New EPA air quality rules expected to trigger more alerts

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – You may see more air quality alerts this year, but not necessarily because the air is getting worse.

The EPA earlier this year strengthened its national ambient air quality standards. Air quality values that were previously designated as “good” will now be yellow, or “moderate.”

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation officials say they are keeping track of data to issue health advisories and improve air quality. “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,” said the DEC’s Abby Komarc.

The changes came after last year’s historic wildfire season, when smoke from fires in Canada and the western U.S. shrouded the Northeast.