June 1, 1999

Ozone Alert

The Westchester County Department of Health today announced that an Ozone Health Advisory has been issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for Tuesday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 2, 1999.

The Ozone Health Advisory affects the Lower Hudson Valley and New York Metroplitan area including the counties of Westchester, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Rockland, Putnam, Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Nassua, Sulfolk and Richmond.

During a Ozone Health Advisory, the Westchester County Department of Health recommends that residents limit strenuous outdoor physical activity, such as jogging, ball-playing and running, during the afternoon and early evening hours when ozone levels are highest. People with existing respiratory ailments may be especially sensitive to the effects of ozone and should limit all outdoor exercise and physical exertion when ozone levels are elevated. Young children and elderly persons are also susceptible. It is helpful to remain in an air-conditioned location.

Ozone irritates the respiratory system and may cause decreased lung function. Air pollution containing ozone is commonly known as smog and is created in the presence of sunlight by reactions of chemicals found in gasoline vapors and emissions from cars and industrial smoke stacks.