NYC Metro Area Under Air Quality Alert

Elevated Ozone Levels Prompt Health Concerns

Millions of residents in and around New York City are under an air quality alert today due to high levels of ground-level ozone. Individuals are encouraged to limit outdoor activities to minimize potential health risks.

Affected Areas

The National Weather Service has issued the alert, which remains in effect until 11 p.m. tonight, for several counties including Manhattan, the Bronx, Kings, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester, and Rockland.

Health Risks and Recommendations

The alert advises residents to limit strenuous outdoor activities. Air quality is predicted to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100 for ground-level ozone. Higher AQI values correlate with greater health concerns.

Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, or heart disease are particularly vulnerable and should stay indoors. According to the EPA, ground-level ozone can cause coughing, throat irritation, and reduced lung function, especially in sensitive populations.

Weather Impact

The air quality warning follows anticipated humidity and thunderstorms in the New York area, influenced by remnants of Tropical Storm **Chantal**. While rain is expected for much of the week, today features a high of 90 degrees with mostly sunny skies.

Understanding the Air Quality Index

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is designed to easily communicate pollution levels. As the alert states, “Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for the pollutant of Ground Level Ozone. The Air Quality Index, or AQI, was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern.”

As of noon today, the AQI for New York City is at 115, considered unhealthy for sensitive groups (AirNow.gov).