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What Is Ozone? How Is It Formed?
Ground-level ozone is a pollutant that is formed in a photochemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), both of which are emitted by cars and trucks, in the presence of sunlight (ultraviolet radiation). In addition, VOCs are emitted from paint solvents and other sources.
Is There a Difference Between Ground-Level Ozone and the Ozone Layer?
The ozone layer is beneficial to people, while ground-level ozone is harmful. The layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere is good for the environment because it protects the Earth from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Ground-level ozone at elevated levels is bad for the environment because it is a noxious pollutant that can be harmful to human health.
What Are the Health Effects of Ground-Level Ozone?
Even at lower levels, ozone may cause inflammation and irritation of the respiratory tract. Symptoms include breathing difficulties, coughing and eye and throat irritation. At higher levels, long-term exposure to ozone may damage lung tissue. It may take several days for complete recovery after exposure has ended.
Who Is Most Affected by the Ozone Problem?
While everyone can be affected negatively by ground-level ozone, the groups with the greatest sensitivity to air-quality problems are children, the elderly and people with asthma and other respiratory diseases.
What Is Particulate Matter?
Particulate matter is a mixture of microscopic solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Particulate matter is measured in microns and traditionally is classified into two size categories—PM2.5 and PM10. Some of the most severe health effects, depending on exposure levels, are associated with smaller particulate matter, known as fine particulate matter, or PM2.5.
Can You Explain the Different Terms Used to Describe Particulate Matter?
There are several terms that commonly are used in place of particulate matter. Particulate matter often is referred to as PM or particulate pollution. Additionally, as discussed above, particulate matter is classified into two size categories. Particulates of the smaller size category can be called fine particulates, fine particles, ambient fine particulate pollution or PM2.5. The larger particulate category most commonly is referred to as inhalable coarse particulates or PM10.
What Is the Air-Quality Index?
The AQI is a method devised by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for rating each day's air quality. The AQI numbers are associated with a color, a level of health concern and measures that people should take to avoid exposure to unhealthy air. It correlates levels of different pollutants to one scale; the higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern.
What Is an Air Quality Action Day?
An Air Quality Action Day is announced when air quality is predicted to be in the unhealthy range for sensitive groups in part or all of the New York metropolitan area. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for analyzing air pollution data and forecasts whether air quality will approach or exceed unhealthy levels. Based on these forecasts, the New York State Department of Transportation issues an Air Quality Action Day notification. While Air Quality Action Days are still days 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 on that day. Therefore, we encourage everyone to leave their cars at home if possible.
For more information about air pollution levels in the New York metro area, please visit our Local Air Quality page.
What Can I, as Just One Person, Do to Improve Air Quality?
It may seem like just one person's actions aren't enough to actually improve air quality. But individual actions can add up to big results, because if everyone makes a choice every day to do something to improve air quality, we'll see a change in the air we breathe.
So what exactly are some of these everyday choices you can make? Here are a few: Combine multiple errands into one trip; take mass or public transportation, carpool or vanpool to work a few times a week; or refuel your car in the evening during the summer rather than during the daylight hours.
How Bad Is Air Pollution in the New York City Metro Area?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said that the New York metro area is not meeting federal ambient air quality standards for ozone pollution nor for fine particulate matter.
How Can I Find Out More Information About New York's Air Quality?
First, explore our Web site because we aim to provide you with all the information you need about air quality in New York. But if you want more information, visit some of the links posted on our Links page. You also can visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Division of Air Resources Web site at http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/644.html.
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