Tag Archive for: Air Quality

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DEP declares Air Quality Action Day on Oct. 23 for Susquehanna Valley

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

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.

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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DEP declares Ozone Air Quality Action Day for Saturday May 21

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

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.

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DEP extends Code Orange Air Quality Alert in Susquehanna Valley

PA DEP has extended the Code Orange Air Quality Action Day in the Susquehanna Valley to Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. According to the DEP news release, “An Air Quality Action Day will be declared for Monday as near calm winds and a strong morning inversion elevate PM2.5, especially prior to 10 a.m. The inversion will break with light north winds Monday afternoon, but parts of the area might still have PM2.5 daily averages in the code ORANGE range.”
View CAB’s real-time PM2.5 monitor feed on our home page to find PM2.5 measurements in your area.

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

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

By Adeel Hassan NY Times, Aug. 6, 2021

The Air Quality Index measures the density of five pollutants: ground-level ozoneparticulatescarbon monoxidenitrogen 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

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.