New York, NY – Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for New York State

New York, NY – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and State Department of Health, have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the Western New York, New York City Metro, and Long Island regions of New York State for July 9, 2007. The pollutants of concern are: Ozone and Fine Particulate Matter in New York City Metro and Long Island; and Ozone in Western New York.

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone — a major component of smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary causes of ground-level ozone and are the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere.

People, especially young children, those who exercise outdoors, those involved in vigorous outdoor work and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma) should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce your exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor.

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available. [DEC press release]