CITYWIDE – THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for ozone on Friday. The advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. in New York City and Long Island.
Air Quality Health Advisories are issued when pollution is expected to exceed an Air Quality Index value of 100, with a higher AQI indicating a greater health concern. Friday’s is predicted to be 101 for ozone. To see the daily AQI forecast for New York state, visit the DEC’s website or call the Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345.
Ground-level ozone, a main component of smog and distinct from the protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, frequently forms in the summer heat, when sunlight chemically reacts with vehicle exhaust and other emissions. People, especially those with health conditions, children and the elderly, should limit outdoor activity and consult a doctor if experiencing difficulty breathing or chest pains.
Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized by cutting car trips, the DEC has said. In New York, vehicle exhaust is the main source of ozone, along with out-of-state emissions.
To help fight ozone, New Yorkers should also use fans and keep ACs low, close blinds and shades, limit the use of lights and appliances or use them at night, set refrigerators to efficient temperatures, and cut down on smoking and outdoor burning.
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