Air Quality Action Days

Did you know that New Hampshire typically has several days each year when the air is unhealthy to breathe?

Hot weather may be good for all those summertime activities, but it could also bring poor outdoor air quality to New Hampshire. During a typical summer, New Hampshire experiences as many as nine days when the air is unhealthy due to high concentrations of ground-level ozone, commonly referred to as “smog,” and/or fine particle pollution. Ground-level ozone is known to be highest during the summer months, where as levels of fine particles can be high throughout the year.

An Air Quality Action Day is declared in regions of New Hampshire when ozone and/or fine particle pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. During an Air Quality Action Day, people are encouraged to take precautionary measures to protect their health.

In addition, people are encouraged to take actions to reduce air pollution. Things like conserving energy at home and at work, reducing vehicle idling, and keeping vehicles well tuned and maintained can help keep the air clean. To help reduce air pollution from motor vehicles, you can share a ride to work, bike, and walk or use public transportation. Information on ridesharing and other transportation opportunities can be found at www.nh.gov/dot/nhrideshare/ and information on local bus schedules can be obtained directly from the public transportation providers around the state.

Advance Transit - Hanover, Lebanon and Upper Valley (Thanks to an innovative partnership in the Upper Valley region, rides are free on all Advance Transit bus routes in Vermont and New Hampshire)
CART Transportation – Chester, Danville, Derry, Londonderry, Hampstead, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown, and Windham, 603-434-3569
COAST (Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation) - Seacoast Region
Community Transportation Services (CTS) - Claremont and Newport
Concord Area Transit (CAT) – Concord
City Express (HCS - Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services) - Keene
North Country Transportation (NCT) - Berlin, Gorham and Coos County
Manchester Transit Authority - Manchester
Nashua CityBus - Nashua
Wildcat Transit, UNH - Durham, Dover, Newmarket and Portsmouth
Winnipesaukee Transit System - 1-800-294-2496 or 603-528-2496 Serving the Lakes Region including Laconia, Franklin, Tilton, and Belmont