The New York State departments of Environmental Conservation and of Health have issued air quality alerts for the rest of the day today, and officials said in a news conference this afternoon that they likely will also continue the air quality alert into tomorrow. The hazy air quality that we are having now is a result of the Canadian wildfires, which produce particulate matter, but air quality monitors are seeing elevated levels of ozone in some locations in the state, such as New York City and Long Island.
“Later today, we will be evaluating whether or not it is necessary to issue an advisory tomorrow,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “However, we do expect this to be an extended event, and an extended air advisory is likely for some of those regions, and we'll be evaluating that at around three o'clock.”
Currently the Air Quality Index for the Saratoga Springs area is in the low 100s, a number that suggests the air is unhealthy for “sensitive groups,” meaning the very young, elderly people and people with compromised immune systems or lung issues.
Lefton and Health Commissioner Jim McDonald are asking people to check the website, airnow.gov, before being active outside.
This is particularly the case with workers outdoors, such as construction crews.
“Workers with asthma, lung disease or heart disease can have a harder time with this, and that's where the workforce supervisor needs to decide, can these workers work today and figure that out there,” McDonald said. “But I think it's really important to use the day they have in front of you make the best decisions possible to protect the workers health and well being.”
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said people should be checking the airnow.gov website often. She noted that spikes in poor air quality can occur, and people should regularly check the DEC and DOH websites and the EPA’s airnow.gov website, “so you can understand the real-time conditions for air quality in your regions to take appropriate precautions as we continue to see increased air quality concerns from wildfire smoke in Canada.”
Exposure to particulate matter 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, the DEC’s website says.
For people outdoors, pay attention, McDonald said. If you feel affects of the poor air quality, head inside to an air conditioned space if possible.
“The first thing you'll notice is coughing,” if you are affected by the air quality, McDonald said. “Just say you're out hiking, and you're coughing and you're worried it's from the air quality, that'd be a good time to maybe turn around and return to where you started your hike from. I think it's really important to remember that if your body speaks to you, it's really important to listen to it.”