Air pollution warnings were active
Environmental health advisories were issued
Smog alerts were being monitored
Weather-related air quality notifications were in place
Public health notices regarding air conditions were active
On Tuesday, millions of people living in New York, Connecticut, and southern California were advised by weather experts and medical authorities to refrain from using candles, incense, and additional sources of indoor pollution.
The alerts, released by the National Weather Service (NWS) together with local organizations, emphasized increased dangers associated with surface-level ozone contamination.
Why It Matters
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that coming into contact with ozone can lead to irritation of the breathing passages, result in inflamed airways, and worsen pre-existing health issues such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Groups that are more susceptible—including elderly people, young children, and those suffering from respiratory conditions—face higher risks.
What To Know
Alert zones covered Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York, as well as large parts of southern Connecticut such as New Haven, Fairfield, New London, and Middlesex Counties.
Alerts included areas such as inland Orange County, the Santa Ana Mountains, the Inland Empire, the San Bernardino Mountains, mountain regions of Riverside County, and the Coachella Valley. They also extended to downtown Los Angeles.
Individuals were encouraged to refrain from indoor actions that generate smoke or additional airborne contaminants, including lighting candles, burning incense, cooking outdoors, or operating gasoline-driven garden equipment.
Alternatively, official warnings suggested maintaining operation of air conditioning units or filters and limiting time spent outside or using vehicles to assist in lowering total pollutant concentrations.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham
told
previously:
Ozone is considered a secondary contaminant, which means it isn’t released into the atmosphere directly from sources, but instead forms via chemical processes. These processes depend on sunshine and increased heat, leading to greater chances of ozone development during hotter seasons. If the air remains still, contaminants aren’t spread out, enabling ozone concentrations to rise to harmful amounts.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) in California stated in a message posted on X on Monday:
OZONE ALERT (Monday, July 7 to Thursday, July 10): higher than usual air pollution levels are anticipated due to continued hot weather throughout the week.
Jonathan Grigg, a professor specializing in pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary University of London, has previously stated
there are “clear connections” between breathing in particles and premature death caused by both lung and heart-related illnesses.
He said, “Certain populations are at higher risk, traditionally children since their lung development presents additional challenges, unlike in adults whose lungs have finished growing.”
What Happens Next
As of now, air quality warnings for New York and Connecticut remained active until 11 p.m. EDT on Tuesday.
In the meantime, the California warnings remained active until 8 p.m. local time on Thursday.
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