Statewide Air Quality Alert Issued For Wednesday: UPDATE

UPDATE for Wednesday, May 2: The state Department of Environmental Conservation Department of Health issued a statewide Air Quality Health Advisory for Wednesday, May 2. The pollutant of concern is ozone, and the advisory will be in effect through 11 p.m.

An air quality alert had already been issued for much of the Hudson Valley.

The National Weather Service has also issued a special weather statement that said there is an enhanced risk of fire spread Wednesday afternoon for Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.

Wind gusts through early evening will increase to around 20 to 30 mph as relative humidities fall to around 30 percent. This will continue to dry the fine fuels over southeast New York and southern Connecticut, resulting in an enhanced risk for fire spread today across these areas.

The DEC and DOH issue air quality health advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern.

OZONE

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources 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.

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps:

• use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;
• conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
• use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
• close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
• limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
• set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
• purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
• reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking.

ORIGINAL STORY: It may seem early, but the Hudson Valley is already facing an air quality alert, because the outdoor air Wednesday, May 2 is predicted to be greater than an air quality index value of 100 for ozone. The National Weather Service issued the alert for Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester counties.

The alert is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday.

The air quality index, or AQI, was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale.

The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern. The AQI for Wednesday is predicted to be 101.

SEE ALSO: Ds, Fs for Counties' Air: New American Lung Association Report

When pollution levels are elevated, the state Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.

People who may be especially sensitive to the effect of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.

Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.

For additional information, visit the state Department of Environmental Conservation website, or call the Air Quality Hotline 800-535-1345.

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