On Tuesday, New York City claimed the unenviable title of having the world’s worst air pollution, thanks to the influx of harmful smoke originating from over a hundred wildfires blazing in Quebec, Canada. The smoke from the Canadian fires has intermittently enveloped the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions for over a week, sparking concerns about the long-lasting detrimental effects on air quality.
During one point on Tuesday night, New York City’s air quality index soared above 200, a level deemed “very unhealthy” by IQair. At 10 p.m. ET, the city found itself at the top of the list for the poorest air quality among major metropolitan areas, according to IQair.
Later in the night, IQair reported that New York City held the second-highest levels of air pollution worldwide, trailing only behind New Delhi, India. Other cities on the list included Doha, Qatar; Baghdad, Iraq; and Lahore, Pakistan.
Consequently, at least 10 school districts in central New York State opted to cancel outdoor activities and events on Tuesday. These cancellations affected academic, athletic, and extracurricular engagements, while outdoor recess and gym classes were also called off, as stated in school district announcements.
Wildfire smoke contains minuscule particulate matter known as PM2.5, which represents the smallest and most hazardous pollutant. Once inhaled, it can penetrate deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream. PM2.5 stems from various sources, including the combustion of fossil fuels, dust storms, and wildfires, and has been linked to numerous health issues such as asthma, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
Air pollution-related health problems contribute to millions of deaths annually. In 2016, the World Health Organization reported approximately 4.2 million premature deaths associated with fine particulate matter.
On Tuesday, the concentration of PM2.5 in New York City’s air exceeded the guideline established by the World Health Organization by more than tenfold.
