Latest news with #AirNow.gov
Mint
5 days ago
- Climate
- Mint
Unhealthy air quality in NYC: Officials urge precautions as Canadian wildfire smoke lingers
Smoke from wildfires raging in Canada has once again blanketed the Tri-State area, triggering an air-quality alert that has been extended through the weekend. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Health (DOH) have issued Air Quality Health Advisories, as per multiple reports, warning of elevated pollution levels that pose risks to vulnerable populations. New York City Emergency Management has warned that air quality remains at Level Orange on the Air Quality Index (AQI), indicating values between 101 and 150 — a level deemed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. These include older adults over 65, children under 14, pregnant individuals, outdoor workers, and people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions such as asthma or heart disease. NYC Emergency Management told residents to take precautions, limit outdoor activity, close windows, use air purifiers if available, and consider wearing a high-quality mask if they must go outside and are in a sensitive group. The haze is being carried southward by northerly winds from Canada, which have helped ease recent heat but ushered in wildfire smoke from active forest fires. While the smoke was thick early Sunday, forecasters expect the worst of it to shift toward New England later in the day. Healthy individuals face low risk from the smoke, but officials still urge caution. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services warned that fine particulate matter in the smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure can exacerbate chronic conditions. Compounding the problem is the return of dangerous heat. A Heat Advisory goes into effect at 11 am Monday and lasts through Tuesday, with heat-index values expected to reach 105°F. Health officials urge residents to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during peak heat hours, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Authorities are urging residents to monitor local air quality levels at follow public health advisories, and take extra care if they belong to any high-risk group. Key advice for residents: Limit outdoor activity, especially for children, the elderly, and those with health conditions Keep windows closed and use air purifiers if possible Wear a high-quality mask outdoors if sensitive to pollution Stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activities during heat peaks
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Supreme Court sides with Utah in air quality lawsuit
Air thick with particulate pollution and fog hangs over Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The AQI at the time was listed at 130 according to and the National Weather Service had issued a dense fog advisory. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Utah and Oklahoma on Wednesday in a case that started over disagreements with the Clean Air Act, and evolved into a debate over where certain lawsuits could be heard. The high court issued a unanimous opinion in Oklahoma v. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday, ruling that local courts can hear objections to federal air quality laws, rather than defer to courts in Washington D.C. The case stems from a 2015 decision by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, that made air quality standards for ozone more strict. Ozone pollution happens when nitrogen oxides react with volatile organic compounds, often called VOCs, according to the EPA. Essentially, when pollutants from cars, refineries, boilers and other sources of emissions react to sunlight and hot temperatures, ground-level ozone forms. Ozone pollution can be common in Utah, especially during summer months. It's been linked to a number of health issues, causing respiratory problems and even intellectual disabilities, according to a recent study from the University of Utah. States were required to submit plans outlining their compliance with the new ozone standards, which included how they would adhere to the Clean Air Act's 'good neighbor' provision — essentially, how the state would try to reign in emissions that might impact air quality in other states. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The EPA rejected plans put forward by 21 states, including Utah and Oklahoma, which sued the agency in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Colorado. But the EPA argued the lawsuits should be heard in a Washington D.C. Circuit Court, since its rule disapproving of the state air quality plans constituted a 'single, nationally applicable action.' The Colorado court complied — but Utah and Oklahoma disagreed, instead taking the issue of jurisdiction to the Supreme Court. And in Wednesday's opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, the court agreed, handing the case back to the 10th Circuit in Colorado. 'These two disapprovals are undisputedly locally or regionally applicable actions. A (state implementation plan) is a state-specific plan, so an EPA disapproval on its face applies only to the State that proposed the (state implementation plan),' Thomas wrote. In a statement, Utah Attorney General Derek Brown celebrated the ruling, describing it as a win for Utah. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE 'The Court agreed with Utah's argument involving the Clean Air Act that local courts should handle local issues, and the federal government should collaborate with the states — not ignore their unique differences,' Brown said. 'We are also grateful to the Trump Administration's EPA for reconsidering its ruling that required litigation in the first place, and look forward to our continued partnership on behalf of Utah.' In March, the Trump administration announced it would reconsider the good neighbor provision, calling it 'troubled.' The EPA said it would work with states whose implementation plans were initially rejected by the Biden administration's EPA, including Utah. Justice Samuel Alito did not take part in the decision. According to SCOTUSblog, Alito owns stock in a company that was also challenging the EPA's good neighbor provision.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Canadian wildfire smoke impacts Southern Tier air quality
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)— The Southern Tier was under an air quality advisory for 'fine particulate matter' because of the smoke from the wildfires burning in Canada on Saturday, June 7. Doctors are recommending that people stay aware of the effects of unhealthy air conditions in the area. 'Smoke has started to move in because of the Canadian wildfires, and what we have been seeing these days with lots of sunshine and dry conditions, which makes it a lot easier for that smoke to move into our region,' said Alivia Colón, 18 Storm team meteorologist One injured after house fire breaks out in Village of Savona on Sunday There are several ways to determine if air quality is affecting an individual. The impact can occur over time. 'You may hear increased wheezing, moving around becomes a lot more challenging, such as climbing stairs or hills, you may also have other signs of irritation, such as cough, throat irritation, and other allergy-type symptoms,' said Bradley DeWitt, Centralus Health Physician Assistant. Air quality affects everyone, even if it doesn't seem to do so. According to the Department of Ecology, State of Washington, exposure to smoke in the air can make existing heart and lung conditions worse. NYSDEC issues air quality advisory for Southern Tier, Finger Lakes on Saturday & Sunday 'Smoke is smoke, it's not great for anybody's lungs, so I think when the air quality alert is issued, I think in general you should limit your time spent outside,' said Colón. It is especially important for older individuals and people with pre-existing health conditions are more susceptible to stay up to date on air quality. For more information on the air quality in your area, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Metro Detroit skies hazy from Canada wildfire smoke; air quality advisory until noon
Air quality in metro Detroit was unhealthy for sensitive groups on the morning of Friday, June 6, as Michigan continued to see the effects of Canadian wildfire smoke. An air quality advisory was expected to remain in effect until noon, and as of 8 a.m., much of metro Detroit fell under the sensitive group listing, according to Elsewhere in the area, air quality was deemed moderate rather than good. The air quality advisory was issued Thursday, June 5, for counties including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, Lenawee and others in mid-Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy's alert through the National Weather Service. More: Canadian wildfire smoke engulfs Michigan's Mackinac Bridge, causing it to disappear More: 'We were not prepared': Canada fought nightmarish wildfires as smoke became US problem The environmental agency reported that particle pollution could occasionally reach levels that are unhealthy for everyone, not just sensitive groups, according to a June 5 release from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. Those levels weren't expected to persist, but Saturday could see moderate air quality levels, according to the June 5 release. When possible, residents should avoid strenuous activities, especially if they have heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma, according to the weather service alert. They should also monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness or burning in the nose, throat and eyes. Residents are also asked to avoid contributing to air pollution during the advisory by avoiding outdoor burning and the use of residential wood-burning devices. The map below displays the current air quality at monitoring sites in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Air monitoring sites are color-coded based on the pollutant (ozone or particulate matter) with the highest value. Particles that are less than 10 micrometers and 2.5 micrometers in diameter are called PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. An AQI of 50 or below means the current air quality is good. The shaded areas of the map show the approximate boundaries where air quality is available and listed as anything other than good. The information is updated hourly. Good Moderate Unhealthy for sensitive groups Unhealthy Very unhealthy Hazardous Some people are more sensitive to air pollution because of their age or health. People who are active or work outdoors are also at higher risk when the air quality is poor. Health concerns related to poor air quality may include difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing and more serious health effects such as lung damage, asthma attacks, heart attacks and stroke. Here's how to interpret the Air Quality Index values, according to the U.S. EPA: Good (0-50): The level of pollution in the air is of little to no risk. Moderate (51-100): For people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution, a moderate health concern may exist. Unhealthy for sensitive groups (101-150): People who are more sensitive to air pollution may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Unhealthy (151-200): Some people may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Very unhealthy (201-300): An alert is triggered; the general population is at risk for more serious health effects. Hazardous (301-500): Emergency conditions health alert: Everyone is likely to be affected. For more information about air quality, visit Free Press reporter Kristi Tanner contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Canada wildfire smoke affects metro Detroit, Michigan air quality
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Canadian wildfire smoke causing haze in county
Ashtabula County skies have seen hazy conditions, as smoke from the ongoing Canadian wildfires has blown across the midwest. Ashtabula County Health Department Director of Environmental Health Randall Barnes said the pollution is moderately bad right now. 'Thankfully, it's not really bad here right now,' he said. Barnes said the smoke had mainly caused increases in particle air pollution. Barnes recommended seniors, children, people with asthma, or lung and heart conditions, and other people particularly sensitive to particle pollution limit their time outside, he said. 'Consider taking it a little bit easier,' he said. N-95 masks would also be helpful when going outside, filtering out particle pollution, Barnes said. Barnes said people should make sure they have proper air filters installed, and that more technologically sophisticated air filters would also help. Barnes encouraged outdoor workers to take breaks when possible to avoid too much exposure, he said. AirNow recommends people stay safe when doing outdoor actives so they limit their exposure. According to the Environmental Protection Agency's website, particle pollution can affect the health of a person's lungs or heart, and cause premature death, aggravated asthma, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, decreased lung function and coughing. Barnes said county residents can learn more about current air quality on where people can enter their zip code and see current air quality, alongside forecasts for the next day. 'I would like to encourage people to be aware,' he said. AirNow, as of Thursday, lists particle pollution for the Ashtabula area as having a moderate amount of particle pollution. Barnes said the last time wildfire smoke drifted over the region in 2023 certainly seemed worse. According to the American Lung Association's 2025 State of the Air Report, the 2023 Canadian Wildfires 'drove levels of ozone and particle pollution in dozens of central and eastern states higher than they have been in many years.'
