Air quality advisory issued in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk counties

An air quality advisory has been issued for three Massachusetts counties at present as hot hazy air moves into the region The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued the alert for Essex Norfolk and Suffolk counties from a m to midnight with an emphasis on the afternoon and evening hours According to the alert ozone levels could enter the low unhealthy for sensitive groups range Sensitive groups include people with lung or heart malady older individuals and children DEP is also warning that fine particulate levels could potentially hit the moderate range as a impact of the Canadian wildfires MassDEP advises people in sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion take more breaks do less intense programs follow asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy Watch for characteristics such as coughing or shortness of breath the agency stated in its alert