Smoke from wildfires, a fact of life in the West, catches outdoor workers off guard in the East

Smoke originating from Canadian wildfires has been adversely affecting outdoor workers along the U.S. East Coast, leading to cancellation of sporting events, school field trips, and Broadway performances due to a surreal orange-tinged atmosphere.

The perilous impacts of wildfires have long been a concern for outdoor workers in the West, including delivery workers, construction employees, farm laborers, and airport and railway workers. However, in the East, the sight of a smoke-tainted sun is a novel phenomenon, leaving many unprepared for the unfolding situation.

Several workers were caught unprepared for the ill effects of smoke inhalation, with some abandoning their jobs as air quality degraded. Many, nonetheless, held on in the expectation that the situation would improve. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.

The region has been under the sway of a sluggish weather system, with smoke from the wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia persisting and potentially lasting through the weekend.

In response, New York City Public Schools announced that Friday’s classes would shift to remote learning. In Philadelphia, trash collection, street cleaning, and repair works were halted to safeguard workers from the polluted environment.

While some companies offered N-95 masks and indoor breaks, labor rights groups advocated for additional protections, echoing a struggle that initially took root in California and the West.

Delivery workers in New York continued their operations despite the “Code Red” alert. Bimal Jhale, a 43-year-old Grubhub delivery worker, highlighted the struggle of managing health risks and the need for survival. Grubhub assured drivers they would not face penalties if they chose not to deliver due to safety concerns.

Labor protection rules against wildfire smoke, such as provision of N95 masks, breaks, and indoor workspaces, have been adopted in the West but are non-existent in the East and at the federal level. Employers, though, are obliged to protect workers under general workplace safety laws.

There are potential short- and long-term financial and health repercussions. A study indicated that each day of exposure to wildfire smoke could reduce quarterly earnings by 0.1%, amounting to a $125 billion annual loss.

In the short term, smoke exposure can lead to hospitalizations and, in some cases, death. Long-term exposure can result in decreased lung function, weakened immune systems, and increased rates of flu.

Despite existing rules, ensuring corporate compliance remains a challenge, say labor activists. The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division has been lobbying for protections including air quality monitoring and work rescheduling.

Companies such as Amtrak and Norfolk Southern have made efforts to protect their employees, making N-95 and KN95 masks available and monitoring air quality. Delta Air Lines, for instance, has allowed ground crew to come indoors between aircraft turnovers.

Despite warnings and some precautionary measures, many workers were left to handle the situation independently. Some, like construction worker Victor Aucapina, chose to continue working to support his family despite the hazardous conditions.

For many East Coast workers, the severity of the wildfire smoke threat was not immediately apparent. Construction worker Warren Duckett, for instance, initially dismissed the smoke as fog. Like many others, he was hopeful for clearer skies, but conditions only deteriorated, with air quality warnings dropping from “Code Red” to “Code Purple.”

Contributions to this report were made by David Koenig in Dallas and Paul Wiseman in Washington, D.C. The story was reported from Washington, D.C. by Grantham-Philips.

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