DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Air pollution sparks alarm, dims World Cup cheer in India
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Blassy Boben | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An aerial view shows residential buildings and a stadium shrouded in smog in New Delhi, India, October 27, 2023. Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 415 on a scale of 500 in the capital's Anand Vihar area on Thursday, indicating "severe" levels of pollution that can affect healthy people and those with existing ailments. The dip in air quality in the region during the winter months is often accompanied by a spike in respiratory illnesses, spurring school and factory closings. The worsening air quality has cast a shadow over the cricket World Cup as fans flock to stadiums across Indian cities. Players have expressed concern about the toxic air, with England's Joe Root complaining of breathing difficulties during a game and India's Rohit Sharma urging change for "future generations".

Persons: Altaf Hussain, Anand, Joe Root, India's Rohit Sharma, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, BCCI, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Delhi, Anand Vihar, Pakistan's Lahore, Swiss, India's Mumbai, AQI, Mumbai, Sri Lanka

☆ Marathoners in Beijing go maskless, unfazed by smog
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Liz Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Participants take part in the Beijing Marathon, at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China October 29, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Runners undeterred by thick smog engulfing the Chinese capital ran the Beijing Marathon maskless on Sunday, many wearing shorts in one of the warmest Octobers on record. Beijing was the fourth most-polluted major city in the world on Sunday, according to Swiss air-quality technology firm IQAir. Beijing's high on Sunday was 19 C (66 F), according to the national weather bureau. The weather bureau forecast weak cold air currents to last the rest of the month before beginning to cool in early November.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Fang Chong, Liz Lee, Ryan Woo, Han Xiao, Bernard Orr, William Mallard Organizations: Beijing, REUTERS, Rights, Beijing Marathon, Meteorological Centre, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, Tiananmen, Haidian, Beijing's, Tangshan, Handan, Hebei

Forest and peat fires are an annual problem in Indonesia that strains relations with neighboring countries. In recent years, smoke from the fires has blanketed parts of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and southern Thailand. Hundreds of forest fires in South Kalimantan province in Borneo island made the smoke haze even more widespread, especially during the last week. The local government has also called the students to do online learning because the air quality is unhealthy. “We are still working to handle the forest and land fires in Borneo and Sumatra islands as well as possible.

Persons: Siti Nurbaya Bakar, shouldn't, Bakar Organizations: —, Indonesian, Forestry, Associated Press, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Agency Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, — Indonesia, Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesian, Malaysia’s, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, IQAir, Swiss, South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan

☆ Indonesia launches sky train in capital, hopes to ease traffic and pollution
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks as he launches the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 28, 2023. The driverless, 41.2 km (25.6 miles) Light Rail Transit (LRT) system connects central Jakarta and its satellites cities in West Java, Bekasi and Depok. People in Greater Jakarta commonly use a 418 km (260 mile) Commuter Line which serve around 1.2 million passengers per day. The president blamed the pollution on excessive road traffic and industries using coal and said nearly 1 million vehicles enter Jakarta each day. "Jakarta is always on the top 10 of list of cities with the worst traffic jams," he said.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Antara, Hafidz Mubarak, Ananda Teresia, Martin Petty Organizations: Rail, REUTERS, Acquire, Rights, Monday, Swiss, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, Greater Jakarta, West Java, Borneo, Nusantara, Southeast

☆ Jakarta orders civil servants to work from home to fight soaring pollution
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“The air quality in the Greater Jakarta Area has been very, very bad,” Widodo said. ASEAN is a regional bloc that brings together 10 Southeast Asian countries, many of which have long suffered high pollution levels in their major cities. Ministers in the Southeast Asian country confirmed this week that President Widodo had been battling a cough for weeks and suggested it could be related to worsening air pollution in Jakarta. Air pollution has long plagued the Greater Jakarta area, with factories, coal-fired power plants and traffic congestion all contributing to the smog, according to experts. Experts previously told CNN the health costs of Indonesia’s air pollution cannot be underestimated.

Persons: Joko, Widodo, ” Widodo, Heru Budi, Sigit Wijatmoko, ” Wijatmoko, “, Wijatmoko, Sandiaga Uno Organizations: CNN, Jakarta Gov, CNN Indonesia, 43rd ASEAN Summit, Jakarta Convention Center, ASEAN, Ministers, Tourism, ” Tourism Locations: Jakarta, Swiss, Greater Jakarta Area, Greater Jakarta

☆ Wildfire-hit British Columbia blanketed with hazardous smoke pollution
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] A boat passes under the Lions Gate bridge to enter Vancouver Harbour, shrouded in a haze of wildfire smoke, as seen from Cypress Mountain in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren Acquire Licensing RightsREVELSTOKE, British Columbia, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Millions of people in the western Canadian province of British Columbia were under air quality warnings on Monday as hundreds of wildfires filled the skies with smoke and turned the sun orange. In the cities of Kelowna and Kamloops, the air quality index (AQI) was above 350, a "hazardous" level, real-time air quality information platform IQAir showed. Wildfire smoke is a seasonal occurrence for much of heavily-forested British Columbia, but the number of wildfires and amount of land burned is trending higher as a result of climate change, increasing concerns about the impact on human health. "This type of extreme smoke event covering all of our province does not happen every year," said Jalena Bennett, smoke information specialist with BlueSky Canada, adding 2018 was the last time wildfire smoke was so widespread.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Jalena Bennett, Ash, Marie, Eve Hervieux, Bobby Sekhon, Nia Williams, Denny Thomas, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, British Columbia, BlueSky, Environment, Thomson Locations: Lions, Vancouver, Cypress Mountain, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Rights REVELSTOKE, Canadian, British, Kelowna, Kamloops, Lahore, Pakistan, BlueSky Canada, Shuswap Lake, Environment Canada, Metro Vancouver, Revelstoke

☆ Canada to deploy military in British Columbia to tackle fast-spreading fires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Summary British Columbia declares state of emergency after wildfiresFlames have led to evacuation orders for more than 35,000 peopleAQI of some British Columbia cities at 'hazardous' levelsREVELSTOKE, British Columbia, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Canada is sending the military to tackle fast-spreading wildfires in British Columbia, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday, as the western province deals with flames that have led to evacuation orders for more than 35,000 people. In some cities in British Columbia, the air quality index (AQI), which measures major pollutants including particulate matter produced by fires, was above 350, a "hazardous" level, IQAir, a real-time air quality information platform showed. West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund said he saw some hope after battling "epic" fires for the past four days. Since 2009, Canada has been spending more on fighting and suppressing wildfires than on maintaining its firefighting personnel and program. In British Columbia, the TransCanada highway was closed near Chase, about 400 km (250 miles) northeast of Vancouver.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Jason Brolund, that's, Brolund, Trudeau, Krista Flesjer, Kip Lumquist, Lumquist, Nia Williams, Dan Whitcomb, Nilutpal, Denny Thomas, Mark Porter, Matthew Lewis, Lisa Shumaker, Gerry Doyle, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Columbia, Flames, British Columbia, Kelowna College, ., Canadian Broadcasting Corp, Reuters, U.S ., Canadian, REUTERS Acquire, Government, Thomson Locations: Columbia, REVELSTOKE, British Columbia, Canada, British, Kelowna, U.S, U.S . Pacific Northwest, Washington, Oregon, Squilax, Kamloops, New York, U.S . East Coast, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Chase, Vancouver, Craigellachie, Los Angeles, Bengaluru

☆ Jakarta is the world's most polluted city. And Indonesia's leader has the cough to prove it
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —Indonesia’s capital Jakarta is the world’s most polluted city, according to a new study, and the country’s president may have the cough to prove it. Uno said doctors were still diagnosing the cause of Widodo’s cough but added that it might be related to the worsening air quality, reported CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia. But in recent weeks air quality in the capital has become particularly bad, deteriorating to the worst in the world, according to data provided by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company. On August 9, Jakarta topped its list of polluted cities after registering “unhealthy” air pollution levels nearly every day, the company said. “Air pollution is a serious problem in Southeast Asia,” said political analyst Bridget Welsh from the University of Nottingham.

Persons: Joko Widodo, IQAir, ”, Sandiaga Uno, Uno, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, ” Budi, Widodo, ” Widodo, Bridget Welsh Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Tourism, Creative, Sandiaga, CNN, CNN Indonesia, Central, IQAir, Skyscrapers, Getty, University of Nottingham, “ Locations: Hong Kong, Jakarta, Swiss, AFP, Greater Jakarta, Central Jakarta, Greater Jakarta Area, Jakarta –, Southeast Asia, Nusantara, East Kalimantan, Borneo

☆ Indonesia plans random emission tests on motorists as poor air chokes Jakarta
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JAKARTA, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia's capital will force drivers to undergo emission tests, officials said on Monday, amid deteriorating air quality that has made Jakarta one of the world's most polluted cities. Jakarta has been consistently ranked among the 10 most polluted cities globally since May and last week topped global rankings compiled by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir. "We will start in Jakarta and when it gets better, we will expand it to greater Jakarta," environment minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar told a press conference. President Widodo also advised companies to impose hybrid working and urged weather modification in Greater Jakarta, saying dry weather was contributing to pollution. "Also, keep monitoring the industrial sector and power plants mainly surrounding Greater Jakarta," he told ministers.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Sandiaga Uno, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Widodo, Ananda Teresia, Martin Petty, Susan Fenton Organizations: Swiss, Jakarta, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Jakarta, Greater Jakarta, Indonesia

CNN —Smoke from more than 1,000 wildfires burning across Canada has wafted over the northern US, bringing poor air quality and pollution that threaten residents’ health to northern US cities including Chicago, Illinois, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The bulk of the country’s wildfires are burning in British Columbia, where more than 460 fires are ongoing, the agency reports. The EPA in Illinois has declared an “Air Pollution Action Day” through Tuesday due to the “persistent” wildfire smoke causing elevated air pollution in the region. Wildfire smoke is packed with tiny pollutants – known as particulate matter – that can infiltrate the lungs and blood stream if inhaled. Hundreds of British Columbia’s fires have been ignited by lightning strikes from thunderstorms, according to the British Columbia Wildfire Service.

Persons: Wednesday – Organizations: CNN, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire, National Weather Service, Wednesday, US Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Canada, British Columbia, Canadian Armed Forces, Public Safety Canada, British Columbia Wildfire Service Locations: Canada, Chicago , Illinois, Minneapolis , Minnesota, Chicago , Minneapolis, Detroit , Michigan, Great, British Columbia, Michigan, Minnesota , Wisconsin , Illinois, Indiana, Montana, Vermont, Alabama, Midwest, Minneapolis, Chicago, Illinois, Wisconsin, Europe, Australia, Brazil, British

☆ Factbox: From Hawaii to Kentucky, a mix of severe weather
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Brendan O'Brien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Adrees LatifJuly 19 (Reuters) - Severe weather disrupted parts of the United States on Wednesday, with a tropical storm skirting Hawaii, thunderstorms knocking out power in Kentucky and Tennessee and a relentless heat wave stubbornly parked over the Southwest. The zone of extreme heat could expand into the northern Plains and Midwest beginning the middle of next week, the weather service said. TROPICAL STORM, POWER OUTAGESIn the Hawaiian Islands, Tropical Storm Calvin lashed the Big Island on Wednesday with strong winds and heavy downpours as it slowly passed south of the Pacific archipelago. Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency, closing all state offices and schools in anticipation of the storm. New York, the most populous city in the United States, was listed on Wednesday morning as No.

Persons: Olivia, Evelyn Black, Adrees Latif, Storm Calvin, Josh Green, Brendan O'Brien, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, National Weather Service, Texas Tribune, Austin, Texas Department, Criminal, Thomson Locations: Fountains, Discovery, Houston , Texas, U.S, United States, Hawaii, Kentucky, Tennessee, Canada, Southern California, San Bernardino , California, Phoenix, San Antonio , Texas, Midwest, TEXAS, Texas, Austin, Hawaiian, Virginia, Carolinas, East Coast, New York, Chicago

☆ Half of Americans face stifling heat, poor air quality
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Brendan O'Brien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Go NakamuraCHICAGO, June 30 (Reuters) - Half of the U.S. population was urged on Friday to take precautions when they are outdoors, either due to a relentless heat wave or poor air quality caused by Canadian wildfires ahead of the long Fourth of July weekend. To the north, across the Midwest and East, another 100 million Americans faced another day of smoky skies and poor air quality alerts due to raging wildfires in Canada. The weather service said individuals, especially those who are young, elderly and suffer from respiratory problems, should consider limiting strenuous outdoor activities in those areas. New York and Washington had the second and third worst air quality respectively of any major cities around the globe, according to IQAir.com, which tracks global air pollution. Some people in eastern Illinois and western Indiana faced a hot and humid day of compromised air quality on Friday without electricity after fierce storms on Thursday evening knocked down power lines and trees.

Persons: Marc Newman, Go Nakamura CHICAGO, Brendan O'Brien, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, National Weather Service, Midwest, Thomson Locations: Houston , Texas, U.S, California, Mississippi, East, Canada, New York, Washington, Illinois, Indiana, Chicago

☆ Four North American cities now near worst air quality in the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Four of the five cities with the worst air quality in the world are in North America, including New York, a grim distinction fueled by devastating forest fires across Canada that have sent smoky air across the continent, according to data tracked by IQAir. New York City now has the second-worst air quality in the world with a recorded air quality index of 162, lagging only Jakarta. Anything above an AQI of 150 is considered "unhealthy" air. There, air quality is slightly better than the other three North American cities on the list, with an AQI of 122. Kathy Hochul warned citizens that potentially dangerous air quality reflected a grim distinction for state residents.

Persons: Kathy Hochul, Hochul, Cat Clifford Organizations: Trade Center, IQAir, Montreal, D.C, Canadian, New York Gov Locations: Manhattan, New York City, Jersey City , New Jersey, North America, New York, Canada, IQAir . New York City, Jakarta, Toronto, Washington

☆ More than 100 million Americans at risk as Canadian wildfire smoke spreads
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Brendan O'Brien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

More than 100 million Americans were urged to limit prolonged outdoor activities, and, if needed, wear a mask if they suffer from pulmonary or respiratory diseases. People living in major U.S. cities such as New York, Chicago and Philadelphia may see murky skies and smell burning wood throughout the day. "The air quality in Chicago has been dreadful, giving me brutal migraines. The air-quality alerts were triggered by drifting smoke from wildfires burning in Canada, which is wrestling with its worst-ever start to wildfire season. An area of 8 million hectares (19.8 million acres), bigger than West Virginia, has already burned.

Persons: Quinn Glabicki CHICAGO, Eric Adams, Brendan O'Brien, Alison Williams, Mark Porter Organizations: U.S ., REUTERS, Midwest, National Weather Service, York City, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Mount Washington, U.S . Midwest, East, Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania, U.S, United States, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, New York, East Coast, Chicago, Philadelphia, York, Canada, West Virginia, Pacific, Atlantic, Midwest, South

☆ What to Know About Canadian Wildfires and U.S. Air Quality
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Dan Bilefsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

How has the smoke affected air quality in the American Midwest? On Tuesday, Canada’s wildfires were worsening air quality in Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee, among other places. In Chicago, the Air Quality Index reached 209 by noon on Tuesday, the worst reading of any major city in the world for the day, according to IQAir, a Swiss air-quality technology company. In Green Bay, Wis., the index was 175; in Grand Rapids, Mich., it soared to 255. Any reading above 100 on the index is a warning to people with respiratory conditions to take precautions.

Organizations: NASA Locations: Canada, Quebec, American, Europe, Coast, United States, New York City, Washington, Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Swiss, Green Bay, Wis, Grand Rapids, Mich

How has the smoke affected air quality in the American Midwest? Image Chicago on Tuesday, where the Air Quality Index reached “very unhealthy” levels. Canada wildfires Burned Hotspots Source: Canadian Wildland Fire Information SystemHow far has Canadian wildfire smoke spread? In Canada, Environment Canada warned Tuesday that air quality would deteriorate overnight in Toronto, Canada’s largest city and financial capital. Poor air quality has also buffeted Montreal, where the sun has appeared in recent days as a lurid red dot.

Persons: Kamil Krzaczynski, Judson Jones Organizations: NASA, Agence France, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, Environment Locations: Canada, Quebec, American, Europe, Coast, United States, New York City, Washington, Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Swiss, Green Bay, Wis, Grand Rapids, Mich, East, ., Portugal, Spain, France, Toronto, Canada’s, Montreal, Mont Tremblant, Ontario, New York

☆ Relentless heat wave scorches US South, air quality deteriorates over Midwest
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Brendan O'Brien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Meanwhile, in Chicago, children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases were being cautioned to stay indoors for a wholly different reason: polluted air. "It is essential to have a way to cool down and interrupt your heat exposure." The stationary high pressure system across the South that is trapping the heat and humidity, known as a heat dome, has been lingering for the last few weeks, causing the sweltering weather. The heat wave claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy who was hiking in the Big Bend National Park in Texas on Friday when the temperature reached 119 degrees. Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Callaghan, LaToya Cantrell, Brendan O'Brien, Chizu Nomiyama, Mark Porter Organizations: U.S, National Weather Service, NWS, REUTERS, New, Big, Thomson Locations: Chicago, Arizona, Texas, Florida's, Dallas, New Orleans, Mobile , Alabama, Houston , Texas, U.S, Canada, United States, Arkansas , Tennessee, Oklahoma

☆ Smoky Air From Canadian Wildfires Blankets Midwestern Skies
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Julie Bosman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Chicago and much of the Upper Midwest were blanketed with a smoky haze from Canadian wildfires on Tuesday, leaving many residents of the nation’s third-largest city startled by the sudden decline in air quality and donning masks when they ventured outside. Chicagoans were largely spared severe effects from wildfires earlier this month, when dangerous smoke affected the Northeast and pockets of the Midwest for days on end. But they had no reprieve on Tuesday, when the authorities classified the air as unhealthy in the city and in other parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota. In Chicago, the Air Quality Index reached 209 by noon, the worst reading of any major city in the world for the day, according to IQAir, a Swiss air-quality technology company. Any reading above 100 on the index is a warning to people with respiratory conditions to take precautions.

Locations: Midwest, Chicagoans, Illinois , Wisconsin , Indiana , Michigan, Minnesota, Chicago, Swiss, Green Bay, Wis, Grand Rapids, Mich

CNN —Over 80 million people from the Midwest to the East Coast are under air quality alerts as smoke from the Canadian wildfires sweep across the US border Tuesday, prompting beach closures, warnings about reduced visibility and calls to stay indoors. Chicago and Detroit had the worst air quality in the world Tuesday night. Detroit’s air at one point reached a “very unhealthy”Air Quality Index of 203, before dropping below 200 to the “unhealthy” level, according to IQAir. Chicago registered an Air Quality Index of 175 late Tuesday. “The most protective option when air is unhealthy for you is to stay indoors with air conditioning, reduce strenuous activities and limit outdoor activities.

Persons: Copernicus, –, “, Kathy Hochul Organizations: CNN, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, National Weather Service, . Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, Facebook, Drivers, Mackinac Bridge Authority, Michigan Department of Health, Human Services, Indianapolis, ., New, ”, New York State, Coordinating Agency, Centers for Disease Control Locations: Midwest, East, Canada, Iowa , Wisconsin , Illinois , Indiana , Michigan, Delaware, Maryland, Kansas , Missouri, Minnesota , Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Chicago, Detroit, IQAir, Evanston , Illinois, Michigan, Mackinac, . New York, New York City, New, ” In Ohio, NY, Cleveland, Ohio

☆ New York is choking on smog. But for these cities, it’s just another day
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —For days, images of New York choking in smoke have stunned the United States, as residents struggle to deal with the unfamiliar challenge of severe air pollution. That means its people are exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, a widely used indicator of harmful air pollution. It culminated in the infamous 2013 “air-pocalypse,” when the air quality index hit 755, smashing what was supposed to be the top of the scale at 500, according to the US Embassy in Beijing that kept a daily air quality monitor. In 2021, Beijing recorded its best monthly air quality since records began in 2013; photos now show mostly blue skies in the city. It’s an encouraging sign, and evidence that the right policies and investment can help fix air quality.

Persons: smothers, Andrew Kelly, Sanchit Khanna, Chiang Mai, Nicolas Asfouri, Justin Trudeau, Joe Biden, ”, Lucky Tran Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Rockefeller Center, Reuters, Hindustan Times, Embassy, Canadian, United Nations, East Coasters Locations: Hong Kong, York, United States, Canada, Coast, West Coast, California, Asia, New York, India, New Delhi, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Beijing, AFP, –, China, It’s, South Carolina, Quebec, Yorkers

☆ Air quality alert apps see spike in usage as Canada wildfires burn
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Lora Kolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Some apps run on data crowdsourced from relatively affordable air quality sensors sold by companies such as PurpleAir and IQAir. Air quality apps and mapsOutdoor air quality-monitoring apps like AirNow, AirCare and AirVisual have been among the nation's most used apps in past years when wildfires raged in Oregon and California. Like most air pollution trackers, it uses a color-coded visual system to indicate whether air pollution levels are good to hazardous, or whether there is not enough data to issue a rating. These include a Fire and Smoke Map, which provides information on fire locations, smoke plumes and air quality, and the AirNow Interactive Map shows ozone and particulate matter from air quality monitors across the country. Indoor air matters, tooWhile outdoor air quality is important, society doesn't talk or do enough about indoor air quality, said Richard Corsi, University of California, Davis' incoming dean of the college of engineering, currently a professor and dean at Portland State University.

Persons: AirNow, Yanelli Nunez, Anna Kioumourtzoglou, Nunez, Richard Corsi, Davis, Corsi Organizations: CNBC, U.S . Environmental Protection Agency, ZIP, Apple Watch, Huawei, Columbia University's Mailman, of Public Health, University of California, Portland State University Locations: North America, Europe, Quebec, Ontario, U.S, New York City, Oregon, California, Mexico, Canada, Macedonia, Australia, Swiss, Greater Los Angeles

☆ Smoky haze parked over U.S. East Coast with relief days away
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Tyler Clifford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. National Weather Service extended air quality alerts for another day for the East Coast from New England to South Carolina, as well as parts of the Midwest, including Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. The U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI) measures five major pollutants, including particulate matter produced by fires. While the faint smell of burning wood lingered, the smothering blanket of yellow and orange-tinged haze appeared to thin out, bringing a modicum of relief. "We urge residents and visitors to follow precautions related to the 'Code Purple' air quality alert." Large swaths of Michigan are also under red flag warnings due to dangerous fire weather conditions in both of the state's peninsulas, according to the weather agency.

Persons: Mike Segar, Peter Mullinax, We're, Mullinax, IQAir, Muriel Bowser, Bill Blair, Tyler Clifford, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Trade Center, REUTERS, The U.S, National Weather Service, Health, U.S . Air, Belmont, Washington, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, New York City, Jersey City , New Jersey, United States, The, East Coast from New England, South Carolina, Ohio , Indiana, Michigan, New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Ohio, Newark , New Jersey, U.S, Dhaka, Hanoi, Swiss, Maryland , Pennsylvania, Delaware, Baltimore, Canada

☆ New York City residents urged to stay indoors as unhealthy air quality from Canadian wildfires persists
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Aya Elamroussi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York City public schools canceled all outdoor activities Wednesday, but will remain open. At least 10 school districts in central New York state canceled outdoor activities and events Tuesday. By 7 a.m. Wednesday, New York City’s air quality index was just below 180, a designation of “unhealthy,” according to IQair. New York City tallied to the worst air quality of any major metropolitan area Tuesday at 10 p.m., IQair’s data showed. Cities including New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, are expected to see their air quality improve throughout the day.

Persons: Eric Adams, IQair, ”, William Barrett Organizations: CNN, New, Carolinas, National Weather Service, New York, . New York City, Doha, Air, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire, World Health Organization, American Lung Association Locations: Canada, New York, New York City, Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Wednesday, . New, New Delhi, India, Qatar, Baghdad, Iraq, Lahore, Pakistan, Quebec, South Carolina, Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh, Raleigh , North Carolina

☆ US schools cancel recess, skylines vanish behind Canada wildfire smoke
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Tyler Clifford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. National Weather Service issued quality air alerts from New England to South Carolina. In Bethesda, Maryland, a high school moved its graduation ceremony indoors, while a Brooklyn, New York, elementary school postponed its "Spring Fling" dance party. The smoke is crossing the U.S. northern border from Canada, where wildfire season got off to an unusually early and intense start due to persistent warm and dry conditions. Rochester, New York, near the Canadian border, had the worst air quality in the country, according to IQAir, while six towns along Maryland's Eastern Shore and Delaware were ranked in the bottom 10 for air quality. "This is an unprecedented event in our city and New Yorkers must take precaution," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.

Persons: Eric Adams, Tyler Clifford, Denny Thomas, Ken Li, Nancy Lapid, Joseph Ax, Mark Porter, David Gregorio Our Organizations: YORK, U.S, National Weather Service, D.C, Twitter, East Coast, York City, Thomson Locations: Vermont, South Carolina, East, Ohio, Kansas, Midwest, New England, Washington, Bethesda , Maryland, Brooklyn , New York, Montclair , New Jersey, New York, Canada, York, Delhi, Rochester , New York, Shore, Delaware, Manhattan, New, Toronto, Canada's, Quebec

☆ Northeast flights delayed as Canada wildfire smoke cuts visibility
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Smoke from wildfires in Canada delayed flights at New York-area airports and in Philadelphia on Wednesday as haze blanketed the region and cut visibility. Smoke drifting south from wildfires in Canada covered the New York City area on Tuesday into Wednesday, tainting air quality and sending residents indoors. As of noon Wednesday, the city ranked fourth in the world for worst air quality, with an IQAir World Air Quality Index of 158, a level considered unhealthy for all residents. As of mid-afternoon, 115 flights scheduled to fly to Newark, or around 18% of the day's total, were delayed, according to FlightAware. Flights to LaGuardia were delayed an average of about 120 minutes, and flights to Newark were delayed an average of 82 minutes, according to the FAA.

Persons: John F, —, Emma Newburger Organizations: FAA, Philadelphia International, New York's LaGuardia, New, LaGuardia, Kennedy International, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, CNBC, American Airlines Locations: Canada, New York, Philadelphia, East Coast, Midwest, New York City, U.S, Newark, LaGuardia

Search resuls for: "IQair"

25 mentions found