NYS DOT Issues Air Quality Alert for Monday

The weather is hazy, hot and humid in and around Patchogue and across Long Island, and as a result the New York State Department of Transportation has declared today, Monday an Air Quality Action Day in the downstate metropolitan area.

The NYS DOT issued a release Monday morning that explained the warning to the public is “due to forecasted high levels of ground-level ozone pollution in parts of the region.”

The NYS DOT is encouraging people not to drive so as not to add to the pollution quotient.

“While today is still a day when people can go about most of their normal activities, such as going to work, driving may be one of the most polluting activities that people do today, and we encourage everyone to leave their cars at home if possible,” the release said.

The release also outlines steps to help prevent pollution:

• Combine errands into a single trip.
• Postpone unnecessary trips.
• Take the subway, bus or train instead of driving.
• Avoid letting vehicles idle, such as at the drive-thru.

According to the release, ground-level ozone is a respiratory irritant that can trigger asthma attacks and aggravate emphysema, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. In addition, it said, “children, people with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions, people doing strenuous outdoor work or exercise and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ozone.”

Residents can visit the NYS DOT’s Clean Air NY website for more information and to learn more about improving air quality.