Trenton, N.J. – New Jersey residents from Ocean County to Mercer and Monmouth should brace for elevated air pollution Friday, with Code Orange air quality alerts issued across the central and southern parts of the state. Unhealthy conditions are expected for sensitive groups—especially children, seniors, and those with heart or lung conditions—through late Friday night.
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, air pollution levels may spike due to ground-level ozone, particularly in Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington counties. The Code Orange alert means outdoor air could become unhealthy for at-risk groups as early as sunrise, lasting until midnight.
Communities in Toms River, Freehold, New Brunswick, Trenton, and Cherry Hill are among those advised to minimize time outdoors and avoid strenuous exercise. School activities, outdoor camps, and sports events may be impacted. Health officials recommend staying indoors when possible, using air conditioning, and checking on elderly neighbors or those with respiratory issues. If you must travel, consider carpooling or public transit to help lower ozone formation.
This is the third Code Orange alert for the region this July, following a string of hot, stagnant days that limit pollution dispersal. For more details, visit NJDEP’s air quality website.
Air quality advisories remain in effect through midnight Friday. Further updates may be issued if conditions worsen.
