New York, N.Y. – Air quality across New York City and parts of the lower Hudson Valley is expected to deteriorate Wednesday as ground-level ozone concentrations rise to potentially harmful levels.
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, an Air Quality Health Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday for all five boroughs as well as Westchester, Rockland, Orange, and Putnam counties. Pollution levels are forecast to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 100, signaling a heightened health risk, particularly for those with respiratory conditions.
Health officials urge residents—especially children, seniors, and individuals with asthma or heart disease—to reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. Ground-level ozone, a pollutant formed on hot, sunny days when vehicle emissions and industrial pollutants react, can irritate lungs and exacerbate breathing issues.
Communities from Manhattan to Middletown may notice hazy skies and increased respiratory discomfort throughout the day. Schools, camps, and outdoor workers should take extra precautions.
To stay informed, residents can call the state’s air quality hotline at 1-800-535-1345. Additional advisories may follow if conditions persist.
