Air Quality Action Days are days when the Air Quality Index (AQI) gets into the unhealthy ranges.

On these days, air quality may be unhealthy for people who are sensitive to air pollution, including:

• People with heart and lung problems
• Older adults
• Children
• Immunocompromised people
• Pregnant people

You can learn more about Air Quality Action Days and air pollution and find out the current AQI in your area. You can also sign up for daily alerts so you know when air quality may be unhealthy.

Online

Get the air quality forecast.

Sign up for Air Quality Alerts.

At an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 101-150, New Yorkers who are most sensitive to low air quality should follow management plans for their medical conditions.

You should also take these precautions when outdoors.

• Limit time outdoors and/or take frequent breaks from the outdoors
• Avoid intense (strenuous) and prolonged (more than one hour) activities (children with asthma are especially sensitive)
• Be alert for any symptoms
• Monitor conditions
• Wear a high-quality mask like an N95 to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants when air quality is poor

When the AQI goes over 150, all New Yorkers should take those same precautions.

On Air Quality Action Days, it is also recommended that you:

• Stay indoors and do not exert yourself unnecessarily
• Limit driving; share a ride, use public transit, or work from home
• Close the fresh air intake to prevent outdoor air from entering your home when using an air conditioner
• Don't mow your lawn
• Keep your indoor air clean by delaying some activities, such as:
  • Painting and spraying aerosol products, which add harmful vapors to indoor and outdoor air
  • Frying or broiling foods
  • Vacuuming
  • Burning candles and incense
  • Using a fireplace
  • Smoking tobacco products

Get outdoor air quality health recommendations based on AQI.

Get outdoor air quality health recommendations based on AQI for child care, school, and camps.

You can find out how to protect yourself from smoke, dust and other debris resulting from a neighborhood fire.

Online

Learn more about air quality after a fire.

By Phone

You can learn how to help make New York City's air healthier and reduce pollution with the Clean Air NY program.

Online

Learn how you can reduce air pollution.

By Phone

The Health Department and Queens College (CUNY) conduct the New York City Community Air Survey (NYCCAS). The survey evaluates how air quality differs across the City.

Since 2008, NYCCAS has studied how pollutants from traffic, buildings (boilers and furnaces), and other sources impact air quality in different neighborhoods. It uses air survey monitoring devices to collect data.

The air quality monitors:

• Are located 10 to 12 feet off the ground on street light, signal, and other utility poles
• Are shaped like a box and measure 2 feet by 1 foot
• Have tubes sticking out
• Have an NYC Health sticker attached

You can report damage to a monitoring device or get more information about the survey.

Complaints about air quality and requests for air testing are not accepted.

Online

Learn more about the NYC Community Air Survey.

By Phone