by Adams said the air quality index hit 218 as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, “a very unhealthy level,” which “sent shockwaves throughout the county and region.”
Iscol said that at this time of year it is “very normal” to have an AQI of more than 100, but that it is concerning when the score exceeds the 150 threshold.
By Wednesday, Brooklyn had 413 and Queens was not far behind with 407, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said. at a press conference.
Hochul said he viewed the situation as “an environmental and health crisis” and urged New Yorkers to limit their time outdoors.
“The sun was orange when I woke up today,” Nancy Liang, who was wearing a mask as a precaution in Hoboken, said Wednesday. “I didn’t want to breathe the air like that.”
Adams urged New Yorkers to take precautions, saying the city advises all vulnerable people to stay home, limit time outdoors, close doors and windows and use air purifiers.
“If you are older or have heart or respiratory problems, you should stay inside or wear a mask,” he said.
While New York City students were in school Wednesday, all outside events were cancelled. Thursday was a regularly scheduled staff absence day.
According airnow.gov, the EPA website, the higher the AQI value, the higher the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. An AQI of 100 or less is considered satisfactory, but when it is above 100, the air quality is considered unhealthy.
Between 150 and 200, air quality is considered to have potential health effects on sensitive groups.
The National Weather Service said Wednesday that after Thursday winds could shift more to the east, pushing smoke west into the interior of the Northeast and the Ohio Valley on Friday.
Over the weekend, a stalled low pressure system near Maine is likely to continue to divert smoke from the Quebec wildfires into the northeastern US. the agency’s office in New York City said..
The three major airports serving the New York City region — LaGuardia, JFK and Newark — reported delays and other potential disruptions due to conditions Wednesday, including low visibility.
The New York State government announced a plan to distribute 1 million free N95 masks, including 400,000 to be given out on public transportation and at state locations in the New York City area.
New York City health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said Wednesday that there has so far been no increase in emergency room visits due to complications from the air quality event.
“That could change and we are monitoring it closely,” he said.
