New York City, along with much of the east coast of the United States, has been hit by a major pollution spike, which is reflected in the orange hue the air has taken on. This concentration of fine particles, coming from smoke from Canadian fires, is dangerous for health.
These are very impressive images that go around the world, shared on social networks and international media.
« People vulnerable to poor air quality, including the elderly and young children, should limit time spent outdoors if possible », warns New York Weather Service. Since June 6, 2023, the city and much of the American East Coast have taken on a yellowish then orange hue, producing photographs that, without the slightest touch-up, seem to have come out of a science fiction film, like Dune or Blade Runner 2049.
The horizon itself faded into this orange hue, until part of the panorama disappeared for several hours.
The mass of smoke can also be seen from the sky, in satellite image:
The fires seen from the sky in satellite image. // Source: CIRA
Where does this pollution come from?
In question, the forest fire season, which has started in Canada, causing significant smoke that moves south. These fumes are added to the already high levels of pollution in a city like New York, the city is currently experiencing a very high concentration of fine particles (PM2.5).
As of this Thursday, June 8, the air quality index – AQI – is 179 in New York. Good quality, considered normal, is between 0 and 50. The air quality in New York is therefore “ currently 22.1 times higher than the WHO annual guideline value », indicates IQ Air. A value that is bad, even dangerous, for health. Wilmington City spiked to 199, which is considered even more dangerous. The situation should last for a long time, even if the tint will not remain orange at this point for several weeks.
An image of Times Square, June 7, 2023. // Source: EarthCam
In the most affected areas, exposure for several hours to this polluted and smoke-laden air is equivalent to smoking 5 to 10 cigarettes, illustrates meteorologist Jonathan Porter from AccuWeather. Consequently, as CNN specifiesa distribution of N95 masks – the American equivalent of FFP2 in Europe – has been set up.
The increase in the frequency and severity of fires is part of the results of climate change. A rapport of the United Nations environmental program, in 2022, estimated an increase in extreme fires of 14% by 2030, and 30% by 2050. In the United States, this type of smoke formerly affected mainly the west coast , around California, but the East Coast is increasingly affected.
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2023-06-08 07:00:00
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