WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) says RI is getting $178,046 more in federal funding to help detect bad air quality from events like wildfires and industrial pollution to keep the public informed.
The news comes as As Rhode Island’s air quality continues to be impacted by significant wildfires in Canada. This week, DEM announced that an Air Quality Alert is being issued for unhealthy fine particles on the Air Quality Index. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned Rhode Islanders that hazy skies, reduced visibility, and a wood-burning odor may be likely, and that the smoke from Canada could linger for a few days in northern states.
Smoke levels may be variable so check for more information about DEM’s air quality forecast, at: https://dem.ri.gov. Updated fire and smoke information can also be found on EPA’s fire and smoke map at: https://fire.airnow.gov/.
Individuals most likely to suffer adverse health effects from poor air quality include those with respiratory difficulties or heart or lung disease, the elderly, children, and pregnant women. Members of these groups may consider minimizing exposure to smoke by limiting outdoor exertion when air quality conditions are at or above unhealthy levels.
Reed announced the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is getting the formula funds under the Clean Air Act to gather data on regional , evaluate it, and share it with the public in a timely manner.
“Clean air is critical to public health and our quality of life. Air pollution has no boundaries or respect for borders and state lines. Rhode Island, New England, and other East Coast states are being impacted by this significant Canadian wildfire. Hopefully conditions will soon improve. Until then, this type of federal funding can help us be better informed and prepared and we must continue working to prevent pollution and improve air quality,” said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.
Previous air monitoring funding
In November, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) was awarded $500,000 in federal funding to conduct community air monitoring in Providence, Rhode Island. The federal funds were made available under the Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan Act to enhance community air monitoring efforts.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
This is a test
