Air Quality Advisory Issued for Tri-State Region as Wildfire Smoke from Canada Impacts New York
NEW YORK (WABC) — The Tri-State region is bracing for a decline in air quality due to the smoke from wildfires raging in Canada. Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration has issued an air quality health advisory for Wednesday, warning residents in the Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York, and Western New York regions to take precautions. With over 300 wildfires still burning in Canada, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident in real time.
According to the air quality index, the city of New York is entering the moderate range, with the air quality expected to be impacted starting Wednesday. The situation is anticipated to worsen in the coming days, with the air quality in the city degrading even further through Thursday. However, meteorologist Sam Champion suggests that the air quality in the Tri-State area may not be as severe as initially feared, with the majority of the smoke expected to circulate around the northeast of the U.S. Some parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania may experience more significant effects.
On Thursday, as the system moves towards the ocean, the near-surface smoke is expected to reach western New York. This will likely cause a further degradation of air quality, potentially reaching levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Additionally, the northwest wind may contribute to the ongoing deterioration of air quality into later Thursday and early Friday.
The last time the air quality was impacted by wildfire smoke, Mount Sinai pulmonologist Dr. Barbara Mann received an influx of calls and visits. Dr. Mann advises monitoring the air quality index and recommends that individuals stay home as much as possible when the index exceeds 150. If outdoor activities are necessary, wearing a mask is recommended, especially in places like the subway where air quality tends to be worse than outdoors.
Governor Hochul is urging summer camps to limit outdoor activities for children and asking employers to minimize outdoor work for employees. She also advises providing masks for employees who need to work outside. Notably, the current situation is compounded by the hot and muggy weather conditions, which contribute to higher ozone layers and the presence of small particles from the wildfire smoke. Dr. Mann emphasizes the importance of taking extra precautions on such days.
To help residents protect themselves, the MTA plans to make N95 masks available at transit hubs like Grand Central and Penn Station within the next few days. These masks can help prevent the inhalation of harmful particles. Residents are encouraged to stay updated on the air quality situation through the ABC7 Air Quality Tracker.
As the effects of climate change continue to impact daily life, Governor Hochul emphasizes the urgency of addressing this global issue. She asserts that the current generation is both witnessing and experiencing the consequences of climate change and holds the responsibility of taking meaningful action.
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Original Story at abc7ny.com – 2023-06-28 10:35:31
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