Air quality alert issued for today in Orleans County

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Ground Level Ozone today from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The alert includes Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and southern Erie counties.

Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 105 for Ground Level Ozone, the DEC said. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was created as a way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI Value, the greater the health concern.

When pollution levels are elevated, the state Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.

People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.

Today is forecast for a high of 93 degrees, followed by highs of 91 on Tuesday, 92 on Wednesday and 90 on Thursday.

A heat advisory also is in effect in Orleans and Western New York from noon Tuesday to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Heat index values as high as 100 degrees are expected.