‘It’s scary’: New York has world’s worst air quality as Canada wildfires rage

Pollution levels in New York City were in the ‘unhealthy’ range, and higher than those in the New Delhi and Baghdad according to Swiss air quality company, IQAir

Canada is on track for its worst ever wildfire season if the rate of burning continues at the same pace, with around 3.3 million hectares scorched so far

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The sun rises over a hazy New York City skyline as intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern US. Photo: AP

Published: 8:20pm, 7 Jun 2023Updated: 11:03pm, 7 Jun 2023

New York was the most polluted major city in the world on Tuesday night, as smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the city in haze, according to the IQAir website.

Pollution levels in the city were deemed to be in the “unhealthy” range, and were higher than those in New Delhi, India and Baghdad, Iran at 1:25am. New York time, according to the Swiss air quality company.

US. authorities issued air quality alerts. Hazy conditions and smoke from the wildfires were reported across the Great Lakes region from Cleveland to Buffalo.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement on Tuesday night that an Air Quality Health Advisory had been issued for all five boroughs, and while conditions were expected to improve through Wednesday morning, they were predicted to worsen again later in the day.

Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern US in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish grey and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside. Photo: AP

“We are taking precautions out of an abundance of caution to protect New Yorkers’ health until we are able to get a better sense of future air quality reports,” said Adams. “We recommend all New Yorkers limit outdoor activity to the greatest extent possible.”