Due to the record high air quality indexes, health officials recommend that everyone must wear a tight-fitting mask like N95 and KF94|(@US_Stormwatch)|via EarthCam
As the Canadian wildfire smoke covers large parts of the Eastern US, American air quality has taken a toll causing schools across the East Coast to cancel outdoor activities and airline traffic to slow.
Record high air quality indexes show levels above the threshold of 100, which is considered “unhealthy.” Experts advise millions living in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC to stay indoors and use air purifiers for safety.
On Wednesday evening, Philadelphia issued a “code red” alert. New Jersey and New Haven also faced “very unhealthy” air quality indexes, ranging from 200-300, per AirNow.gov.
The hazy conditions, with reduced visibility and a yellowish tint, have disrupted daily life. The air pollution levels are way beyond normal and are expected to stay as such for the rest of the week.
How to stay safe?
Health officials recommend that everyone must
- Wear a tight-fitting mask like N95 and KF94, and change clothes after getting indoors.
- Stay indoors and keep the space safe from pollution by shutting doors and windows, including the fireplace flute. Use of an air purifier with high-efficiency filters to remove fine particles.
- Avoid any strenuous activity as well as smoking.
- Avoid burning candles and using gas and stoves for cooking to maintain indoor air quality. Avoid frying food.
- Keep central air running, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and keep it in recirculation mode.
- Keep a close watch on babies and young children for breathing difficulties or excessive coughing.
- Seek emergency attention for chest pain or shortness of breath.
The start of Canada’s wildfire season has been one of the worst on record with more than 400 blazes reported in Canada—double the seasonal norm.
Wildfires have scorched more than 9 million acres of forest, more than 10 times the area that had burnt by this time last year.