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DEP declares Ozone Air Quality Action Day on July 29

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Monday, Jul 29
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Monday, Jul 29:105 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone
 63 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Tuesday, Jul 30:54 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 50 AQIGoodOzone
Wednesday, Jul 31:ModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 GoodOzone


Current Conditions: At 5 p.m. EDT this Sunday afternoon, skies were mostly sunny with temperatures around 90 degrees. Ozone and fine particle (PM2.5) concentrations were in the moderate range. The heat will continue Monday, then things turn unsettled Tuesday into Wednesday with opportunities for much needed rainfall. Here are the forecast details: *** Monday’s forecast: AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY IS IN EFFECT FOR MONDAY!! Mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the lower to middle 90s will result in ozone maximums in the code ORANGE range during the afternoon. Sensitive persons are urged to limit outdoor activity during the afternoon hours. PM2.5 will remain in the moderate range through the day. *** Extended forecast: Better air quality is in store Tuesday into Wednesday as things turn more unsettled with the chance for showers and thunderstorms. Air quality will average in the upper good to perhaps low moderate range. The heat returns late this week with ozone concentrations again rising by Thursday.—McAuliffe

* You are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce air pollution when an Air Quality Action Day is declared.

* Here are some tips for reducing ozone pollution:

   • Driving less by carpooling or using public transportation;
   • Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;
   • Limiting engine idling;
   • Refueling cars and trucks after dusk; and
   • Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights that are not in use.

* Here are some tips for reducing fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) pollution:

   • Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use;
   • Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and
   • Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

* This air quality forecast was prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

* The DEP’s air quality forecast for the Susquehanna Valley Area can also be found here.

* Current air quality monitoring data for the Susquehanna Valley Area and other locations across Pennsylvania can be found at the EPA’s AirNow Interactive Map.

* For information on the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the health effects of ozone and PM-2.5, visit the EPA’s AirNow AQI & Health webpage.

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How is Carlisle Progressing on its Climate Action Plan?

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Joel Hicks, Borough Council member will talk to us about the progress in implementing Carlisle’s climate action plan.
How is Carlisle faring with its Plan?  The Borough of Carlisle approved the climate action plan two years ago.
What steps have been taken toward implementation since then? Are greenhouse gas emissions being reduced? Is there new climate friendly infrastructure? 

Join us for a Clean Air Board Zoom meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at 7 p.m.  Email CleanAirBoard@gmail.com to receive a Zoom link.

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EPA announces revised air quality standard

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February 7, 2024 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has revised the annual fine particulate (PM2.5) air quality standard. The new rule lowers the annual standard for fine particulate matter to 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air, down from the current standard of 12 micrograms. Over the next two years, the EPA will identify areas that do not meet the new standard. States would then have 18 months to develop compliance plans for those areas. By 2032, any area that exceeds the new standard could face sanctions. For more information go to the EPA webpage.

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EPA proposes to revise the air quality standard for PM2.5

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The EPA Proposed Rule for fine particulate was published in the Federal Register, link here: https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0072-1543
Public comments are due March 28.  Go to the proposed rule to find out how to submit comments.

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PA DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for Dec. 29 in Susquehanna Valley

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Thursday, Dec 29
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Thursday, Dec 29:112 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Friday, Dec 30:100 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)


Current Conditions as of 1 PM on Wednesday: High pressure is providing mostly sunny skies with temperatures well into the 40s this afternoon. After a few days of frigid temperatures last weekend, we are looking to close out 2022 much warmer as we head into this weekend. *** Thursday’s Forecast: Thursday will be another mild day with temperatures climbing into the low 50s, which is several degrees above normal highs for this time of year. High pressure providing a light southwesterly breeze under mostly sunny skies will allow for the temperatures to warm nicely into the afternoon. Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) will climb as chilly overnight and early morning temperatures will lead to the formation of a strong temperature inversion with the much warmer air moving in over the area just above the surface. Hourly values of the PM-2.5 concentrations will be higher during the period that the inversion is in place, but the light afternoon winds as temperatures warm to break the inversion will only provide a limited amount of mixing. Therefore, concentrations will be in the high end of the moderate range on average for the day with some sites possibly averaging out in the Code Orange range. An Air Quality Action Day will be declared as a result. 
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Air Quality Action Day declared by PA DEP for Susquehanna Valley for Nov. 24

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Thursday, Nov 24
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Thursday, Nov 24:102 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Friday, Nov 25:75 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Saturday, Nov 26:50 AQIGoodParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Sunday, Nov 27:39 AQIGoodParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Monday, Nov 28:34 AQIGoodParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)

Current Conditions: A strong high pressure system over the Mid-Atlantic states is producing sunny skies and mild air this Wednesday afternoon. A morning inversion resulted in elevated fine particle (PM-2.5) levels, and limited mixing this afternoon is keeping overall PM-2.5 in the moderate range. Tonight, another inversion will develop, and fine particle pollution will tend to get trapped close to the surface once more. *** Thanksgiving Day forecast: An Air Quality Action Day will be declared for the day Thursday!! PM-2.5 will end up being highest prior to noon, with slightly better air quality during the afternoon. PM-2.5 concentrations will reach code ORANGE, especially in and around the Lancaster area. Otherwise, skies will be mostly sunny with a mild afternoon. *** Friday’s forecast: A weak cold front will bring more clouds and rain showers to the region Friday. PM-2.5 concentrations will still be elevated during the morning Friday, but increasing afternoon west to northwest winds should keep average concentrations down in the moderate range.
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DEP declares Air Quality Action Day on Oct. 23 for Susquehanna Valley

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Sunday, Oct 23
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Sunday, Oct 23: 102 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Monday, Oct 24: 95 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Tuesday, Oct 25: 70 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Current Conditions: Light winds are producing very little dispersion across the area this Saturday afternoon, and fine particle pollution (PM2.5) levels in the area will end up well into the moderate range. A strong inversion is likely to increase particles again tonight. *** Sunday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day will be declared for Sunday! High PM2.5 levels during the morning hours Sunday will send daily averages into the code ORANGE range, mainly across Lancaster County. The highest PM2.5 will come prior to 11 a.m. Sunday morning. A light northeast wind will improve air quality during the afternoon. *** Monday’s forecast: PM2.5 will continue to be an issue as we move into the new workweek. Light south to southeast wind will again not allow for a good deal of mixing, so high moderate air quality is again likely. *
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Air Pollution Kills 10 Million People a Year.

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By David Wallace-Wells, Opinion Writer, NY Times, July 8, 2022

For every thousand people alive on earth, 973 are regularly inhaling toxins. Only 27 are not. Which means, almost certainly, you are too.

Last fall, the World Health Organization lowered its global air quality standard from 10 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter to five. Those terms and standards can feel abstract, which makes their meaning a bit hard to fathom.  Read more . . .

 

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PA DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for Saturday, June 25

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Saturday, Jun 25
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Saturday, Jun 25:101 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone
 60 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Sunday, Jun 26:77 AQIModerateOzone
 52 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Monday, Jun 27:46 AQIGoodOzone
 40 AQIGoodParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Tuesday, Jun 28:46 AQIGoodOzone
 38 AQIGoodParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)

Current Conditions: Clouds are beginning to break up some this Friday afternoon as high pressure starts to build in from the west. Both fine particle pollution (PM2.5) and ozone are down inside the good range. *** Saturday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Saturday! Mostly sunny skies and temperatures edging to around 90 degrees will permit rapid ozone development with some additional transport involved from the west. Maximum 8-hour concentrations of ozone will thus reach into the code ORANGE range during the afternoon. PM2.5 averages will be in the moderate range.