Governor Kathy Hochul updated New Yorkers on the ongoing statewide response to air quality issues caused by wildfires in Eastern Canada.
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Forecasts show the New York City metropolitan area, Long Island and Western New York regions will be experiencing air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups, while Central New York, the Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley and Eastern Lake Ontario regions are experiencing moderate air quality.
According to the NYSDOH Electronic Syndromic Surveillance System, there were 147 asthma related Emergency Department visits to New York Hospitals, not including New York City, on June 7, 2023, compared to an average of 80 for the five-day period June 1 through June 5.
Using data reported for "respiratory symptoms" on June 8 from Emergency Medical Services response data, which is a timely early warning source, the Department of Health observed:
A statewide increase of 17.8 percent in the rates per 100,000 on 6/7 as compared to the average of the 5-day period of 6/1-6/5
For the metropolitan NYC region, this increase was 28.4 percent and for the Capital Region this was 12.4 percent
According to the NYSDOH Electronic Syndromic Surveillance System, there were 147 asthma related Emergency Department visits to New York Hospitals, not including New York City, on June 7, 2023, compared to an average of 80 for the five-day period June 1 through June 5.
Using data reported for "respiratory symptoms" on June 8 from Emergency Medical Services response data, which is a timely early-warning source, the Department of Health observed:
A statewide increase of 17.8 percent in the rates per 100,000 on 6/7 as compared to the average of the 5-day period of 6/1-6/5
For the metropolitan NYC region, this increase was 28.4 percent and for the Capital Region this was 12.4 percent
As unhealthy air conditions persist in your area, and in the days that follow, the Department of Health recommends that any New Yorker who experiences symptoms or have symptoms that worsen, including those indicative of complications from heart disease or a heart condition, should consult their personal physician or seek immediate medical help. If experiencing symptoms of respiratory irritation while outside, like coughing, first go inside to find cleaner air.
An Air Quality Health Advisory for particulate matter in the Long Island, New York City Metro, and Western New York regions remains in place through at least the end of the day. Particulate matter carried by the wind from wildfires are expected to be on the edge of higher concentration readings in these areas.
The State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100.
The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern.
The air flow is expected to continue to send the heaviest smoke south and west of New York, with the southernly and western regions of the state continuing to see smoke conditions. The forecast for tomorrow shows winds turning to a more north-northwesterly direction, with the possibility some smoke could come into the state late Saturday. ■
A strong storm that originated over the Pacific has tracked through the Great Basin and is currently transitioning across the Rockies to redevelop across the central High Plains later today into early Saturday morning.