New Yorkers ‘can smell the smoke’ as air quality worsens

People living in New York have been told to remain inside their homes due to the worsening air quality throughout the state.

They have also been urged to conserve energy and to limit outdoor fires due to the smoke caused by wildfires in New Jersey and as far away as Nova Scotia, in Canada, which began last week.

Such are the poor air conditions currently being experienced in the area, that people with asthma and heart disease are said to be vulnerable, while eyes can become irritated and people can experience a shortness of breath.

Basil Seggos, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, warned of the prevailing situation in a press conference, saying: “Most New Yorkers – all New Yorkers – have seen the conditions out in the field today.

“The sky is hazy, visibility is terrible and you can smell the smoke in the air.”

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At the end of last week, there was also an increase in ground-level ozone, a dangerous chemical produced in hot, humid weather.

Seggos revealed that the air quality index (AQI) reached 135, which is considered a level of concern for sensitive groups, such as those suffering from asthma, while later on the AQI hit the 150 mark.

Children, the elderly and those with existing heart and breathing problems can be especially at risk during such worsening conditions.

The particulate matter in the local atmosphere is pervasive as it “can also penetrate pretty deeply into our lungs, and make it harder for our whole respiratory tract to work and effectively bring in oxygen,” said Gary Ginsberg, who leads the state health department’s Center for Environmental Health.

“It makes the work of the heart more difficult.

“We can’t rule out long-term adverse health effects from inhaling any kind of smoke over the course of hours to days, so it’s best to be precautious.”

In a statement following the press conference, James McDonald, the acting state health commissioner, repeated the health concerns.

He said: “Those who experience symptoms or have symptoms that worsen should consider consulting their personal physician.”

Officials don’t expect the situation to improve much over the coming days, as more wildfires are expected in Canada, which will have a knock-on effect for those in the New York region.