Air Quality Advisory in New York City Links Smoke Exposure to Cigarette Smoking
A former EPA official warned that the wildfire smoke affecting New York City could expose residents to pollutant levels comparable to smoking several cigarettes per day, prompting health officials to advise staying indoors.
New York City officials have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory as wildfire smoke from Canada and the Great Lakes raises the Air Quality Index (AQI) to the 151-200 range, classified as unhealthy. Pollution specialist Michael Petroni, a former EPA employee, said the current conditions could be equivalent to smoking multiple cigarettes for those who spend time outdoors.
Petroni explained that roughly 20 AQI points over a full day correspond to the exposure from one cigarette, and the present AQI levels suggest a comparable dose for several hours of outdoor breathing. He warned that fine particulate matter and other toxins can enter the bloodstream, potentially increasing long-term risks of cancer and heart disease.
Short-term exposure may cause eye irritation, fatigue, headaches, and breathing difficulties, especially during physical activity. Petroni advised residents to remain indoors where possible, use air filtration or air-conditioning systems, and wear N95-type masks, which the city is distributing for free, to reduce inhalation of polluted air.