New York, NY – New Yorkers across all five boroughs, as well as parts of Westchester and Rockland counties, should prepare for unhealthy air conditions on Wednesday due to an Air Quality Alert.
The alert will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with high levels of ground-level ozone expected, posing increased health risks for vulnerable groups such as children, seniors, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has forecasted that the Air Quality Index (AQI) will exceed 100 during this period, indicating an elevated risk for everyone, especially those with asthma, heart disease, or other chronic conditions.
Residents across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, and the surrounding Westchester and Rockland counties are urged to limit strenuous outdoor activities and pay attention to symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath.
Recommendations for Residents
Avoid outdoor strenuous activity: Health officials recommend reducing outdoor exercise and staying indoors during peak hours (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) to minimize exposure to unhealthy air.
Limit time outdoors: Public places like parks, playgrounds, and outdoor work sites may see fewer visitors due to these air quality concerns. If possible, keep windows closed to prevent pollutants from entering homes.
Schools and summer camps: Public schools and summer camps in the affected areas are advised to limit outdoor programs to protect children’s health.
Monitor symptoms: Residents should be aware of any breathing difficulties or health issues related to the air quality and consult a healthcare provider if necessary.
Ongoing Concerns
This Air Quality Alert is part of a series of summer ozone advisories in the New York metro region, highlighting ongoing concerns about urban air pollution. The levels of ozone are often higher during the warmer months, especially on hot and sunny days.
For live updates on air quality, residents can call the state’s air quality hotline at 1-800-535-1345.
The alert is currently set to last until 11 p.m. on Wednesday, but further advisories may be issued if air quality conditions continue into Thursday.
