The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality health advisory for most of upstate New York due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter in the air. The advisory is in effect until midnight Monday, July 14.
Areas under alert include the Finger Lakes, Central New York, the North Country, Western New York, and the Southern Tier — covering cities such as Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, Binghamton, Utica, and Watertown, among others.
Air quality levels are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 100, which may pose health risks, especially for sensitive groups including young children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions.
Health officials recommend:
How to track the air quality in your neighborhood
You can track air quality in New York through the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Air Quality Index by visiting dec.ny.gov. Air quality across the country can also be tracked through fire.airnow.gov.
Where to get more information
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Air quality alert for upstate NY
Reporting by New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
