Reports Stack News and Updates
The air quality in New York City has plummeted to alarming levels this week due to the southward drift of smoke originating from raging wildfires in Canada. According to AirNow, the U.S. government’s online platform, the air quality index across all five boroughs exceeded 150 on Tuesday. These levels are deemed detrimental to the well-being of all individuals and significantly surpass the exposure recommendations provided by the World Health Organization.
On Tuesday morning, New York City was shrouded in an orange glow, with the sun largely concealed behind a thick smoky haze. Authorities issued warnings urging residents to minimize their time outdoors, emphasizing the heightened vulnerability of individuals with respiratory illnesses or heart conditions to the hazardous air quality conditions.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality health advisory on Tuesday specifically for New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond counties, and the surrounding suburban areas.
This week, millions of individuals in the Midwest are grappling with perilous air quality conditions. Air quality advisories are currently in effect in southeastern Minnesota, parts of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and various areas in Wisconsin. Additionally, air quality alerts have been issued across the majority of New England.
Officials announced on Monday that Canada is bracing for its most severe wildfire season on record, with projections indicating that the blazes are likely to persist until August. Presently, there are 413 active wildfires spanning nearly all provinces and territories of Canada, compelling approximately 26,000 individuals to evacuate their homes under evacuation orders. Recent reports from federal authorities reveal that the wildfires have already consumed over 6.7 million acres of land.
Wildfires emit a substantial quantity of pollutants into the atmosphere. The resulting smoke contains fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, which can infiltrate the lungs and lead to various health problems, including asthma and bronchitis.
The frequency and severity of wildfires in Canada are on the rise due to the effects of climate change. Increasing temperatures and extended periods of drought have heightened the susceptibility of the region to wildfires, leading to longer wildfire seasons. Additionally, air pollution stemming from wildfire smoke has become increasingly concerning in the United States. Recent research conducted by Stanford University indicates that millions of Americans are now regularly exposed to pollution from wildfire smoke at levels that were seldom observed just ten years ago.
A report released earlier this year by the American Lung Association reveals that cities in the western United States, where climate change has exacerbated heat waves, droughts, and wildfires, are among the most heavily polluted areas in terms of PM2.5 pollution. These cities have experienced a significant increase in particulate matter pollution, posing serious health risks to their residents.
