How Many Cigarettes You'd Have to Smoke to Equal Air Quality Crisis Effects

Tatiana Tenreyro
·2 min read
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East Coasters woke up to a post-apocalyptic-looking skyline on June 7 after smoke from Canadian wildfires traveled to the US.

The orange hued haze and smell of smoke are a big enough warning to limit time outside as much as possible. It turns out the health risks are greater than many likely expected.

As reported by ABC affiliate 13 WHAM, breathing in the wildfire smoke is comparable to smoking 3 to 11 cigarettes a day. According to Air Quality calculations through the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) site based on data surrounding Stanford University and University of California's recent studies, spending a whole day outside in New York City would expose you to pollution "as harmful as three cigarettes."

At one point during the day, New York City broke its record for the highest concentration of air pollution, reaching an Air Quality level of over 350. For reference, the Air Quality is measured in a points system between 0 and 500, and anything above 300 is considered hazardous.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul held a press conference to give updates on the effects of the wildfire on the city, during which she referred to the matter as a "health and environmental crisis" and implored citizens to stay indoors.

"This is something that's having an effect on everyone, so we're recommending that people cancel their outdoor activities," she said.

Related: 12 Top-Notch Air Purifiers to Boost Air Quality and Breathe Easier

Hochul added, "You don't need to go out and run tonight. You don't need to go out and take a walk. You don't need to push the baby in the stroller. This is not a safe time to [be outside] and I want to reiterate that."

Some of the areas most affected are Brooklyn and The Bronx, which had an Air Quality level of 413, while Queens was at 407. A Yankees versus Chicago White Sox game was rescheduled due to the airborne hazards.

New York City isn't the only area strongly affected by the smoke. Washington, D.C. temporarily reached an Air Quality level above 200, as did Philadelphia.

Next: Here Are the Signs and Symptoms That Wildfire Smoke Could Be Hurting You