Air Quality Warnings Issued, Cooling Centers Open in Carroll County

by Bryan Sears and Kym Byrnes

Hot temperatures predicted for this week could also bring health problems to people who are sensitive to the air quality. Cooling centers in Carroll County will be open Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued air quality warnings for Tuesday and Wednesday for much of Maryland.

On Tuesday, the state predicts that ozone concentrations will stay in the upper moderate range, making the air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Continued hot weather predicted for Wednesday has caused the state to issue a Code Orange alert for Thursday. That alert means people more sensitive to such conditions, including children, seniors, asthmatics and those with heart or lung disease could be affected by air pollution on that day.

Because of the anticipated high temperatures and humidity, the Carroll County Department of Citizen Services will operate six cooling centers around the county Tuesday and Wednesday. Residents who are vulnerable to extreme heat and who do not have air-conditioning in their homes are encouraged to cool off in any of the following locations until the close of business. 

• Citizen Services Office Building, 10 Distillery Drive, Westminster, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Mount Airy Senior and Community Center, 703 Ridge Avenue, Mount Airy 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• North Carroll Senior and Community Center, 2328 Hanover Pike, Greenmount, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• South Carroll Senior and Community Center, 5928 Mineral Hill Road, Eldersburg, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Taneytown Senior and Community Center, 220 Roberts Mill Road, Taneytown, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Westminster Senior and Community Center, 125 Stoner Ave., Westminster, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
• All branches of the Carroll County Public Library System, 9 a.m. – 8:45 p.m.

• Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day
• Wear loose, lightweight, and light colored clothing 
• Eat fewer proteins and drink plenty of water
• Stay in air-conditioning.