Ozone Advisory Again for Rockland, Westchester

Health officials have issued an air quality advisory for Aug. 18 for the New York Metro Area including Rockland and Westchester counties.

It’s the second day in a row that ground-level ozone has been thick enough to cause a potential problem for children, people with respiratory problems, or those who exercise or work strenuously outside.

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.

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 (after7 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.

Tuesday’s high temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s throughout most of the region, which is a little lower than Monday’s high. There is a 20 percent chance of isolated showers or thunderstorms between noon and 3 p.m., according to the NWS.

Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather says that the high temperature Tuesday could again break 90 degrees, and that Poughkeepsie’s high of 95 set a new record on Monday.

“The humidity will be up a bit higher on Tuesday, and a south wind will help provide a little bit extra instability to the atmosphere,” Potter writes, adding that the unsettled period could set the stage for the afternoon shower or thunderstorm.

A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) has been established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest Air Quality situation. Further information on ozone and PM 2.5 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.