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https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-libraries-giving-out-masks-as-wildfire-smoke-sinks-air-quality>
“Air quality worsened in New York City over the day Wednesday, as wildfire
smoke continued to roll in from Canada. Libraries and city train stations were
giving out free KN95 masks for anyone struggling to breathe.
The masks are available at all Brooklyn and Queens public library locations,
along with the St. George Library Center on Staten Island, the Bronx Library
Center, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in Manhattan, the city’s
Office of Emergency Management said late Tuesday. The MTA said masks would also
be available at subway, LIRR, and Metro-North stations.
The Air Quality Index was showing "unhealthy for sensitive groups" or
"unhealthy" levels across the five boroughs mid-Wednesday, after having been
listed as "moderate" earlier in the day. Meteorologists from the National
Weather Service said the air could potentially worsen further if the smoke
mixes closer to the surface. Air quality was listed as unhealthy in central New
York and parts of the state further northwest.
Sensitive groups can include children and teens, the elderly, pregnant people,
people with asthma, people with lung and heart conditions, people who exercise
and work outdoors, and people in disadvantaged communities. Officials advised
people in those groups to stay inside, near air conditioning if possible.
The smoky conditions on Wednesday are set to coincide with extreme heat and
humidity across the five boroughs, with temperatures expected to reach close to
100 degrees. A heat advisory will be in effect until 9 p.m.”
Via Susan ****
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
