Environment DEC
From the July 2004 issue
New York State Unveils New Air Quality Health Advisory
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., recently announced a new tool being used by state officials to inform the public of potential risks to health caused by exposure to ozone, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), or both. Air Quality Health Advisories will provide a more comprehensive gauge of risks facing communities during warmer weather months than ozone advisories alone did.
Commissioner Crotty said, "While we continue to work at reducing ozone and other pollutants in our communities, the new Air Quality Health Advisory will help provide increased notice for at-risk individuals to reduce exposure by taking the recommended preventive measures."
DEC and DOH will issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict that levels of pollution-ozone and/or fine particulate matter-are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value leading to a greater health concern.
Regional Notifications
Air Quality Health Advisories will be issued with an effective date and time for locations in one or more of the eight air quality regions shown below:
- Region 1 Long Island - Nassau and Suffolk
- Region 2 New York City Metro - New York City, Westchester, and Rockland
- Region 3 Lower Hudson - Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam, and Orange
- Region 4 Upper Hudson - Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Greene, Columbia, Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, Saratoga, and Washington
- Region 5 Adirondacks - St. Lawrence, Lewis, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Warren, Essex, Franklin, and Clinton
- Region 6 Eastern Lake Ontario - Monroe, Wayne, Oswego, Jefferson, and northern Cayuga
- Region 7 Central - Livingston, Ontario, Yates, Seneca, southern Cayuga, Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, southern Herkimer, Otsego, Delaware, Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Tioga, Tompkins, Schuyler, Chemung, and Steuben
- Region 8 Western - Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany
Ozone
Automobile emissions alone account for
about 60 percent of pollution in our cities
Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of smog that is primarily caused by automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources. Automobile emissions alone account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities. Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailing automobile travel and using public transportation where available. Ground-level ozone should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere.
People, especially young children, those who exercise outdoors, those involved in vigorous outdoor work and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma) 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 usually will reduce exposure. Individuals who experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor.
Fine Particulate Matter
One advantage of electric-gas
hybrid cars is lower emissions
Fine particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g., vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
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 also can worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.
If significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 exist (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking), levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high.
State residents also are encouraged to take the following energy-saving and pollution- reducing steps:
- Use mass transit or carpool instead of driving
- Combine essential motor vehicle trips to conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions
- Turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas
- Use fans to circulate air
- Set thermostates at 78 degrees if air conditioning is necessary
- Close blinds and shades to limit heat buildup and preserve cooled air
- Set thermostats at 68 degrees when home during cold weather, or at 55 degrees when not
- Limit use of household appliances (dishwashers, dryers, and water heaters, etc.)
- Run appliances at "off-peak" hours (after 7 PM)
- Set refrigerators, freezers and hot water heaters at more efficient temperatures
- Use energy-efficient lighting and appliances that have the Energy Star label
- Reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking
A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) has been established by DEC to keep New York State residents informed of the latest information on air quality.
