{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.5acb3c56d127f02e1cad6cb9d9780059ec339ceb.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued May 18 at 3:10PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-05-18","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.5acb3c56d127f02e1cad6cb9d9780059ec339ceb.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Caribou ME"},"word_count":281,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued May 18 at 3:10PM EDT by NWS Caribou ME\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Coastal Hancock; Coastal Washington\n**Issued by:** NWS Caribou ME\n**Sent:** 2026-05-18T15:10:00-04:00\n**Effective:** 2026-05-18T15:10:00-04:00\n**Expires:** 2026-05-19T22:00:00-04:00\n\n## Description\nThe Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Air\nQuality has issued an Air Quality Alert for ozone from 10 AM to\n10 PM EDT Tuesday.\n\nOzone levels are expected to rise into the Unhealthy for Sensitive\nGroups range on Tuesday. The rest of the state except the Northern\nregion are expected to reach the Moderate range. In addition,\nparticle pollution levels are expected to be Moderate for most of the\nstate except for the Northern region. It is important to remember\nthat even in areas with Moderate levels of ozone and particle\npollution the health impacts will be compounded by the effects of\nheat and humidity.\n\nThe Maine Department of Environmental Protection recommends that\nindividuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to\nreduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be\nespecially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants\ninclude the very young, older adults, those who work outdoors, those\nwith pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma, and those\nwith heart disease. It is okay to be active outdoors. But if you\nexperience symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, throat\nirritation or an uncomfortable sensation in your chest, please\nconsider limiting the intensity and duration of your outdoor\nactivities.\n\nA toll free air quality hotline has been established so Maine\nresidents can stay informed on the air quality situations. The toll\nfree number is: 1-800-223-1196.\n\nAdditionally the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has\nthe air quality forecast available on the web at\nwww.maine.gov/dep/air/aqforecast."}