'It was not fun': How outdoor workers and others braved the smoke in North Jersey

The Canadian wildfires that left New Jersey blanketed in smoke forced some people who work outside to face the haze while causing a bevvy of worries for others who ventured outdoors Wednesday.

Residents in the northern region of the state worry about the effects of such intense pollution on those with respiratory problems. Tatiana Karam, a Hopatcong resident, spoke of her concerns regarding her cousin.

“Our cousin, she has really bad asthma, it's hard for her to even just step outside our house right now,” Karam said. “It's very disheartening to see them suffer like that when it's something that really shouldn't have happened in the first place.”

These concerns are widespread and are found among medical professionals as well. Julia Freehill, a registered nurse, expressed concern for patients who struggle with further respiratory issues.

“We have a lot of people that have COPD and breathing problems that literally cannot be outside right now. Because they can't breathe,” Freehill said.

Freehill’s cousin, Julia Garrity, worried about the anxiety the pollution has caused. She recalled how the high levels of smoke led her to originally believe there were issues with her car.

“I thought my car was burning when I smelled,” Garrity said. “Then I was like, ‘Oh, no, I think it's outside,’ but I got nervous.”

People who work outdoors were also left with no choice but to face the smoke or make adjustments.

Some employers are shifting work indoors as much as possible. Debora Davidson, executive director of the Tenafly Nature Center, is encouraging employees to stay inside as much as possible and wear protective gear when outdoors. 

“We’re encouraging everybody up here when they are outside to wear a mask,” Davidson said. “On top of that, though, we do have some outdoor components to our jobs that cannot be brought inside, mainly the care and maintenance of any of the property aspects that we need to do throughout our preserve or taking care of any of the animals that we have entrusted in our care.” 

The Tenafly Nature Center, when possible, also brought its animals into indoor spaces with air purifiers.

Ken Koury and James McQuade, who work for Koury Painting & Power Washing in Park Ridge, painted decks outside Wednesday. They had growing concerns about the air quality as the work day went but accepted the potential risks involved. 

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“We work with volatile organic compounds all day long, so it’s part of the hazard. Just working our job is a hazard,” Koury said. McQuade added that he would wear a mask for the rest of the work day as a precaution. 

Don Torino, president of the Bergen County Audubon Society, worked in the butterfly garden at Teaneck Creek and led a nature walk outside. He felt the effects of the poor air quality firsthand. 

“Since I’m asthmatic, in the back of my mind, I have to be a little careful,” Torino said. “I didn’t spend as long out there today as I would have. I could just feel my throat getting scratchy and [I was] starting to cough. It was not fun after a while.”

The Bergen County Health Department advised residents to stay indoors and recommended the cancellation of all outdoor activities, stating that “the Northern New Jersey and NYC Metro Region is anticipated to experience some of the most severe air quality conditions in the country.” 

Air pollution in Northern New Jersey was predicted to increase throughout the day on Wednesday. Levels were expected to rise above 151 on the air quality index, indicating the air is unhealthy for members of the general population.