Key takeaways
Affected Areas: Air quality warnings issued for New York City, Westchester & Rockland Counties, Baltimore metro area, Anne Arundel County, Northeast Maryland, and Southern California’s Coachella Valley & San Gorgonio Pass.
Health Risks: High levels of ozone and particle pollution can cause lung irritation, asthma flare-ups, heart risks, and eye/throat discomfort. Vulnerable groups include children, older adults, and people with respiratory or heart conditions.
Precautions: Residents are advised to stay indoors, limit outdoor activities during peak hours, use air purifiers or AC, and reduce pollution by carpooling or avoiding gas-powered equipment.
In the northeast, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality health advisory covering:
New York City (all five boroughs: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island)
Westchester County
Rockland County
The alert is in effect from mid-Monday morning until Monday night, with ozone levels expected to push the Air Quality Index (AQI) above 100.