New York City's air quality is more than 56 TIMES over WHO's pollution limit trends now
New York City's air quality is more than 56 times over World Health Organization's safety limit, making it the world's most polluted.
The air quality index (AQI) is at 353 - 500 is the highest - compared to 15 on June 3.
These measurements are taken by converting measured pollutant concentrations to a uniform index based on the health effects associated with a pollutant.
New York City, experiencing its worst air quality in recorded history, is ahead of the typical frontrunners in Dubai, Lahore, Pakistan and Delhi, India.
Mayor Eric Adams also announced Wednesday, urging residents to remain indoors after hazardous smoke from Canadian wildfires bellowed across the border.
However, parts of the nationwide, the Northeast to the Great Lakes, are braced for several more days of smog while Canadian officials battle over 400 wildfires.
New York City is experiencing its worst air quality in recorded history and has topped the chart as the world's most polluted
Swaths of wildfire smoke came blowing into New York City this week, but on Wednesday, the sky turned an ominous orange from the toxic nanoparticles.
Swiss air quality tech firm, IQAir, shares a live ranking of countries with the worst air quality. And numbers are updated live, so they are subject to change.
The company captures this data using PM2.5 measurements.
PM2.5 is defined as particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter and are dangerous and prevalent air pollutants.
The health impact of a particle concentration of 22μg/m3 per 24 hours is equivalent to about one cigarette.
And data shows breathing in the air in New York City for 24 hours is like smoking 22 cigarettes.
New York City is currently 56.3 times the World Health Organization's annual air quality guideline value.
While Dubai, home to 3.33 million people, is 18.9 times over the limit and Delhi, home to more than 32 million people, is 16 times.
