The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and State Department of Health has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the New York City Metro and Long Island regions for Wednesday, July 12.
The advisory will go into effect from 11:00am-11:00pm for the counties of New York City, Rockland, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk.
According to DEC and DOH, the health advisory is being issued due to increased levels of ozone pollutants, which DEC meteorologists predict to exceed an Air Quality Index value of 100.
AQI levels between 101-150 are classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (people with respiratory issues, children, older adults, etc.), and levels over 151 are considered “unhealthy” for all individuals.
DEC and DOH say that ozone is a pollutant that is caused by summer heat, and has numerous sources such as automobile exhaust and industrial emissions.
According to a release, ozone is a colorless gas that produces hazy skies and decreases visibility in high concentrations.
The state departments recommend that sensitive groups, people that exercise outdoors, as well as New Yorkers that are involved in vigorous outdoor work to limit strenuous outdoor physical activity while ozone is at peak levels (normally from the afternoon to early evening). Additionally, DEC and DOH suggest heading indoors to reduce exposure.
Amidst the advisory, DEC and DOH have also offered the following tips for reducing pollution and saving energy: Using mass transit or carpooling instead of driving; combining necessary motor vehicle trips; turning off all lights and appliances in unoccupied rooms; limiting use of appliances; installing energy efficient lighting and appliances; using fans instead of air conditioning if possible; closing blinds and shades; reducing or eliminating outdoor burning; and minimizing indoor sources of PM 2.5 (such as smoking).
For more information on ozone pollutants, head over to the DOH website.
