Smoky air crowds ERs

Hospitals in New York City are reporting a sharp increase in ER visits for asthma and other respiratory problems due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

The air quality index jumped to 254 — a degree rated “very unhealthy” for everyone — on Wednesday.

By comparison, the AQI just two days earlier was only 53, or “acceptable.”

The pollutant of greatest concern during wildfires is called PM 2.5, or particulate matter that’s 2.5 microns wide or smaller. The particles can get in the lungs, throat, nose and eyes.