MAYVILLE — Poor air quality from smoke from Canada’s wildfires has returned to the Northeast, making for unhealthy air. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in Albany has issued an air quality health alert related to particulate matter for Chautauqua County.
Outdoor air quality is expected to be above an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 151 for particulate matter. The AQI was developed to easily correlate the concentration of different pollutants on a scale. The higher the AQI score, the greater the health concern.
At approximately 9:30 am this morning, the AQI was 175 across most of Chautauqua County. It is difficult to predict what the hourly AQI reading will be. Therefore, it is recommended that air quality be monitored regularly for the most accurate, up-to-date information.
The Chautauqua County Health Department strongly recommends avoiding strenuous outdoor activity when the air smells of smoke or haze and/or the AQI is above 150.
“We recommend rescheduling youth sporting events if the AQI is greater than 150.” said dr Michael Faulk, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Interim Director of Public Health. “If there is a smell of smoke or visible haze in the air, there is a good chance that the AQI is above 150. While these levels are unlikely to cause immediate or life-threatening symptoms, some people may experience a worsening of their underlying respiratory disease. In addition, individuals may experience mild throat irritation, coughing, or a stuffy nose.”
While CCHD recommendations focus on staying indoors if conditions persist or worsen, they also understand that there may be times when individuals need to leave their homes for appointments or grocery shopping when there is a smell of smoke in the air or hazy conditions or an AQI greater than 150.
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