Air Quality Resource Guide
Wildfire smoke from fires in Canada has been causing New Yorkers to experience poor air quality during the summer of 2023. Western states have been dealing with poor air quality from wildfires for years, but this is new for New Yorkers and there is a lot for us to learn to stay safe.
As these events are likely to become more frequent, we’ve put together the best government resources to help answer frequently asked questions. We are also continuing to advocate for the City to share clear and timely information when future poor air quality events occur.
What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)? What level is bad?
The New York State Department of Environmental protection explains: “The AQI is a scale used for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you. The AQI correlates levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern.”
The scale ranges from 0 to 500. An AQI above 100 is “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”At an AQI of 150 and higher, everyone may begin to experience health effects, members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. You can see the full scale and learn more about the index from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Where can I check the Air Quality Index (AQI)?
Air Now provides the current AQI level. Many phones also include air quality data in their weather applications.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation provides air quality forecasts.
Air quality is hard to predict and can vary significantly throughout the day. While wildfire smoke events are happening, please be aware that even if the air quality is within normal range in the morning, it can become unhealthy later in the day.
How can I get alerts about poor air quality?
You can sign up for Notify NYC Alerts or call 311. Notify NYC sends out alerts when the Air Quality Index is expected to be above 100 (“Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”) or higher.
You can also sign up for customized daily air quality reports with Enviro Flash.
What should I do to protect myself when there is poor air quality?
Poor air quality can have significant health impacts, especially for children, older adults, and people with preexisting conditions. You should limit the time you spend outside when air quality is unhealthy. It is important to stay hydrated and monitor children and older adults for any symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and watery eyes. The NYC Department of Health has also provided additional guidance for child care programs, schools, and camps.
Masks: High-quality (N95 or KN95 masks) can also reduce exposure to air pollution when worn correctly, but do not protect against all impacts. While cloth or surgical masks do provide protection from coronavirus, they provide negligible protection against wildfire pollutants.
The Department of Health has provided the following recommendations for outdoor activity based on the AQI level:
What can we do to help the air quality?
While poor air quality in the summer of 2023 has largely been caused by smoke from wildfires in Canada, there are steps we can all take to reduce our own emissions and help to improve air quality locally.
Some easy actions include choosing a cleaner commute by taking the subway or carpooling, complying with the City’s car idling law, and reducing your energy usage at home or work by lowering your AC and electricity usage. These are also all excellent choices we can make to play a role in tackling the climate crisis. Our office is working on legislation to mandate the City of New York to take aggressive policy actions to reduce emissions during hazardous air quality incidents.
What are the health impacts?
Exposure to wildfire smoke has been shown to lead to a variety of health effects. According to the EPA, the health effects of particle pollution exposure from wildfire smoke can range from relatively minor (e.g., eye and respiratory tract irritation) to more serious health effects (e.g., exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death). There are limited studies on the long term health effects of wildfire smoke exposure. You should consult with a medical professional about any concerns you have. Source.
What should I do to protect the air inside my apartment/home?
When air quality is poor, you should keep your windows closed. There are steps you can take to improve your indoor air quality, such as avoiding the following activities: using gas stoves, vacuuming, burning candles, smoking cigarettes, and spraying aerosol products. The EPA has more advice.
It is also important to learn how to properly adjust your air conditioning or HVAC system to keep smoke out of your home. Learn more!
Air purifiers or air cleaners can also be used to filter indoor air. The EPA has more information on factors to consider when deciding to purchase an air cleaner, and advice on how to make a DIY air cleaner.