Central New Yorkers who work or exercise outdoors are being warned to use caution as Canadian wildfire smoke continues to drift across the state. Air quality health advisories are likely to remain in place most of the week.
“So, anyone who's over 65, anyone with lung disease, anyone with heart disease, anyone who’s pregnant, these are the higher risk groups,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “But it's important to note that when you see that color turn to red, everyone needs to pay attention to that one.”
For most of the state, on Monday, the air quality index was orange, meaning the general public is typically not affected. The red range is when everyone may begin to experience health problems. McDonald said it’s important to monitor the air quality forecast and listen to your body. He said if coughing or other symptoms develop, it’s a sign to stop activity and get indoors if possible.
The state measures air quality with 50 permanent monitors in different regions. While they use the latest technology, Margaret LaFarr with the state division of air resources said it’s difficult to know exactly what the air is like in specific locations, such as higher or lower elevations.
“Check to see if the smoke is actually hitting ground level,” she recommended. “Many times, you'll see It's not reaching the ground, so it might not be a health concern. There are times you might see air quality issues but it's not affecting health.”
Gradually warming temperatures this week are adding another pollutant to the air: Ozone.
“Ozone generally is not necessarily attributed directly to smoke,” said Commissioner Amanda Lefton with the State Department of Environmental Conservation. “However, summer heat can lead to the formation of ground level ozone, which is a major component of smog, so automobile exhaust or other emission sources can contribute to ozone.”
New York has some of the most stringent air quality regulations in the country. But, Lefton said, wildfire smoke from hundreds of miles away is something they can only monitor and keep residents informed about.
