The summer season has never been particularly comfortable in New York City, however, ongoing climate change has resulted in locals managing not only muggy, humid weather, but spikes of poor air quality. This phenomenon was particularly noticeable last year in early June, when smoke from wildfires in Canada draped the city in a heavy haze for several days.

This guide aims to discuss air quality measurements, why it presents a significant danger, and how to best mitigate this increasingly common hazard.

What is Air Quality Index (AQI)?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measurement used by the Environmental Protection Agency to describe the concentration of five hazardous pollutants that may present health risks to the public:

• ground-level ozone

• particle pollution (also known as particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10)
• carbon monoxide
• sulfur dioxide
• nitrogen dioxide

The AQI is broken up into six levels of concern ranging from “good” to “hazardous.” Any AQI value over 100 is considered hazardous to vulnerable populations, and a value over 150 is potentially hazardous to healthy adults.

Over the course of the week of June 7th 2023, the AQI fluctuated from 22 (Good) to 247 (Very unhealthy.)

Who is most at risk when the AQI is high?

Poor air quality can increase the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer in high enough concentrations, however individuals under age 18 or over age 65 are most at risk of complications. Additionally, individuals with existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions can be particularly susceptible to air quality-related medical complications.

While age or existing medical conditions increase risk factors, even healthy adults are generally advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality.

How to monitor AQI

While there is an obvious haze in the air during periods of extremely high AQI, poor air quality is not always so obvious. Individuals sensitive to poor air quality should get in the habit of monitoring AQI like any other element of the weather, and even those not predisposed to air quality-related complications should get a sense of the current air quality when planning strenuous outdoor activity.

Current AQI ratings are easy to find at AirNow.gov and extended forecasts are available on the Beijing Air Pollution Tracker website.

Mitigating the risks of poor air quality

The best way to prevent negative health effects when air quality is poor is to simply stay inside with your windows closed and limit any strenuous outdoor activity.  If you are obligated to go outside when the AQI is high, the New York State Department of Health recommends using an N95 or KN95 face mask to lower your overall exposure.

While this advice is useful during periods where the AQI is slightly elevated, there are additional steps you can take during extreme circumstances (i.e. an AQI around 150 or higher,) or if you or a loved one has a health condition that creates higher risk.

• Keep windows closed. Use duct tape or plastic wrap to seal gaps if your windows are particularly drafty.
•  Minimize the use of kitchen exhaust fans and consider sealing bathroom air vents. These openings can create a change in the air pressure inside a home, pulling in additional outside air.
• Invest in an appropriately-sized air purifier for your home. Ideally one with a 13+ MERV rating to ensure smaller particulate matter is captured.
• Some air conditioner units offer users the option to pull in fresh air or recirculate air already inside the home. Using the recirculating option will lower the amount of new particulate matter entering the home.
• If you or a loved one are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality, consider establishing a “clean room” by sealing it off from the remainder of your home by closing and sealing doors. This room should have as few windows as possible and be free of appliances like ovens or fireplaces. Ideally, you will want an air purifier for this specific room to keep the air as clean as possible.
• Monitor the AQI throughout the event and take advantage of any periods of better air quality by opening a window to allow fresh air inside.

SelectCare has helped New York families overcome challenges great and small for nearly 40 years, and our emergency planning, communication, and support systems have helped our clients remain safe in a variety of emergency scenarios.

To learn more about SelectCare and how we help, contact SelectCare today, read client testimonials, or request a free in-home care guide.