In the first week of June, New York City had the dubious distinction of having the worst air quality in the world. Driven by prevailing air currents, smoke from hundreds of Quebec forest fires transformed the New York Metropolitan Area into an orange haze-filled scene from a dystopian science fiction movie.  Last Tuesday, the air quality index for New York topped 200, a level the Environmental Protection Agency calls “very unhealthy.”  Outdoor events, including major league baseball games at Yankee Stadium, were cancelled and residents were advised to stay indoors.  While cities on the west coast have had smoke advisories for decades now, they are new to residents in the moister eastern half of the continent. Vijay Limaye is a Senior Scientist and Director of the Science and Society, program of the Natural Resources Defense Council, and he joins us now in the studio.

Image Courtesy: BlenderTimer for Pixabay, recolored

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