Air Quality Index (AQI)
Wildfire smoke and dirty air can make it hard to breathe. Just like we use weather forecasts to tell us how to plan for heat, cold and storms, the Air Quality Index (AQI) shows us how clean or dirty the air is outside.
AQI shows you what types of health effects to expect because of dirty air. On days with a high AQI, some people may experience coughing, breathing trouble and itchy, watery eyes. Dirty air can also cause long-term health problems like heart and lung conditions.
Some people are more likely to get sick from dirty air, like those with asthma, heart problems, pregnant people, older adults, children, first responders, and people who work or exercise outside. If you or someone in your household is at risk, take steps now to learn how to protect your health if and when local air quality declines.
Bookmark the airnow.gov web site; you can use that to find your ZIP code’s air quality and next-day forecast. This is helpful if you travel, too.
Share this information with people who may not see it or who need help understanding it.
You can also check the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast or call 1-800-535-1345.
During periods of poor air quality, protect yourself and pets from wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees and plants, buildings, and other material. When wildfires burn near you, smoke can reach your community.
Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but the following are especially at risk:
- People with heart disease, lung disease including asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and other chronic conditions
- Pregnant people
- Older adults
- Children
- First responders
- People who work or exercise outdoors
Breathing in smoke or polluted air can cause:
Respiratory symptoms:
- Coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Wheezing
- Asthma attacks
- Scratchy throat
- Runny nose
- Irritated sinuses/nose
Other physical symptoms:
- Stinging eyes
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Chest pain
- Fast heartbeat
Ways to prevent and reduce exposure to polluted air
Keep smoke outside and reduce your exposure to it.
Though outdoor air is generally impossible to avoid completely, limiting the amount of time you spend outside breathing the polluted air is recommended
- Choose a room you can close off from outside air.
- Close windows, doors, fireplace dampers and turn off ventilation systems.
- Spend more time indoors, where particle pollution levels are usually lower. Postpone any outdoor activities, including sports or hard physical work. They can wait.
- Consider air filters and use as directed.
- If you have to go outside, consider wearing the right respirator mask (N95 or P100) and wear it correctly NIOSH has not approved respirators for children. If you have heart or lung disease ask your doctor if it is safe for you to wear a respirator.
- Avoid using candles, gas, propane, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, or aerosol sprays and don’t fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products, or vacuum.
- If you have a central air conditioning system, use high efficiency filters to capture fine particles from smoke. If your system has a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode or close the outdoor intake damper.
Keep your pets safe
Pets and other animals can be affected by wildfire smoke too.
- Learn how to protect pets and protect livestock.
- Wildfire Smoke and Animals
Children’s Camp Operators
Camp directors should know their local AQI forecast and alert level. See airnow.gov for current conditions and follow DOH/USEPA AQI guidance as follows:
Asthma and Air Pollution
Air pollution can make it harder for people with asthma and other respiratory (breathing) diseases to breathe. Find out how you can protect yourself if you’re living with asthma