Tag Archive for: air quality index

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DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for May 31

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Wednesday, May 31
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Wednesday, May 31:130 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 58 AQIModerateOzone
Extended Forecast
Thursday, Jun 1:95 AQIModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 78 AQIModerateOzone

Current Conditions as of 1 PM on Tuesday: Temperatures are into the mid to upper 70s this afternoon under sunny skies. High pressure will be in control of the weather for the week with a warming trend through Friday bringing some heat to the region. *** Wednesday’s Forecast: Easterly flow from the last few days will continue Wednesday. Temperatures will climb a couple degrees higher than that of Tuesday. A mix of sun and clouds early will become mostly sunny by the afternoon. Hazy conditions are expected as a plume of smoke from a large wildfire in Nova Scotia will enter the region with the easterly flow around the area of high pressure. This smoke may be close enough to the surface that we see several hours with elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5). Due to this plume being forecasted to enter the region and remain overhead and likely near the surface for several hours, concentrations may be in the Code Orange range on average for the day for a number of sites. Ozone formation will be mostly limited with the plume overhead but could still reach the moderate range. *
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DEP declares Ozone Action Day for May 12 in Susquehanna Valley

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Friday, May 12 
Tomorrow’s Forecast Friday, May 12:
101 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive GroupsOzone 
78 AQI ModerateParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)

Extended Forecast Saturday, May 13:
45 AQI GoodOzone

*** Friday’s Forecast: High pressure will provide another day of mostly sunny skies with temperatures climbing into the mid-80s. Some cloud cover will approach the region from the west later in the day. Winds will become a west to southwesterly breeze. The wildfire smoke that has been aloft but providing a hazy look to the sky over the last few days is expected to be pushed eastward for Friday. Some of this smoke may be mixed down closer to the surface, resulting in concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) to climb into the mid-moderate range on average for the day. With the mostly sunny skies, warm temperatures, southwesterly breeze, and concern that some of the wildfire smoke to be mixed down closer to the surface, an Air Quality Action Day (Code Orange) will be declared for ozone for Friday. Concentrations will climb high into the moderate range with some locations reaching Code Orange levels. *** Extended Outlook: An increase in cloud cover and chance for some showers will improve ozone conditions for Saturday as formation will be limited. PM-2.5 concentrations will begin to improve with winds becoming more northerly but may remain at levels inside the moderate range on average for the day. Temperatures will be slightly cooler compared to Friday with highs in the mid-70s. Sunshine will return for Sunday with a further improvement in air quality conditions as winds become more northerly. Temperatures will remain warm into next week with highs in the low to mid-70s. — Roble*

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.*
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Clean Air Board files comments to EPA on PM2.5 standards

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March 27, 2023 – The Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania submitted comments to the US Environmental Protection Agency on proposed revisions to the air quality standards for fine particulate (soot). CAB urged EPA to tighten the standards to protect vulnerable populations and the general public. Recent medical studies have shown that even low levels of airborne soot pollution can cause harmful health problems. CAB asked EPA to adopt an annual standard of 8 micrograms per cubic meter (8 ug/m3) and a 24-hour standard of 25 micrograms per cubic meter (25 ug/m3). Read the CAB 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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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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DEP declares Air Quality Action Day for Aug. 4

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Thursday, Aug 4
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Thursday, Aug 4: 102 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Ozone
58 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Friday, Aug 5: 60 AQI Moderate Ozone
54 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Current Conditions: Mostly sunny skies prevail this Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures close to the 90-degree mark are allowing ozone to move into the lower moderate range today. Low relative humidity is keeping fine particle pollution (PM2.5) down inside the good range. Tonight will be mostly clear with temperatures only falling into the lower 70s. *** Thursday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Thursday as it will turn out to be the hottest day of the week with sunshine and a few clouds and temperatures maxing out in the lower and middle 90s. Ozone development will be more rapid, with parts of the area reaching the code ORANGE range during the afternoon. PM2.5 averages will reach the moderate zone. A shower or thunderstorm is possible towards evening.
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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. 
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DEP declares Ozone Air Quality Action Day for Saturday May 21

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Saturday, May 21   Tomorrow’s Forecast Saturday, May 21: 102 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Ozone   62 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)   Extended Forecast Sunday, May 22: 80 AQI Moderate Ozone   56 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 […]

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DEP declares Orange Air Quality Action Day for Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022

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DEP Declares Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulate Matter for Thursday, January 13, 2022, in Multiple Areas of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter for Thursday, January 13, 2022, in the following areas of Pennsylvania:

• The Philadelphia Area, which includes the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia;
• The Lehigh Valley-Berks Area, which includes the counties of Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton; and
• The Susquehanna Valley Area, which includes the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York.

A moderately strong temperature inversion Thursday morning with calm or very light wind will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Green signifies good air quality; Yellow means moderate air quality; Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.

An Air Quality Action Day is declared when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher. On an Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:

• 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.