Governor Kathy Hochul has provided an update on New York State’s air monitoring efforts as air quality concerns continue across several regions. The state has updated its Air Quality Health Advisory for ozone in the Long Island and New York City Metro areas. An advisory for fine particulate matter pollution remains in effect for the New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Central and Western New York regions due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. Weather forecasts indicate that additional spikes in smoke may occur tomorrow.
“New York continues to track air quality conditions across the state, and people in certain areas may notice visible smoke throughout the day,” Governor Hochul said. “As temperatures climb during the summer months and less predictable factors like distant wildfires occur, I strongly encourage New Yorkers to stay informed and prepare for changes in air quality and take appropriate precautions to stay safe and protect themselves and their families by paying attention to the State’s Air Quality Health Advisories.”
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issues daily air quality forecasts using data from over 50 monitoring sites statewide. Although New York enforces strict air quality regulations aimed at reducing pollution, events such as ozone formation or wildfire smoke can still affect local conditions.
Air Quality Health Advisories are released when DEC meteorologists predict pollutant levels—either ozone or PM2.5—will exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI is a standardized measure correlating pollutant concentrations with health risks; higher values indicate greater concern.
Residents are advised to check www.airnow.gov for up-to-date information on local air quality forecasts and current conditions. Additional resources about exposure to wildfire smoke are available through the Department of Health’s website.
The AQI system includes guidelines for health protection:
– 0-50: Good – Little or no risk.
– 51-100: Moderate – Acceptable; minor risk for sensitive individuals.
– 101-150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – Risks increase for those with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, children, teenagers, minority populations, and outdoor workers.
– 151-200: Unhealthy – All residents may experience health effects; sensitive groups could see more serious impacts.
– 201-300: Very Unhealthy – Health alert; more severe effects possible.
– 301-500: Hazardous – Emergency conditions affecting everyone.
Today’s advisories include PM2.5 warnings for multiple regions across the state as well as an updated ozone advisory covering Long Island and New York City Metro areas through 11:59 p.m. The AQI is expected to exceed 100—and possibly rise above 150 temporarily—in some locations. At these levels, sensitive groups face heightened risks; above 150, all residents should take precautions.
“To stay safe and healthy, New Yorkers must be Air Quality Aware this summer as we continue to see impacts from the Canadian wildfires and ozone formation,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “DEC continues to track air quality across the state and works with our partners at the Department of Health to keep the public informed about how to protect themselves and their families and reduce their exposure to air pollution. Stay up to date with DEC’s website or trusted sources like EPA’s AirNow app, which uses air quality data provided by DEC’s statewide monitoring network.”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald added: “Poor air quality can pose serious health risks — especially for those with heart conditions, lung diseases, such as asthma, young children, those over 65 years old and pregnant individuals. To reduce exposure, limit strenuous activity outdoors. We encourage all New Yorkers to visit airnow.gov for the latest air quality forecast and be on the lookout for Air Quality Health Advisories from the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health.”
