For Release: Wednesday, May 12, 2004

New York State Unveils New Air Quality Health Advisory

Public Notification Tool Expands Upon Ozone Advisory, Includes Fine Particulate Matter

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., today 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 be replacing ozone advisories as a more comprehensive gauge of risks facing communities during warmer weather months.

"Under the leadership of Governor George Pataki, New York State is making strides in improving air quality both within our State's borders and nationwide," 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."

"The State's Air Quality Health Advisories will help to improve the health of all New Yorkers. New Yorkers can plan their outdoor activities and reduce exposures by listening to the advisories," Commissioner Novello said. "For individuals with heart or respiratory disease who may be more susceptible to ozone or fine particulate matter, these advisories are especially important and can serve as reminders to help them protect their health."

DEC and DOH will issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone 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.

Air Quality Health Advisories will be issued with an effective date and time for locations in one or more of eight air quality regions. Regions include: 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; and Region 8 Western: Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany.

OZONE

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone -- a major component of smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary causes of ground-level ozone and are the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant 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 will usually reduce your exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor.

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available.

FINE PARTICULATE MATTER

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 can also 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.

When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce your exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (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.

New Yorkers also are encouraged to take the following energy-saving and pollution- reducing steps:

use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;
conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
during the heating season, set the thermostat at 68 degrees when you are home and at 55 degrees when you will be away;
limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at "off-peak" (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to 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 Yorkers informed of the latest Air Quality situation. Further information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's web site at http://www.dec.state.ny.us and http://www.health.state.ny.us/ on the DOH website.

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