Air Quality Alert Issued For Syosset Due To Ozone

SYOSSET, NY—Syosset was included in an air quality alert that the National Weather Service issued on Thursday morning due to high levels of ozone in parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties. The alert is in effect until 11 p.m. Thursday.

When pollution levels are elevated, state health officials recommend residents consider limiting "strenuous outdoor physical activity," per the alert. That can reduce potential adverse health effects, especially in children and those with asthma, heart disease or breathing problems.

Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for Ground Level Ozone, a pollutant. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern.

Breathing in ground-level ozone can be harmful to your health, the the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention writes on its website. Ozone has been linked to coughing and pain when taking a deep breath, lung and throat irritation as well as wheezing and trouble breathing during exercise or outdoor activities.

Dangerous levels of ozone can impact anyone. To keep safe during periods of high levels of ozone, the CDC advises people to spend more time inside and choose easier outdoor activities (walking instead of running).