Air Quality Alert issued for Capital Region

An air quality alert was issued for most of the capital region, including Saratoga County after Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) monitors picked up increased levels of Fine Particulate Matter (PM). 

The alert was issued on February 18 and at time of publication, it was set to expire at midnight. It covered much of the state — from the New York City Metro area up to the Capital Region. 

The air quality was listed at 139 by the EPA, making it unhealthy for sensitive groups. The main pollutant listed by both the EPA and DEC was fine particle matter, defined by DEC as any matter that is 2.5 microns or less. Monitors detected this level to be around 115 parts per million. 

Due to the reduced air quality, the DEC recommended those with health conditions, children and the elderly postpone outdoor activities while the alert was in effect. According to the DEC, increased levels of fine particle matter can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath.

It’s unclear what caused the increase in fine particle matter. Past air quality alerts in the area have come due to Canadian wildfires.