Amid the aftermath of the massive wildfires in Canada, New York State issued another Air Quality Health Advisory and advised residents to refrain from outdoor activities.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced on the 28th that it would issue an air quality health advisory until midnight on the 29th for the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Lakeland, Orange, and Putnam counties.
The State Environmental Conservation Agency issued Level 3, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and Level 4, Unhealthy advisories as the Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to exceed 101. The problem is that the air quality index may progress to the 5th level of ‘Very Unhealthy’ or the last level of ‘Hazardous’, so the elderly need to be careful.
The Department of Environmental Conservation did not recommend that residents stay indoors but refrain from strenuous outdoor activities to reduce the risk and recommended wearing masks. Accordingly, the MTA is distributing free N95 masks at LIRR, Metro North Train Station, and subway stations such as Manhattan Penn Station and Grand Central.