Central New Yorkers may frequently notice eerie looking skies due to Canadian wildfires drifting our way. They also deliver a suitcase of atmospheric baggage, impacting our air quality and leading to health concerns.
Despite these alerts, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says air quality has improved since the 1970s. The DEC’s Air Resources Director says ozone warnings, like the one triggered earlier this week when temperatures soared well into the 90’s, are down since 1970.
She attributes the air quality improvements to Clean Air Act amendments made in the 1990s. They were passed under President George H. W. Bush, for helping reduce ozone levels over time.
