Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for New York City

by CrownHeights.info

In the summer of weather warnings and advisories, another one has been announced for Tuesday, July 27th over fine particles affecting the air quality in New York City.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and State Department of Health, wildfires in the US and Canada have sent fine particles into the air, causing pollution to float to New York City.

“New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the area of New York City Metro for Tuesday, July 27, 2021,” the advisory states.

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, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.

The advisory will be in effect through 11:00 p.m.