An air quality alert has been issued for parts of the New York City metro area Wednesday, July 15 because of fine particulate matter from Canadian wildfires, according to the National Weather Service in Upton.
The alert will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. for Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester counties, as well as Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens.
What are forecasters saying about New York air quality?
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the advisory after forecasting Air Quality Index (AQI) values above 100 because of particulate matter in the air.
An AQI above 100 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley’s AQI at 61, indicating moderate air quality.
Ozone levels are in the “good” index for both locations, but fine particulate matter is expected to make AQI levels reach over 125 by the evening, according to AirNow.gov.
State health officials recommend limiting strenuous outdoor activity and wearing N95 masks to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact a health care provider.
What is an air quality alert?
An air quality alert is issued when pollution levels are expected to reach concentrations that may pose a health risk.
This advisory is for particulate matter, which is coming from wind patterns bringing smoke and other pollutants from over 830 wildfires burning in Ontario, Canada and parts of Minnesota to the Northeast and Midwest United States.
Skies are expected to be hazy in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions starting Wednesday, July 15. Poor air quality conditions could last until the end of the week, with patchy smoke in the forecast.
However, National Weather Service meteorologists say hazy and smoky conditions in New York City are not expected to be as intense as they were in 2023, when thousands of wildfires in Ontario and Quebec also affected air quality levels along the East Coast.
According to the National Weather Service, smoke particles can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and worsen heart and lung conditions. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with heart or respiratory illnesses are especially vulnerable.
How can you protect yourself from poor air quality
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends limiting time outdoors when the AQI exceeds 100, especially if you are part of a sensitive group.
Additional steps to reduce exposure include:
What the Air Quality Index means
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Air quality alert issued for NYC area as Canadian wildfire smoke moves in
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alexandra Rivera, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
