Relax, people. NYC air quality today is just fine
Air Quality Index (AQI) in the “Good” Range
If you have been hearing about poor air quality in New York City Friday, you can breathe a deep sigh of relief (literally): our air quality is fine. Typical air quality in the city falls below 50 on the air quality index (AQI), within the “good” range.
Air Quality Index (AQI) in the “Moderate” Range
The past few days have seen air quality tick over into the 60s, edging us into the “moderate” category on the AQI. But just barely. Within this range, air quality is nowhere near a level that would begin to cause any distress to people walking or exercising outside, even if you belong to a more sensitive group.
Causes of Higher Air Quality Index
Our slightly higher number on the AQI is a result of marginally higher concentrations of particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the air. You’ll often see us talking about PM 2.5 when wildfire smoke is filtering into our region; thankfully that is not the case this time around.
Instead, these particulates are coming from standard city activity: car exhaust, industrial emissions, anything involving the burning of fossil fuels.
Why is the AQI Higher than Usual?
So if this is just standard city pollution, why is the AQI higher than it usually is?
We actually have our quiet weather to thank. High pressure has been dominating over our region most of the week. This has kept our weather dry and sunny, but it also means our air hasn’t been moving much. While you often associate high pressure with “good” weather, that “good” weather comes thanks to sinking air. But this sinking air acts like a lid over the air at the surface, holding it, and the pollutants within it, in place.
Simply put: high pressure makes it harder for polluted air to rise and disperse, turning air at the surface stale, especially the longer high pressure stays around. An extreme example of this is the Great Smog of London in 1952, but we are nowhere near anything like that.
A Visual Representation of the Air Quality
You are free to go about your day unencumbered by the air quality; it’s not a difference even perceptible to most people. But if you want to look to the horizon, you can catch a glimpse of the layer of stale air trapped at the surface, as seen in the shot from Earth Cam’s Statue of Liberty camera.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can rest easy knowing that the air quality in NYC is just fine. There is no need to worry about the slight increase in particulate matter due to standard city activities and high pressure weather patterns. You can continue to enjoy the outdoors without any concerns about air quality.
FAQs
Q: What is the air quality index (AQI)?
A: The air quality index (AQI) is a measure of the level of air pollution in a given area. It is calculated based on the levels of certain air pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM 2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and ozone.
Q: What is the range of the air quality index (AQI)?
A: The air quality index (AQI) ranges from 0 to 500. The higher the number, the worse the air quality. In NYC, the typical air quality falls below 50, within the “good” range.
Q: What causes an increase in the air quality index (AQI)?
A: An increase in the air quality index (AQI) can be caused by a variety of factors, including standard city activities such as car exhaust, industrial emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels, as well as weather patterns like high pressure, which can trap pollutants at the surface.
