“We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?”
—Lee Iacocca
By Alex P. Vidal
THIS time, the air quality in a small city in the Third World is “better” than the air quality in two major American states.
Because of the Canadian wildfires, it is now “safer” to inhale the air in Iloilo City in the Philippines compared to the air quality in New York City and New Jersey in the United States.
This came after air quality alert was issued for New York City August 5. Air Quality Index, or AQI, hit 123 by noon, which was considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Also in New Jersey, although the overall air quality was not considered "unhealthy" for the general population, it could reportedly affect those with pre-existing conditions.
In Jersey City, IQAir reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 71 for PM2.5, also within the moderate range, while in Newark, the Weather Channel forecasted a moderate level for PM2.5, with an AQI of 77.
As of August 5, 2025, the AQI for Iloilo City was reported only at 26, which fell within the "good" to "moderate" range. Ilonggos had a “generally considered acceptable to satisfactory” air quality, with minor concerns for sensitive individuals.
While general air quality in Iloilo City appears acceptable, some pollutants may pose moderate health concerns for sensitive individuals as past reports have reportedly highlighted concerns regarding sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels, with some instances categorized as unhealthy or very unhealthy.
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The alert in New York City was in effect for the five boroughs, as well as western Long Island, the Hudson Valley, northern New Jersey and southwestern Connecticut.
It was recommended that individuals with respiratory issues should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities, especially during peak pollution hours.
Staying informed about the daily AQI can help in making informed decisions about outdoor activities.
Yet another round of smoke and haze from ongoing wildfires burning in Canada's Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces drifted into the Tri-State region on Monday.
Not only did it turn the skies from clear to milky and hazy, it also impacted air quality.
The wildfires prompted another air quality alert for the New York metropolitan area late last month.
Tuesday’s alert was also due to ground level ozone, common in the hot and humid summer months as pollution reportedly gets trapped in the air.
Tuesday was shaping up to be warm and hazy with highs in the mid 80s. Unfortunately, New Yorkers would be seeing more cloud cover than we did August 4.
Clouds will reportedly get the upper hand August 6, keeping temperatures in check — just the low 80s. Smoke is also expected to continue to linger aloft, however, producing hazy skies once again.
While an air quality alert has not yet been issued for Wednesday, it's possible one may be reissued for parts of the area. By Thursday, August 7, the haze should begin to lift, with highs in the low 80s.
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Here’s the New York State official announcement: An Air Quality Health Advisory for PM2.5 was issued for today, August 4, for New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Central and Western New York. In addition, the Air Quality Health Advisory was updated to include ozone for New York City Metro and Long Island. The advisory remains in effect through 11:59 p.m.
The AQI is forecasted to exceed 100, and in some areas, could go above 150 momentarily. When the AQI is above 100, air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, teens, older adults, people with heart or lung disease, and outdoor workers. An AQI above 150 means the air is unhealthy for everyone. We urge everyone, especially those in sensitive groups, to check their local AQI and take precautions as needed.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “To stay safe and healthy, New Yorkers must be Air Quality Aware this summer as we continue to see impacts from the Canadian wildfires and ozone formation. DEC continues to track air quality across the state and works with our partners at the Department of Health to keep the public informed about how to protect themselves and their families and reduce their exposure to air pollution. Stay up to date with DEC’s website or trusted sources like EPA’s AirNow app, which uses air quality data provided by DEC’s statewide monitoring network.”
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)
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