Air quality health advisory in effect Wednesday

An air quality health advisory is in effect for the Long Island and New York City Metro regions tomorrow due to ozone pollution, state environment and health officials announced this afternoon.

The advisory will be in effect 11 a.m. through 11 p.m.

The Air Quality Index tomorrow on Long Island is forecast to be 115, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children and teens, older adults and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest — generally afternoon to early evening, health officials said. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor.

A health advisory is issued when New York State Department of Environmental Conservation meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index value of 100.

Ozone is not a direct emission, and is produced indirectly when sunlight chemically reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from automobile exhaust and industrial emissions. High ozone isn’t as visible as PM2.5 because it’s a colorless gas, but it will produce hazy skies and reduce visibility in high concentrations.

Ground-level ozone is 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. Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone.

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.

To check current and forecast Air Quality Index values, visit the AirNow website.