NEW YORK – The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) for the New York City metropolitan region on Sunday.
The advisory is in effect from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. and covers New York City, Rockland County, and Westchester County.
State officials said light winds and substantial cloud cover are expected to cause fine particulate matter levels to exceed an Air Quality Index value of 100, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Fine particulate matter is produced by sources such as vehicle exhaust, power plants, fires, and atmospheric chemical reactions. Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, trigger coughing and shortness of breath, and worsen conditions including asthma and heart disease.
Children, older adults, and people with heart or respiratory conditions are urged to limit prolonged outdoor exertion and reduce exposure by staying indoors when possible.
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