Tag Archive for: air quality index

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DEP declares Air Quality Action Day in Susquehanna Valley for Nov. 7

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DEP has declared an Air Quality Action Day for the Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Sunday, Nov 7.
According to the DEP news release, on Saturday evening, PM2.5 will be on the rise once more as a moderately strong inversion develops. *** Sunday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action day will be declared for the day Sunday with a strong inversion and calm winds early in the day. Winds will pick up from the north and northwest during the afternoon, but may not be sufficient enough to keep PM2.5 out of the code ORANGE range in a few locations.

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The Air Quality Index Explained: What It Means and How to Stay Safe

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By Adeel Hassan NY Times, Aug. 6, 2021

The Air Quality Index measures the density of five pollutants: ground-level ozone, particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. It was established by the Environmental Protection Agency as a way to communicate to Americans the cleanliness of the air they are breathing each day. Read more

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DEP declares Ozone Action Day for Aug. 25

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DEP has declared an Air Quality Action Day due to OZONE pollution in the Susquehanna Valley, PA, for Wednesday, Aug 25

Tomorrow’s Forecast
Wednesday, Aug 25: 102 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Ozone
57 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Thursday, Aug 26: 98 AQI Moderate Ozone
57 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)

Current conditions: A ridge of high pressure building into Pennsylvania is bringing mostly sunny skies and hotter air into the area this Tuesday afternoon. Ozone levels are increasing, but remain in the good range. However, particle pollution (PM2.5) remains moderate in parts of the area. Deteriorating air quality is in store for the next couple of days with light winds, mostly sunny skies, and recirculating air. *** Wednesday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Wednesday!! Ozone formation during the late morning/afternoon will be robust, and 8-hour maximum concentrations are expected to reach into the code ORANGE range. PM2.5 levels will remain in the moderate range through the day as skies will be mostly sunny with temperatures reaching into the middle 90s. *** Extended forecast: The heat is expected to continue Thursday, with sunshine for the most part, and again, code ORANGE ozone concentrations are possible. Chances for afternoon and evening thunderstorm activity may temper the heat and subsequent ozone formation Friday into Saturday, so only moderate ozone and PM2.5 concentrations may occur on these days. It might not be until early next week until we can get a bonafide cold front to pass through and cool things off just in time for the start of September. —McAuliffe

Residents and businesses within the ozone Air Quality Action Day area are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce air pollution by:

• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature;
• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;
• Limiting engine idling; and
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk.

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DEP extends air quality action day to July 21

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Harrisburg, PA.  An Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter will be in effect once again in the Susquehanna Valley for Wednesday, July 21. A cold front pushing to the south and east will improve conditions and help to move the wildfire smoke out of the area, but this feature will not arrive until the afternoon to early evening hours. A slight chance for showers and possibly a few thunderstorms will occur in advance of the arrival of this front, but these will not be widespread enough to help to clean out the air prior to the frontal passage.

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DEP declares air quality action day for July 20

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Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter for Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in the following areas of Pennsylvania:

• The southeastern counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia;
• The Lehigh Valley-Berks Area which includes the counties of Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton;
• The southcentral counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York; and
• The southwestern counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland.

Smoke from wildfires in northern and western Canada, along with light winds, will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range on Tuesday.

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DEP declares Air Quality Action Day of Dec. 21

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Monday, Dec 21
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Monday, Dec 21: 103 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Tuesday, Dec 22: 40 AQI Good Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Current conditions: ***An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Monday***. Calm to very light westerly winds, another strong morning inversion, and increasing weekday emissions from mobile and stationary sources will all act to create fine particulate concentrations in the code ORANGE range Monday. Fine particulate concentrations are expected to be at their highest during the morning hours. *
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Air Quality Action Day, Dec. 20

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Sunday, Dec 20
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Sunday, Dec 20: 103 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Monday, Dec 21: 64 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Tuesday, Dec 22: 39 AQI Good Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Current conditions: An Air Quality Action Day is effect for the day Sunday. Stagnant surface winds, a moderately strong inversion, and snow cover will all act to bring fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations to the code ORANGE range Sunday. Concentrations will be highest during the morning hours, and then fall some during the afternoon with a slight south wind. The day will turn out mostly cloudy with only a rain or snow shower. *** Monday’s forecast: Another weak weather system will bring a rain or snow shower later Monday or Monday evening with enough low level mixing from the south and southwest to where only moderate PM2.5 concentrations are expected. *** Extended forecast: Better air quality in the good range is expected by Tuesday, as a northwesterly flow will increase and be rather brisk in the afternoon. High pressure builds back in by Wednesday, but then a strong cold front brings rain to the area Christmas eve. A blast of very cold air will then follow for Christmas day and Saturday. Air quality should be in the good range Wednesday through Saturday.—McAuliffe

 

Residents and businesses within the ozone Air Quality Action Day area are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce air pollution by:

• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature;
• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;
• Limiting engine idling; and
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk.

Days when particle pollution levels are expected to be high:

* Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
* Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
* Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.

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PA DEP has declared Air Quality Action Day on Nov. 9

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Monday, Nov 9
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Monday, Nov 9: 120 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Tuesday, Nov 10: 65 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Current conditions:**An Air Quality Action Day will be declared for the day Monday** Fine particulate concentrations are elevated in the code ORANGE range across most of the area this Sunday afternoon, and these levels will continue into the day Monday as a stagnant weather pattern continues. *** Monday’s forecast: A strong temperature inversion in tandem with weak low and mid level winds will allow for PM2.5 buildups during the day Monday. Code ORANGE concentrations of this pollutant are likely with mostly sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures. The highest concentrations will likely be across Lancaster County during the morning hours. *** Extended forecast: Air quality will improve Tuesday as a strong upper level ridge starts to break down and allows for an increase in low level winds, mixing, and dispersion. Nonetheless, moderate air quality is still likely. Further improvements to the good range will occur by Wednesday as a cold front approaches and brings an opportunity for some needed rainfall. Cooler air will follow this front late this week, with temperatures moving down closer to November normals.—McAuliffe
Days when particle pollution levels are expected to be high:

* Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
* Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
* Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.

This forecast is brought to you by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP).
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PurpleAir increases our knowledge of air quality

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Our PurpleAir network helps us understand local air pollution.  PurpleAir provides continuous monitoring for particulate pollution.  Read our Guest Editorial in Cumberlink.

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Western Wildlifes – the effect on public health

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View the recent CAB Zoom meeting where we discuss the air pollution caused by western wildfires and the readings at air quality monitors around major cities on the west coast.  https://cleanairboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wildfires.mp4