Residents advised to reduce environmental health risks
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality health advisory for Thursday, June 8, 2023, for Long Island, and the Metropolitan New York City Region. The pollutant of concern is fine particulate matter also known as PM2.5.
Fine particles are able to travel deeply into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs. Exposure to fine particles can cause short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. Exposure to fine particles can also affect lung function and worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.
Fine particles come primarily from motor vehicle exhaust, the burning of fossil fuels, or forest fires. It may be carried by wind from wildfires or volcanic eruptions hundreds of miles away.
Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott advises that all residents, especially young children, seniors, those who exercise outdoors, and those with pre-existing respiratory or heart problems, limit strenuous outdoor activity. Ozone levels are often elevated after noon through early evening on hot, sunny days. If you experience eye, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, chest pain contact your medical provider.
Information about PM2.5 and health is available on the New York State Department of Health Website at:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/indoors/air/pmq_a.htm
For more information about air pollution and tips for reducing your risks from pollutants, visit “Fossil Fuels” on our Cancer Prevention and Health Promotion page.
Air Quality Forecasts are available on the Department of Environmental Conservation website at:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/aqi/aqi_forecast.cfm
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