An air quality alert was reported by the National Weather Service on Friday at 2:40 p.m. in effect until Saturday at 2:45 p.m. for St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton and Essex counties."The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Albany NY has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory fo r fine particulate for Eastern Clinton, Eastern Essex, Northern Franklin, Northern St. Lawrence, Southeastern St. Lawrence, Southern Franklin, Southwestern St. Lawrence, Western Clinton, and Western Essex counties in New York from midnight tonight to midnight Saturday night. Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an air quality index value of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category for fine particulate. The air quality index, or AQI, was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern. When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician," adds the weather service. ...read more read less