Rochester has some of the worst air quality numbers in the U.S. right now

Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Updated ·4 min read
3

The Rochester region has some of worst air quality in the world on Wednesday.

A smoky haze has blanketed a swath of the country, a derivative of wildfires raging through Canada.

Rochester was tied for the most unhealthy air in the United States on Wednesday morning, according to live metrics of Air Quality Index (AQI) by the site IQAir.

Rochester's AQI was 282, ahead of Gordonville, Pennsylvania (272) and Ithaca, NY (257). An Air Quality Index of 201-300 is the fourth of five zones and is considered a very unhealthy health alert carrying increased effects for everyone.

Smog from the wildfires in Canada have been making their way across the upper United States. The smog obscures some of the Rochester skyline that is normally clearly scene at Cobb Hills Park.
Smog from the wildfires in Canada have been making their way across the upper United States. The smog obscures some of the Rochester skyline that is normally clearly scene at Cobb Hills Park.

On Tuesday evening, six of top 10 polluted municipalities listed by IQAir were in New York state, including Pittsford at No. 5 (AQI of 180) and Rochester (AQI of 174). New York City had the second-worst air quality of any large city in the world late in the evening.

The unhealthy air is expected to continue. An air quality alert for all of western New York − and nearly the entire state − has been issued through Wednesday by the National Weather Service.

Air quality levels in outdoor air are expected to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 125 for fine particulates on Wednesday.

Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.

More: Bright orange sunsets and smoky odor grip Rochester region

More: Air quality alert in effect for Rochester region

Smog from the wildfires in Canada have been making their way across the upper United States. The Bay Bridge in Irondequoit Bay is barely visible through the smog.
Smog from the wildfires in Canada have been making their way across the upper United States. The Bay Bridge in Irondequoit Bay is barely visible through the smog.

What is the air quality in the Rochester NY area?

IQAir relies on existing air quality stations and independent contributors. Here are the data points in the Rochester region as of Wednesday morning:

  • Brighton: 304

  • Rochester: 282

  • Ithaca: 257

  • Pittsford: 194

  • Honeoye Falls: 158

  • Naples: 156

For reference, IQAir lists Delhi, India as having the worst current air quality among major cities in the world, with an index of 191.

Red flag warnings issued in 5 states: See wildfire, smoke map of US, Canada

What is the Air Quality Index?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a standardized system to correlate levels of different pollutants. It signifies how clean or polluted air is in a geographic location.

Here are the categories and colors.

  • 0-50 (Green): Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.

  • 50-100 (Moderate yellow): Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

  • 101-150 (Orange): Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.

  • 151-200 (Red): Unhealthy. Some members of the general public may experience health effets; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

  • 201-300 (Purple): Very unhealthy. Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.

  • 301 and higher (Maroon): Hazardous. Health warning of emergency conditions: Everyone is more likely to be affected.

More: Calls roll into 911 center as Canadian wildfires impact air quality in Rochester

More: Tips to reduce smoke exposure indoors during Rochester's air-quality alert

When will the air quality improve in New York?

At least through Wednesday, which may be the worst day for air quality.

Smoke from the wildfires will linger in the Rochester region Thursday but further unhealthy air will be determined by how long the fires burn in Quebec. Canadian officials said they're unable to bring all of the more than 160 fires in the province under control.

What is PM2.5?

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an air pollutant made up of tiny particles or droplets that are 2.5 microns or less in width. (To compare, one micron is one twenty-five thousandth of an inch. A human hair is about 70 microns.) The fine particles reduce visibility and high levels cause the air to appear hazy.

The fine particles and penetrate deep into the respiratory tract. Prolonged exposure to unhealthy air can affect lung function for people with existing breathing issues such as asthma. Exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 from a few hours to a few weeks can trigger cardiovascular disease-related heart attacks, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Long-term exposure "can lead to increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and decreases in life expectancy."

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Air quality in Rochester NY is among the worst in United States