The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is warning residents of south coastal New England about poor air quality expected for Thursday.

A news release from the EPA sent out on Wednesday states that, "New England state air quality forecasters are predicting air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups, due to ground-level ozone."

Areas affected include coastal Connecticut as well as southeastern Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island. The EPA suggested limiting "strenuous outdoor activity" on Thursday.

"Ground-level ozone forms when volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen (ozone precursors) interact in the presence of strong sunshine," the agency said. "Large combustion sources, cars, trucks, and buses emit the majority of the pollution that creates ozone. Emissions from gasoline stations, print shops, household products like paints and some cleaners, as well as lawn and garden equipment also add to the ozone problem."

People are encouraged to use public transportation, carpool, use less electricity and avoid using small gasoline-powered engines such as lawn mowers, for example.