Air quality health advisory issued for Wednesday

An air quality health advisory will be in effect again on Wednesday for the Long Island region, where air will be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The pollutant of concern is ground-level ozone. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources of ground-level ozone and the most serious air pollution problems in the Northeast, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

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 is not as visible as PM2.5 because it is a colorless gas, but will produce hazy skies and reduce visibility in high concentrations.

The air quality index Wednesday is expected to reach 105 in the Long Island Region. The advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m. through 11 p.m.

People, especially those with cardiovascular disease and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma), young children, the elderly, those who exercise outdoors, and those involved in vigorous outdoor work 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 exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing should consider consulting their personal physician.

A heat advisory is also in effect Wednesday, when the forecast high temperature is 92ºF and the heat index value is expected to reach 103ºF. The heat advisory will be in effect through 8 p.m.

The Town of Riverhead will open the senior center at 60 Shade Tree Lane as a cooling center again Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.