American Lung Associates Grades for Air Quality
American Lung Association issues its “State of the Air” report.
www.pennlive.com/news/2021/04/threats-of-breathing-polluted-air-in-central-pa-remains
Tag Archive for: Air Quality
DEP declares Air Quality Action Day on Jan. 14
| A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Thursday, Jan 14 | ||||
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| Tomorrow’s Forecast | ||||
| Thursday, Jan 14: | 102 AQI | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |  |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
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| Extended Forecast | ||||
| Friday, Jan 15: | 66 AQI | Moderate |  |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| Current conditions: **An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for the day Thursday** After another morning of elevated fine particulate concentrations, levels are decreasing this Wednesday afternoon under a brisk west to southwest wind. Nonetheless, most locations will end up well into the moderate range. Fine particulate levels will increase overnight with a developing inversion and near calm winds. *** Thursday’s forecast: Fine particulate matter concentrations will be high Thursday morning, and there will not be enough afternoon mixing to keep levels out of the code ORANGE range, with the Lancaster area perhaps ending up with the highest concentrations. Skies should be partly sunny with a mild afternoon. * |
DEP declares Air Quality Action Day of Dec. 21
| A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Monday, Dec 21 | ||||
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| Tomorrow’s Forecast | ||||
| Monday, Dec 21: | 103 AQI | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
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| 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. * |
Air Quality Action Day, Dec. 20
| 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) |
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| 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.
Clean Air is Good for Birds too
Study: Air pollution laws aimed at human health also help birds
By Pat Leonard |Cornell Chronicle
U.S. pollution regulations meant to protect people from dirty air are also saving North America’s birds, according to a new study. Improved air quality under a federal program to reduce ozone pollution may have averted the loss of 1.5 billion birds during the past 40 years, the study found. That’s nearly 20% of bird life in the United States today. Read more.
PA DEP has declared Air Quality Action Day on Nov. 9
| 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) |
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| 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).
PA DEP has declared Air Quality Action Day for Nov. 8
| Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Sunday, Nov 8 | ||||
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| Forecast | ||||
| Sunday, Nov 8: | 104 AQI | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
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| Extended Forecast | ||||
| Monday, Nov 9: | 100 AQI | Moderate | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| Tuesday, Nov 10: | 65 AQI | Moderate | |
Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) |
| Current conditions: **An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Sunday ** Air quality with respect to fine particulate is deteriorating this Saturday across the area as a powerfully strong ridge of high pressure builds across the commonwealth. This high is expected to hold in place through the day Sunday. The result will be very light winds, strong temperature inversions, and further PM2.5 buildups, likely into the code ORANGE range during the day Sunday, with the highest concentrations occurring during the morning hours. *** Extended forecast: The upper level high will hang on for another day on Monday with similar meteorological conditions expected which may be favorable for another code ORANGE day. We will be issuing an updated forecast later on Sunday in regard to the PM situation. The ridge will finally start breaking down and air quality improving with increasing low level flow by Tuesday, and a cold front then brings an opportunity for showers by Wednesday.—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.
This forecast is brought to you by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP).
* For more information on the health effects of PM 2.5 and ozone, visit the EPA Airnow website.
* To see the current forecast and monitoring information for the Susquehanna valley Region, visit us online at the PA DEP Forecast and Monitoring Site.
Western Wildlifes – the effect on public health
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
Wildfires can affect air hundreds of miles away
Wildfires can cause temporary large increases in outdoor airborne particles, and substantial increases in gaseous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde. Large wildfires can increase air pollution over thousands of square kilometers [or thousands of square miles].
PurpleAir Can Warn of Hazardous Air
I Live in California. How Do I Know It’s Safe to Go Outside?
A high-tech sensor network brought me closer to the natural cycles of my environment.
NY Times, Sept. 4, 2020.
By
Contributing Opinion Writer
