New York records world's worst air pollution due to wildfires in Canada

  • The Statue of Liberty is hardly seen because of the thick smoke caused by wildfires in Canada. Getty

  • Pollution levels have reached unprecedented levels in Manhattan, New York. Getty

  • The horizon appears blurry in the sky of Toronto, Canada, due to fires. Reuters

  • Smoke covers the World Trade Center in Manhattan from Canada's fires. Reuters

  • Passers-by cover their faces with masks due to the stifling atmosphere due to smoke in New York. AFP

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According to the website of IQ Air, which specializes in air pollution and quality monitoring technology, New York was the most polluted city in the world on Tuesday evening, while smoke from Canadian bushfires blanketed the city in fog.

The Swiss company added that air pollution levels in the city were considered in the "unhealthy" range, and were higher than those in the Indian capital New Delhi and the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

According to Bloomberg News, other cities in North America have been affected by the smoke of unprecedented wildfires, including Detroit.

New York Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement on Monday that air quality health advice had been issued for all five suburbs, and forecasts indicated that weather conditions could improve, and then return to bad conditions later.

The U.S. Air Quality Index for New York reached 222 on its zero-to-500 scale at the morning in the morning, putting air in the category of "completely unhealthy."

Canada is on track for its worst bushfire season ever if the rate of burning continues at the same pace. Government officials say about 3.3 million hectares have been burned so far. There are about 413 fires currently burning.

Other cities in North America have been hit by the smoke of unprecedented wildfires, including Detroit.