NYC Wildfire Smoke Equals Up To 9 Cigarettes A Day, Expert Says

NEW YORK, NY— Smoke from Canadian wildfires pushed New York City’s air quality into the Unhealthy category Friday, with an Air Quality Index reading of 118.

The pollution was driven by elevated levels of PM2.5, or fine particulate matter— tiny particles that can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.

At Friday’s AQI level of 118, New Yorkers in sensitive groups were most at risk, though prolonged outdoor exposure could cause symptoms such as throat irritation, coughing or difficulty breathing even among healthy individuals.

Spending a full day outdoors when the Air Quality Index climbs above 150 can expose someone to fine-particle pollution roughly comparable to smoking seven to nine cigarettes.

The comparison, made by Dr. Jonathan M. Tan, division chief of General Anesthesiology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, refers to exposure to PM2.5 — the microscopic particles in wildfire smoke that can travel deep into the lungs.

Tan told AccuWeather the analogy is an imperfect, but useful way to help people understand the health risks of smoky air.

The AQI scale used by air quality officials breaks down conditions as follows:

• 0–50: Good — Little to no risk from air pollution.
• 51–100: Moderate — Generally acceptable, though unusually sensitive individuals may experience effects.
• 101–150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups — People with asthma, heart disease, lung conditions, children, and older adults may experience health effects.
• 151–200: Unhealthy — Everyone may begin experiencing health effects, with sensitive groups at greater risk of serious complications.
• 201–300: Very Unhealthy — Health risks increase for everyone.
• 301+: Hazardous — Emergency conditions affecting the entire population.

The EPA’s annual PM2.5 standard is 9 μg/m³, meaning Friday’s short-term pollution levels were more than four times that benchmark.

What Is The Average Air Quality In My Neighborhood?

Neighborhood PM2.5 averages across New York City showed elevated readings compared to Friday:

• Astoria (North)–Ditmars–Steinway: 7.26 μg/m³
• Bedford-Stuyvesant (West): 7.20 μg/m³
• Lower East Side: 7.17 μg/m³
• East Harlem (South): 6.88 μg/m³
• Upper West Side–Lincoln Square: 6.84 μg/m³
• Forest Hills: 6.74 μg/m³
• Prospect Lefferts Gardens–Wingate: 6.72 μg/m³

When Will Air Quality Improve?

Forecasts show conditions improving after Friday’s spike:

• Friday, 7/17: AQI 118 — Unhealthy
  Sensitive groups may experience immediate health effects. Limit prolonged outdoor activity.
• Saturday, 7/18: AQI 52 — Poor
  Air quality improves significantly but remains unhealthy for sensitive groups.
• Sunday, 7/19: AQI 48 — Fair
  Air quality returns to a generally acceptable range, though sensitive individuals may still notice symptoms with prolonged exposure.
• Monday, 7/20: AQI 52 — Poor
  Pollution levels may rise slightly again, with sensitive groups advised to reduce outdoor exposure if symptoms occur.

“At unhealthy levels, everyone — not just people with asthma and heart conditions, not just older adults — everyone may feel health effects,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, urging New Yorkers to limit time outdoors, avoid strenuous activity and take precautions as wildfire smoke combines with extreme heat.

Health experts said the biggest risks come from tiny particles in wildfire smoke that can enter the lungs, worsen breathing problems and contribute to long-term health concerns with repeated exposure.

For many New Yorkers, the question is simple: How worried should they be, and what should they do now?

How Dangerous Is The Wildfire Smoke?

Dr. Eric Ascher, a family medicine physician at Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital, told Patch the current conditions are manageable for many healthy people, but those with underlying health conditions should take extra care.

“Anybody with a chronic lung condition like asthma or COPD or somebody on a medication that would make it more difficult to breathe should be mindful,” Ascher said.

The combination of extreme heat and wildfire smoke creates greater health risks than either hazard alone, added Dr. Neal Shipley, medical director of Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care.

“Heat and wildfire smoke don't just add up, they compound each other's effects on the body,” Shipley said. “High heat already puts stress on the cardiovascular system, forcing the heart to work harder to keep the body cool. When smoke particles are in the air at the same time, that adds strain on the lungs too.”

Shipley said children, older adults, pregnant people, outdoor workers and people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart disease face the highest risks during poor air quality days.

Dr. Neelima Tummala, an otolaryngologist at NYU Langone Health, said wildfire smoke affects everyone because everyone breathes the polluted air.

“When people breathe in this polluted air, whether you have something like asthma or not, it's still going to affect the nose,” Tummala said.

The smoke can irritate the nose, throat and lungs, causing congestion, throat discomfort and inflammation.

What Symptoms Mean You Should Seek Medical Help?

Not every reaction to wildfire smoke requires medical attention.

Watery eyes, mild throat irritation and nasal congestion are common effects of exposure, Ascher said.

The warning signs are more serious breathing problems.

People should watch for:

• Shortness of breath.
• Trouble taking a deep breath.
• Heavy or unusual breathing.
• Wheezing.
• Persistent coughing.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Chest tightness or chest pain.

“If there's any sort of dizziness,” Ascher said, “that's when you know we start to worry about this.”

Shipley said residents should not ignore symptoms that go beyond irritation.

“The big ones are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, and feeling unusually tired or run down,” Shipley said.

People experiencing severe breathing problems or chest pain should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Those with asthma or other chronic lung disease who notice worsening symptoms should contact a health care provider promptly.

How Can You Tell The Difference Between Allergies And Smoke Exposure?

Wildfire smoke can resemble seasonal allergies because both can cause watery eyes, congestion and throat irritation.

But breathing issues are often the difference.

“If you feel as though you're somebody who suffers normally from seasonal allergies and this doesn't feel like that would feel, then I would say it's likely the wildfires,” Ascher said.

Shipley said timing also offers an important clue.

“If it's hazy out, there's an air quality advisory, and your symptoms started or got worse specifically on a smoke day, that's probably what's going on,” Shipley said.

He said allergies typically do not cause worsening cough, chest tightness or significant shortness of breath.

Should You Wear A Mask Outside?

Health experts said reducing exposure remains the best protection.

If outdoor activity is unavoidable, a properly fitted N95, KN95 or P100 mask can help filter harmful wildfire smoke particles.

“Other masks like cloth masks and surgical masks are not going to be helpful against the air pollutants,” Tummala said.

Shipley said residents should also keep windows and doors closed, run air conditioners on recirculation mode and use HEPA air purifiers when possible.

What Else Can You Do To Protect Your Health?

Experts recommend:

• Check the Air Quality Index before spending time outdoors.
• Move exercise and other strenuous activities indoors.
• Keep windows and doors closed.
• Use a HEPA air purifier if available.
• Run air conditioners on recirculation mode.
• Consider a saline rinse using distilled water after spending time outside to reduce irritation.
• If you have asthma, COPD or heart disease, make sure medications are refilled and your treatment plan is up to date.

Can Wildfire Smoke Cause Long-Term Health Problems?

Short-term exposure usually causes temporary irritation, but repeated smoke events raise broader health concerns.

Wildfire smoke contains microscopic particles that can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.

Research has linked long-term exposure to air pollution with increased risks for heart disease, pregnancy complications and reduced lung development in children.

Tummala said the particles can affect more than the respiratory system.

“There's the short-term complications,” Tummala said. “There's the long-term concerns.”

Shipley said researchers are also studying the effects of repeated wildfire smoke exposure over multiple summers.

“Research shows that people who go through repeated heavy smoke exposure over several weeks can see reduced lung function that sticks around for years,” Shipley said. “It's that repeated exposure, not just one really bad day, that's starting to worry researchers when it comes to long-term lung and heart health.”

Why Are Wildfire Smoke Events Becoming More Common?

Tummala said wildfire smoke events are becoming more frequent as climate change contributes to longer and more severe wildfire seasons.

She said rising temperatures also increase ground-level ozone, another pollutant that can worsen respiratory health.

“With the planet getting warmer due to climate change, this is worsening wildfire season,” Tummala said.

Officials continue to urge residents to monitor air quality forecasts, limit outdoor activity during smoke events and seek medical care if symptoms become severe.