Albany County, NY
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Air Quality
Visit airnow.gov for current AQI conditions
The Environmental Protection Agency developed the Air Quality Index (AQI) to help the public understand levels of air pollution and the related concerns:
| Color | AQI | Concern | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 0‑50 | Good | Air quality is satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk. | |
| Yellow |
51‑100 | Moderate | Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. | |
| Orange | 101‑150 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. |
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. |
|
| Red | 151‑200 | Unhealthy | Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. | |
| Purple | 201‑300 | Very Unhealthy. | Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. | |
| Maroon | 301‑500 | Hazardous | Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. | |
You can learn more about AQI at airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/
During periods of poor outdoor air quality, protect yourself, the people who depend on you and your pets
Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning vegetation, building materials, and other materials. Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick. Even someone who is healthy can get sick if there is enough smoke in the air.
Breathing in smoke can have immediate health effects, including:
- coughing
- trouble breathing normally
- stinging eyes
- a scratchy throat
- runny nose
- irritated sinuses
- wheezing and shortness of breath
- chest pain
- headaches
- an asthma attack
- tiredness
- fast heartbeat
Older adults, pregnant women, children, and people with preexisting respiratory and heart conditions may be more likely to get sick if they breathe in wildfire smoke.
During wildfire season, dangerous smoke can spread through the atmosphere and cause unhealthy air quality conditions for areas far from the fires.
If the local air quality index (AQI) rises above 150, following these guidelines can help protect your health and the health of those around you:
- Everyone should avoid strenuous outdoor activities;
- Stay indoors as much as possible, especially these groups of people:
- children under 18
- adults 65 and older
- anyone with cardiovascular disease (e.g., congestive heart failure; history of heart attack)
- anyone with lung disease (e.g., asthma; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- anyone who is pregnant
- Employers should allow vulnerable employees to work indoors
- Employers should encourage working from home when possible, if travel to the office would increase exposure to poor air quality.
As these conditions persist, and in the days that follow, any New Yorker who experiences symptoms or have symptoms that worsen, especially those indicative of heart disease or a heart condition, should consult their personal physician or seek immediate medical help. If experiencing symptoms of respiratory irritation while outside, like coughing, first go inside to find cleaner air.