Black and brown neighborhoods have been disproportionately affected by the poor air quality that recently invaded New York City.
The extreme smoke pushed into the city from Canada, which was battling harsh wildfires. The thick air lingered over the area, forcing many inside. Hazardous air last week forced outdoor events to be postponed. Others had to make a trip to the emergency room. According to data collected by Gothamist, Black and Hispanic communities had the highest asthma-related ER visits last week, as the air quality reached dangerous levels.
Gothamist and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found that neighborhoods in northern Manhattan, the Bronx, central Brooklyn, and the Rockaways suffered the worst. Between last Tuesday and Saturday, which had the worst reported air conditions, there were over 1,000 ER trips. Tuesday and Wednesday were the busiest days for hospital staff with an influx of air quality complications-related patients. Of those, 70% were residents of predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. A staggering 60% were residents living in low-poverty areas.
According to research, those who live in locations with high poverty rates and people of color are more likely to die from air pollution. The Bronx is particularly vulnerable due to the low-income rates and lack of proper environmental care.
Though experts did see some improvements in the air quality, it was reportedly slightly worse on Sunday as smoke returned to the air from Canada. The Air Quality Index reached 110 late Sunday. The air quality index was in the low 70s as of Monday morning.
