‘Minimize exposure’: Air quality today could be unhealthy for those with heart or respiratory problems
Most of the general public will not experience issues today other than visibly noticing some extra haziness to the sky.
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The air quality advisory that was put in effect by Gov. Kathy Hochul remains in place for today.
This is a statewide advisory due to those wildfires that continue to burn in Canada.
State officials say they are closely monitoring the air quality index and expect the smoke will slowly move eastward and stall over central New York and expect the highest smoke concentrations to be in the western and central regions of the state.
They say the smoke plume is predicted to move out of New York more slowly than it moved in and heavier smoke is expected to remain upstate through much of tomorrow.
Locally, we are not expected to see everything turn red or orange the way it did earlier this month.
Most of the general public will not experience issues today other than visibly noticing some extra haziness to the sky.
However, doctors say the elderly and those with heart and respiratory issues, like asthma, will need to be extra careful today and tomorrow, especially with any over-exertion. "The best way would be avoidance. That's always the best way to deal with something like this or to minimize exposure as much as possible," says Dr. Dipak Chandy, of Westchester Medical Center.
The air quality is moderate this morning (generally below 100 AQI), but it will border on unhealthy for sensitive groups only at times today (+100, but below 150 AQI). On Friday, the air quality is expected to be moderate and below alert levels.
In Yonkers, first responders will be handing out masks at the first, second, third, and fourth precincts.
Some people who spoke with News 12 said people need to look at the big picture on air quality rather than what to do for these next two days.
"Become more aware and knowledgeable about what's happening with both the climate, what's happening with in terms of weather changes," says Luz, of Yonkers.
"What we're doing as a community of people or society of people that's adding to the challenges that we face," adds Gene Adams, of Yonkers.
MORE: Air Quality Index
