00:00Hazardous air quality levels are overwhelming parts of the eastern U.S.
00:04after smoke from Canadian wildfires has made its way across the border all week long.
00:09The foggy orange skies caused alarm everywhere from Boston to New York City,
00:13with NBC noting that about 90 million people in the U.S. were impacted by the smoke.
00:19Many are wondering when it will be safe to spend long durations outside,
00:23so here is how experts say you can use the Air Quality Index Scale, or AQI, to understand your risk.
00:30Insider notes that the AQI scale spans from the numbers 0 to 500.
00:35A higher AQI value signifies a higher level of air pollution and a greater health risk.
00:41According to AirNow, an air quality index at 50 or lower signifies satisfactory air.
00:47101 through 150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, and anything above 300 is considered hazardous.
00:55According to the New York Times, AQI values of over 400 were recorded in New York City this week.
01:02Experts suggest wearing an N95 mask to protect yourself if you must be outdoors.
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