Highlighting changes coming to air quality standards this year
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- This week is Air Quality Awareness Week. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is highlighting changes to air quality standards this year.
Stronger federal regulations mean some air quality conditions that used to be categorized as "good" will now be considered "moderate." That data helps meteorologists decide when to issue air quality alerts.
"We're constantly implementing different strategies and looking at different research projects and monitoring initiatives to help determine who is most at risk, who's being exposed, and what we can do to help alleviate those impacts," NYS DEC Meteorologist Abby Komarc said.
Air quality became a major point of emphasis last summer when smoke from wildfires in Canada led to hazy skies and poor air quality in the Capital Region and other areas of New York. Officials said it helped create more awareness, and they hope to build off of it this year.