NYC air quality alert: How can wildfire smoke affect your health?

Published

2 years ago

June 8, 2023

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Wildfire haze health effects

Local hospitals say they’re ready to handle any potential surge in cases of people with breathing problems due to the hazardous air caused by smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

NEW YORK – Headaches, burning eyes, and asthma attacks are just some of the health problems that can be caused by exposure to New York City's air quality on Wednesday.

When we talk about air quality, we often talk about PM2.5. That’s particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller – small enough that it can travel deep into the lungs.

Exposure to PM2.5 from smoke or other air pollution, such as vehicle emissions, can exacerbate health conditions like asthma and reduce lung function in ways that can worsen existing respiratory problems and even heart disease.

"What's in the air is the product of burning forests, basically burning trees and there are very tiny particles that penetrate deeply in the lung and that's why people are getting so sick from it," said Dr. Ian Newmark, Chief of Pulmonology with Syosset Hospital Northwell Health on Long Island. NYC enveloped by wildfire smoke

New York City was enveloped by wildfire smoke on Wednesday, covering the city in an unhealthy haze. The city’s streets took on an eerie quality, as people went about their day.

Mount Sinai Hospital says it has seen an uptick in the number of people coming into its emergency rooms with health-related issues connected to the smoky air.

"Yesterday wasn't quite so pronounced, even this morning wasn't that much different than the usual business," said Dr. Matthew Bai, an emergency room physician at Mt. Sinai Queens. "But later this afternoon, as the air quality worsened, we have started to see a little more respiratory complaints like asthma, shortness of breath."

RELATED: New Yorkers trying to deal with smoky air conditions

Thankfully, thus far Bai said none of the people who had gone to the hospital had life-threatening problems.

The FDNY also said Wednesday that it has not seen an increase in the number of people calling 9-1-1 for health issues, but that it has seen a major increase in 9-1-1 calls from people thinking their building is on fire.

Here's how you can protect your health from the smoky haze. STAY INDOORS

The small particles in wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and can affect the heart and lungs, making it harder to breathe. It’s important to limit outdoor activities as much as possible to avoid breathing in these particles, health agencies say. You should especially avoid strenuous activities like going for a run, since heavy breathing will increase the amount of smoke you inhale. And bring pets inside too: Animals are also affected by smoky conditions. KEEP INSIDE AIR CLEAN

When inside, keep doors, windows and fireplaces shut so that smoke stays out. If you have a portable air purifier or HVAC system, run it to help keep the air clean, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends. Check that your filters are high quality and up to date. Make sure any filters or air conditioners are set to recirculate indoor air to avoid bringing in smoke from outside. If you have a window air conditioner, check that it's sealed to the window as tightly as possible. And try to avoid activities that would add more particles to the air in your home — like smoking, burning candles or frying meat. WEAR A MASK

If you go outside in smoky conditions, consider wearing a mask, like an N95, to protect your lungs. The mask should fit over your nose and under your chin, and seal tightly to your face to keep out the smoky air. KNOW YOUR RISK

Some groups should be extra careful as they face higher risks from wildfire smoke. Children and older adults are especially sensitive to smoky conditions. Those with health conditions affecting the lungs or heart — like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — face higher risks from poor air quality, along with those who are pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People in these groups should take extra precautions and monitor for symptoms like coughing, trouble breathing or fatigue.

Written with material from The Associated Press.

Business

Honeymoon couple unable to access their money online as Barclays suffers major IT glitch

Published

2 hours ago

February 1, 2025

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Honeymoon couple unable to access their money online as Barclays suffers major IT glitch

A newlywed couple say they have been locked out of their bank accounts while on their honeymoon as Barclays suffered a major IT glitch.

Read latest on Barclays glitch:
Bank tells customers to contact family or foodbanks

People were unable to access money overnight after the issue struck on what was payday for many British workers.

Hundreds of customers reportedly claim they are experiencing interrupted services and missing funds, with some alleging they have had no access to their cash for nearly 24 hours.

David Marsh and his wife, from Cumbria, told Sky News they’ve been experiencing problems accessing their money while on holiday in Australia to celebrate their marriage.

“I’m unable to receive money for my honeymoon into my current account or use my current account to clear my credit card before departing,” he said.

“My message to Barclays is: I’ve been a current account holder with Barclays since 1986. The day I return to the UK, I will be moving my current account to another provider and leaving them.”

What has Barclays said?

Barclays has apologised to customers, saying the company is facing ongoing technical issues.

It warned that some people may see an outdated balance, and payments made or received may not show.

“We will ensure that no customer is left out of pocket,” the bank said in a statement on Saturday.

Mum ‘unable to buy milk’

A mother claimed she was unable to buy milk for her baby due to the IT glitch.

“My four-month-old is out of milk powder and screaming for a feed and I still haven’t been paid,” she said.

She added: “I’ve been in tears for hours.”

‘Money never arrived in my account’

Karen Bannister, 52, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, told Sky News: “I had transferred all my money into Barclays to cover paying for gas, electric, rent, petrol, food etc. The money never arrived in my Barclays account.

She added: “My card got declined at the supermarket which was completely embarrassing and by 9pm I was without heating because my gas had run out.”

“Yesterday was awful. Barclays need to pay compensation to those affected. People were without salary and some couldn’t pay their tax before the deadline.

“Following this, I’m leaving Barclays – and I’ve been a customer for 40 years.”

Frustrated customers have also been reaching out to Barclays support via social media.

“Due to you Barclays I’m left without money had a food shop due for delivery this morning which now will get cancelled, leave my four kids with no food it’s a joke as (it is) my money,” one X user claimed.

Another added: “How can I eat and keep warm if I can’t get to my funds?”

A third person claimed: “Well I’ve just had to put all my shopping back in Tesco never been so embarrassed in my life .. as can’t access my own money.”

The Down Detector tracker has shown more than 1,600 reports of outages for Barclays banking services since Friday.

In its statement on Saturday, Barclays said: “We’re incredibly sorry for the ongoing technical issues that are impacting our customers’ accounts.

“Some may see an outdated balance, and payments made or received may not show.

“We’re working hard to fix this issue, and customers should not try to make the payment again.”

Politics

Wall Street is betting on $30T RWA tokenization market prospects

Published

2 hours ago

February 1, 2025

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Wall Street is betting on T RWA tokenization market prospects

Wall Street giants are betting on the projected $30 trillion RWA tokenization market as the industry sees explosive growth and widespread adoption across TradFi institutions.

US

Trump says US airstrikes have ‘killed many’ ISIS terrorists

Published

2 hours ago

February 1, 2025

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Trump says US airstrikes have 'killed many' ISIS terrorists

Donald Trump has said “many” ISIS terrorists have been killed in caves by US airstrikes he ordered this morning.

Posting on his social media site Truth Social, the US president said: “This morning I ordered precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia.

“These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies.

“The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians.”

Mr Trump did not name any of the people targeted in the strikes or give further details about the location.

He said the US military had targeted the attack planner for years, but former president Joe Biden “and his cronies wouldn’t act quickly enough to get the job done”.

“I did! The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that “WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!”

US special forces killed a senior ISIS leader and 10 other militants in a raid on a mountain cave complex in a remote part of northern Somalia in 2023, in an operation ordered by Mr Biden.

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