New Jersey smashed records for air pollution on Wednesday, as smoke from uncontrolled wildfires in Canada sent the air quality index in some towns past the limits of the scale.
Hillsborough saw the worst air quality in New Jersey so far, recording an air quality index of 555 around 6 p.m. Wednesday, according to data from fire.airnow.gov, which is run by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Nearby Princeton was not far off, with an AQI of 542 around 6 p.m.
The smoke hit peak awfulness statewide around 1 a.m. Thursday, when six of the state’s nine regional reporting areas saw indexes reach hazardous levels, according to hourly data published by the EPA.
Smoke hit the upper half of the state earlier, with peak readings coming Wednesday afternoon, before making its way southward, where readings peaked overnight.
The AQI measures the amount of pollution in the air, including different types of gases and particulate matter. It ranges from 0-500, with 0 being perfectly clean air and 500 meaning everyone should stay inside with windows and doors shut. Readings can sometimes exceed the 500 limit when pollution is exceptionally bad, but recommendations do not change for any readings above 300, or “hazardous.”
Although conditions were better on Thursday morning, air quality remained poor around the state.
An air quality alert was issued by the weather service, advising residents to stay inside and wear N95 or KN95 masks when they do venture out. A number of schools closed for the day or called for early dismissals onThursday, while several others said they would hold gym and recess indoors.
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Much like Wednesday, the smoke is expected to get worse Thursday afternoon before improving overnight, forecasters say. Anticipated thunderstorms Thursday night won’t help clear the air much.
Breathing in smoke and particulates from wildfires can cause headaches, chest pains and irritate the eyes and respiratory system, with impacts worse on sensitive groups, like those with breathing conditions or older people.
Pets, particularly very young or older animals or brachycephalic dog breeds, like pugs and bulldogs, should also be cautious and limit time outside.
These are the highest reported AQIs between Thursday at midnight and today 8 at 8 a.m., according to the EPA. Readings were not taken in every New Jersey town, and no readings were taken in Sussex County.
Atlantic
- Absecon: 301 (June 8 at 1 a.m.)
- Brigantine: 419 (June 8 at 2 a.m.)
- Mays Landing: 210 (June 8 at 2 a.m.)
Bergen
- Allendale: 349 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
- Glen Rock: 347 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
- Westwood: 342 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
- Wyckoff: 311 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
Burlington
- Hainesport: 424 (June 7 at 11 p.m.)
- Marlton: 459 (June 8 at 12 a.m.)
Camden
- Camden: 454 (June 7 at 11 p.m.)
Cape May
- Wildwood: 325 (June 8 at 7 a.m.)
- Stone Harbor: 358 (June 8 at 7a.m.)
Cumberland
- Millville: 295 (June 8 at 4 a.m.)
Essex
- Newark: 405 (June 8 at 3 p.m.) (Highest read from the five Newark stations)
- Millburn: 394 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
- West Orange: 391 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
- Montclair: 356 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
Gloucester
- Mullica Hill: 445 (June 8 at 5 a.m.)
Hunterdon
- Lebanon: 435 (June 7 at 4 p.m.)
- Lambertville: 476 (June 7 at 6 p.m.)
- Flemington: 364 (June 7 at 8 p.m.)
Hudson
- Jersey City: 457 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
- Union City: 246 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
- Hoboken: 343 (June 7 at 4 p.m.)
Mercer
- Princeton: 542 (June 7 at 6 p.m.)
- Lawrence Township: 525 (June 7 at 7 p.m.)
- Trenton: 497 (June 7 at 7 p.m.)
- Pennington: 412 (June 7 at 7 p.m.)
- Pennington: 412 (June 7 at 7 p.m.)
Middlesex
- Piscataway: 495 (June 7 at 5 p.m.)
- East Brunswick: 355 (June 7 at 7 p.m.)
Monmouth
- Howell: 465 (June 7 at 8 p.m.)
- Monmouth Beach: 500 (June 7 at 6 p.m.)
- Matawan: 455 (June 7 at 6 p.m.)
- Shrewsbury: 451 (June 7 at 6 p.m.)
Morris
- Morris Plains: 396 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
- Morristown: 286 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
Ocean
- Toms River: 368 (June 7 at 9 p.m.)
- Beach Haven: 164 (June 7 at 10 p.m.)
Passaic
- Paterson: 246 (June 7 at 3 p.m.)
Salem
- City of Salem: 392 (June 8 at 3 a.m.)
Somerset
- Raritan: 456 (June 7 at 5 p.m.)
- Hillsborough: 555 (June 7 at 6 p.m.)
Sussex
No readings were available for Sussex County
Union
- Elizabethport: 476 (June 7 at 4 p.m.)
- Rahway: 332 (June 7 at 5 p.m.)
- Elizabeth: 288 (June 7 at 5 p.m.)
Warren
- Columbia: 266 (June 7 at 4 p.m.)
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Katie Kausch may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch.
Amira Sweilem may be reached at [email protected].