New York area air quality concerns ahead of World Cup final
Concerns have been raised regarding air quality in the New York area, potentially impacting the upcoming World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium. Wildfires in Canada have led to smoke spreading across multiple major cities in the United States, affecting air quality.
The final is scheduled for Sunday, with kick-off at 3pm ET. While conditions reportedly improved on Friday, and FIFA has communicated a better outlook for Sunday, the situation remains a topic of discussion.
Air Quality and Potential Impact
Polluted air from wildfires in northern Ontario, Canada, has moved southward across the Northeast U.S. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) reported 897 active fires on Friday, with many labelled as out of control. A heat dome has contributed to high temperatures in Ontario and the U.S. Northeast, trapping smoke close to the ground and resulting in hazy conditions.
New York City was among the most affected regions as of Friday, with its air quality index (A.Q.I.) reading reaching 188. An A.Q.I. of 150 or higher is considered “unhealthy” for most individuals. Skies in the city have appeared orange, with a noticeable smell of smoke. The A.Q.I. reading in East Rutherford, where MetLife Stadium is located, was slightly lower at 158 on Friday morning, also falling into the “unhealthy” category.
Professor James Hull, a consultant respiratory physician, indicated that an A.Q.I. reading above 100 presents an increased risk, suggesting that football teams should modify air exposure during training, limiting sessions to no more than 90 minutes. Above 150, he would consider it dangerous and advise modifying training.
New York City officials had previously warned about the uncertainty of ground-level impacts and advised caution for those sensitive to polluted air. Officials in various cities and states have recommended staying indoors.
The smoke can cause irritative effects for athletes, including throat irritation, feelings of suffocation, and coughing. It can also lead to broncho-constriction, causing breathlessness and chest tightness, which may affect performance. The impact is variable, with those having asthma or other airway diseases being more susceptible.
Training and Preparations
Spain trained outdoors in East Hanover, New Jersey, despite calls from some experts to train indoors due to the smoke. Midfielder Mikel Merino acknowledged seeing and smelling the smoke but stated his focus was on the game. He noted that the team was being careful with details thanks to the federation and organisers.
Spain arrived at Newark Airport on Wednesday evening and trained at the New York Red Bulls’ Melanie Lane training grounds. Argentina trained in Marietta, Georgia, before travelling to New York on Thursday afternoon.
Other sporting events have already been affected by poor air quality. A Major League Soccer game between Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps was postponed in Chicago. An MLB game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies was moved forward an hour due to similar concerns. A NWSL game in New York between Gotham FC and Washington Spirit was played amid worsening conditions, with hydration breaks occurring every 15 minutes.
Weather Outlook and Uncertainty
An expected change in weather over the weekend, including forecast rain, is projected to help improve air quality for the final. However, predicting the exact effectiveness of the rain in clearing the smoke remains difficult.
On Friday, hazy skies were still expected, with a high temperature near 90F (32C). Rain and thundershowers are likely on Saturday, with cooler temperatures around 84F (29C). Rain showers are expected to linger into early Sunday morning, tapering off with clearing skies in the afternoon. For the 3pm ET match start, the temperature is forecast to be near 85F (29C).
Despite the forecast for improvement, Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, noted that another smoky air mass could follow the rain system, though its impact on New York or New Jersey by Sunday is not yet clear. He also mentioned the possibility of more smoke entering the atmosphere if fire intensity increases through Saturday.
The World Health Organization forecast calls for an improvement to “moderate” air quality in East Rutherford. More than 800 wildfires are currently burning across Canada.
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Source: nytimes.com
As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”
