Hochul said in a statement Wednesday, June 7 that much of the state will experience an “unhealthy to very unhealthy” air quality index for most of the day as smoke from the Canadian wildfires drifts into the northeast. middle.
Schools in New York City, Syracuse and Rochester have suspended outdoor school activities because of the smog, according to Hochul.
“I support their and other districts’ decision to suspend outdoor school activities and strongly urge those who have not already done so to follow suit,” Hochul said.
Since Monday, June 5, both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Health have issued air quality warnings because the air is full of fine particles that can cause health problems.
According to the Putnam County Health Department, this air pollution can cause the following health effects for members of sensitive groups who spend time outdoors:
- eye, nose, and throat irritation;
- cough;
- sneeze;
- runny nose;
- Shortness of breath.
Health officials added that moving indoors reduces exposure to pollutants.
The National Weather Service also issued an air quality alert for the Northeast. This alert will remain in effect until midnight on Thursday, June 8.
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