Monroe County provides safety guidelines amid wildfire smoke in Rochester

Marcia Greenwood, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Updated ·2 min read

With another round of smoke from wildfires in Canada blanketing the greater Rochester area, Dr. Michael Mendoza, Monroe County’s public health commissioner, is issuing safety guidelines for being outdoors.

“As our community adapts to wildfire smoke events, it is important to continue enjoying outdoor activities when it is safe to do so,” he wrote in a statement Thursday morning. “Keep in mind that what may be safe for some individuals may not be safe for others. Air quality and its impact on human health can vary greatly depending on individual risk factors.”

An Air Quality Index, or AQI, number of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value of more than 300 represents hazardous air quality.

On Thursday morning, it was sitting at 159.

The ratings are updated in real time at airnow.gov, a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other federal and state and local air-quality agencies.

Heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed Rochester, creating an orange haze over the Sibley Building.
Heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed Rochester, creating an orange haze over the Sibley Building.

In addition to keeping tabs on the ratings, Mendoza said that when the AQI is between 151 and 200:

∎ Summer camps and youth sports organizations should conduct less intense outdoor activities and provide frequent breaks for participants. Staff should watch children carefully for signs of distress to identify those who are more sensitive and ensure immediate access to medications for children and staff with asthma.

When the AQI is between 201 and 300:

∎ Summer camps, youth sports and other such activities should be moved indoors or rescheduled.

∎ Competitive sports and other events involving intense activity, regardless of ages of participants, should be canceled.

∎ Outdoor events that do not involve intense activity (concerts, garden tours, etc.) should consider providing high-quality masks, shortening the timeframe of the events or taking other actions to reduce exposure to unhealthy air.

When the AQI is over 300:

∎ Organizers should cancel all outdoor events, regardless of the activity level.

∎ Employers should consider reducing or restricting outdoor work activities.

∎ Employers should consider air quality in indoor workplaces and take measures to protect workers if needed.

At each one of those AQI levels, children younger than 18, adults 65 years and older and people with heart or lung disease are the most at risk for adverse effects.

Outdoor workers and pregnant women also may need to be more cautious, Mendoza said.

People unsure of risk factors, should talk to their doctors.

“Since air quality can vary by location and time of day, we encourage everyone to regularly monitor local air quality and take appropriate steps to protect yourself and your loved ones,” he said.

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Safety guidelines issued amid wildfire smoke in Rochester NY