DEC Issues Air Quality Health Advisory For Today, Monday July 14th

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for today, Monday July 14th for the Central New York, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Western New York Regions. The health advisory is due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada. The advisory will remain in effect until midnight tonight.

Both the DEC and the Department of Health say levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index value of 100. For the Central New York Region, the index value is expected to reach 101 fine particles, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

“Exposure can cause short-term health effects, such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.” The DEC warns.

The DEC provides an up-to-date map of current air quality conditions as well as a forecast for future days. You can find this information HERE.