Is it safe to go outside as wildfire smoke engulfs parts of US? Tips to stay safe

In some cities, the wildfire smoke is so dense that people can see and smell it in the air. In New York City, many residents took to social media to express concern about the scent of campfire and share photos of the skyline in a reddish-orange haze.

Air quality is measured with something called an Air Quality Index or AQI, which ranges from 0 to 500,The higher the AQI, the higher the level of air pollution and public health concern. An AQI value below 50 is considered good, any AQI over 100 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, an AQI over 150 is unhealthy for all groups, and anything over 300 is hazardous, per AirNow. In New York City, the AQI has ranged from 150 to over 200 since Tuesday.

Wildfire smoke can affect everyone, but certain groups are at higher risk of breathing difficulties and other health issues. The particles can actually stimulate the airways to constrict, he adds."These individuals already have a problem of constricted airways — for example, patients with asthma wheeze — so the inhalation of the particles can exacerbate the problem."

While it's unclear exactly how many more days the air quality will remain unhealthy, Crystal speculates that it should rain in the Northeast in the next few days, which will help improve air quality."If you do not feel well or have coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, headaches, a sore throat, or dizziness — seek medical attention," says Parikh.

When you're inside, make sure to keep all doors and windows shut to reduce the amount of outside polluted air getting indoors, says Parikh."If you have a HEPA air purifier, you can run it in your home, as well," she adds.

The most common causes of poor air quality are high levels of ground-level ozone and particulate matter, according to the National Weather Service, which result from a mix of natural and human activities that cause air pollution.

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