Air Quality Advisory In Effect, Ozone Pollution

It's hot, hot, hot out there today. It's 83 degrees today in Half Hollow Hills, but it feels like 86, according to forecasters. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is warning that this afternoon's heat and pollution could affect your health.

The DEC issued an air quality health advisory for Long Island today from 1-10 p.m.

The summer heat can lead to the formation of ground level Ozone, a major component of smog. The surface pollutant is mainly caused by car exhaust and emissions.

The DEC warns that 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 this afternoon when heat and ozane layers are elevated. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor.

     Here are few ways to avoid melting today:

• Carpool. Automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities.

• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas.

For further information on ozone is available on DEC’s web site at http://www.dec.ny.gov and http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/air/ozone.htm on the DOH website.