An air quality health advisory is in effect for NYC and the surrounding area on Tuesday. Here’s what it means for you.

NEW YORK – New York City and much of the surrounding area are under an air quality health advisory on Tuesday.

The reason for this is ground-level ozone.

The warning is valid until Tuesday 11:00 p.m.

The warning was issued because the air quality index (AQI) was expected to exceed 100 on Tuesday afternoon. As of 8:20 p.m., the AQI had reached 133, which falls into the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category. Earlier in the day, the AQI was 151, the lowest reading in the “unhealthy” category.

Children and adults who are active outdoors should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion, officials said. The same goes for people with respiratory problems such as asthma or lung disease. People who belong to these sensitive groups are encouraged to make their outdoor activities shorter and less intense and to take more breaks.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has also declared an air quality action day.

About ground-level ozone

“Ground-level ozone is the primary component of smog,” according to the New York State Department of Health. Vehicles, power plants, gas plants and more all contribute to ozone pollution. Stagnant air and high humidity also contribute by trapping pollutants and fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which react when exposed to sunlight.

Normally the ozone level drops at night.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the following measures can help reduce pollution:

• Use public transport or carpool instead of driving – car exhaust accounts for about 60 percent of air pollution in our cities.
• Save fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary car journeys
• Turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas
• Use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats to 78 degrees
• Close blinds and shutters to limit heat buildup and maintain cool air.
• Limit the use of household appliances. Run appliances during off-peak hours (after 7 p.m.) when needed. This includes dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters.
• Set refrigerators and freezers to more efficient temperatures
• Buy and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label
• Reduce or avoid outdoor burning and try to minimize indoor sources of PM2.5 such as smoking.

You can always get the latest weather warnings and advisories from the First Alert Weather Team.