The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an ozone health advisory for Long Island and the downstate region.
The air quality alert is in effect Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken advises that all residents, especially young children, seniors, those who exercise or are involved in strenuous outdoor work, and those with pre-existing respiratory or heart problems, limit strenuous outdoor activity.
Ozone levels are often elevated after noon through early evening on hot, sunny days.
Information about ozone and health is available here on the New York State Department of Health website.
Coincidentally, this is Air Quality Awareness Week, at the National Weather Service , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the U.S. Department of State.
The goal is to promote events that increase air quality awareness and inspire people to take steps, no matter how large or small, to reduce their contribution to air pollution.