Due to the current effects of numerous active wildfires in Quebec, Canada the Broome Bands Together concert scheduled for this evening at Otsiningo Park is postponed. Additionally, waterfronts at all Broome County Parks are closed until further notice; all parks are otherwise open.
The following advisory with additional information regarding air quality is from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation:
“In Effect for Tuesday, June 6, 2023
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the Long Island, New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Central New York regions for Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
The pollutant of concern is: Fine Particulate Matter
The advisory will be in effect from 12:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.
DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern.
Fine Particulate Matter
Fine particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g. vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
Exposure can cause short-term health effects such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.
When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking) levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high.”
For more information about the Air Quality Index of your region: https://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/aqi/aqi_forecast.cfm
For more information about exposure to smoke from fires: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/air/smoke_from_fire.htm
