 11:59 pm. Levels of fine particulates will remain in the unhealthy category through the daytime hours today due to the wildfire smoke from eastern Canadian wildfires.
Visit airnow.gov here to see the air quality rating for Berkeley Heights at any moment in time.
According to AirNow.gov, given the air quality right now:
- People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens:
- Avoid physical activities outdoors.
- Everyone else:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities
- Keep outdoor activities short
- Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them
Th NJ DEP-issued Air Quality Action Days for Union County are a result of the smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada. Health officials are urging area residents to limit outdoor activities. All PAL Sports in BH have been canceled for Thursday, June 8. In addition, recycling crews from Giordano were picking up recycling earlier in the morning on Thursday, June 8, in response to these warnings.
We strongly encourage any adults and parents of children with breathing issues to consider keeping their kids indoors, until the air quality improves. Sensitive residents, including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly and the young, may experience more serious side effects from breathing in the air for long periods of time.
The NJ DEP recommends that sensitive individuals, including those with heart of lung disease, the elderly, and the very young should limit strenuous activities and the amount of time outdoors. Incoming rains are expected to help alleviate the issues.
Please do your own due diligence and if the health of yourself or a family member is compromised, consider taking further measures as you see fit.