An air quality health advisory is in effect Saturday for Long Island and the NYC metro region.
The pollutant of concern is ground-level ozone, the State Department of Environmental Conservation said in a press release Friday afternoon.
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, the DEC said.
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). Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor, the DEC said.
It will be warm and humid today, with temperatures in the low- to mid-80, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
The UV index for Long Island today is 9 — “very high” — according to the U.S. EPA, which says protection against sun damage is needed. “If you need to be outside during midday hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., take steps to reduce sun exposure. A shirt, hat and sunscreen are a must, and be sure you seek shade,” the EPA advises.
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