An orange haze settled over the five boroughs this morning. New Yorkers have been urged by city officials and the National Weather Service to refrain from leaving their homes until Thursday evening. The unhealthy air quality advisory was initially placed early Tuesday, but has since been extended as wildfires continue to sweep Canadian forests and affect the city’s air quality. NYC’s air registered an air quality index of 362 Wednesday afternoon, making it the worst air quality in the world at that time.

In a university wide email sent on Jun. 7 at 5:13 p.m. The New School Campus Safety addressed the air quality alert. For students who wish to use campus facilities, the email states that “The New York City campus remains open for regular hours tonight, June 7th, and tomorrow, June 8th.”  

According to the email, “event organizers of any on-campus events scheduled for this evening or tomorrow should consider whether it can be rescheduled or, if already planned for hybrid, moved online.”   

The New York Department of Health also urges employers to take steps to reduce the risk for vulnerable employees. New York City’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law states covered employees have the right to use a safe and sick leave to care and treat themselves or their family. 

The Department of Environmental Conservation describes the air pollutant as fine particulate matter. Exposure to this chemical can cause short-term health effects such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as coughing, sneezing, running nose, and shortness of breath. 

These effects are heightened for high risk individuals, such as those with asthma and heart disease, other breathing or heart problems, and young children and older adults. High risk individuals that need to go outdoors are advised to wear a high quality mask, such as an N95 or KN95. 

“These recommendations may change based on updated air quality conditions that come in,” NYC Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. “In the meantime, we recommend all New Yorkers to take the precautions they see fit to protect their health.”

This is a developing story. If the situation continues to worsen The Free Press will provide updates for the community.