Long Island on alert for unhealthy air quality

Long Island's air quality index Friday could exceed the acceptable level of 100 and put people with certain medical conditions at risk, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The department issued an Air Quality Health Advisory to counties including Nassau and Suffolk from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday.

People most at risk include adults over 65 or children younger than 14; pregnant people; outdoor workers; and those with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or respiratory issues such as asthma.

The DEC recommended that vulnerable people “reduce strenuous outdoor activities. Take extra breaks when outdoors. Monitor for symptoms related to air quality, such as coughing or shortness of breath.”

They should also follow management plans for certain health conditions, “If you have asthma or a chronic lung condition," the DEC said in a news release, "keep your quick-relief medicine on-hand.”

People with pre-existing health issues should also monitor for air quality symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.

After an enjoyable few days of moderate temperatures in the 70s with low humidity and sometimes cloudless blue skies, temperatures are forecast to spike on Friday and Saturday, with highs reaching 90 degrees or more in parts of Suffolk and Nassau, the National Weather Service said.

Bad air quality is more common in warmer weather. Pollutants from cars, power plants, trucks, and fires also play a significant role in this spike of air quality, according to the NYSDEC.