Air Quality Health Advisory: Heavy Smog Will Linger in NYC Through Memorial Day

UPDATE, Wednesday, 5 p.m.: Another air-quality health advisory has been issued for Thursday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., during which time ozone levels in NYC are expected to rise even higher than they did Wednesday. And unfortunately, these conditions are expected to stay the same through an already muggy Memorial Day weekend, according to state health officials. Gross, right? Let's all go hide in the ocean.

Original story below.

NEW YORK CITY, NY — You know it's almost summer in NYC when the air-quality health advisories start rolling in.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) just issued the year's first such advisory for Wednesday, May 25, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

In other words: During what is otherwise expected to be a gorgeous, sunny, 85-degree Hump Day, higher-than-usual ozone levels — aka, smog levels — are expected to muck up the NYC metro area.

The most familiar form of ozone is the ozone that forms a layer way up in the Earth’s atmosphere, protecting us from ultraviolet rays. But when ozone forms at ground level, it’s considered a major air pollutant — and a health hazard, if levels exceed an Air Quality Index of 100. (As is forecasted Wednesday.)

"In the Earth's lower atmosphere, near ground level, ozone is formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight," according to the DEC. "Ozone at ground level is a harmful air pollutant."

So, in anticipation of all this ground-level ozone expected to invade NYC from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, the DEC recommends that:

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.

For more information, New Yorkers can call the toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) or check the ozone fact sheet on the DOH website.