The Air Quality Index for Port of Spain is at the highest level, “Hazardous”, as of 8am today.
According to the EMA’s Monitoring Station located at Beetham, the index is at 422, which falls with the “Hazardous” levels of 300 to 500.
It rose from moderate around 7am.
The index says there can be serious aggravation of respiratory symptoms in sensitive groups including older adults, children, and people with respiratory ailments and allergies; serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in people with heart or lung disease; and serious risk of respiratory effects in the general population.
It urges everyone to avoid all physical activity outdoors while people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and people with respiratory ailments and allergies should remain indoors and keep activity levels low.
Readings from the other stations at Arima, Mayaro, Scarborough, Toco, Point Lisas and San Fernando are at “moderate”.