Tag Archive for: health

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DEP declares Code Orange Action for Particulate on Tuesday, Aug. 5

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The PA Department of Environmental Protection is concerned about wildfire smoke from Canada drifting into Pennsylvania. Excerpts from PADEP message dated Aug. 4, 2025:

A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley Area, PA, on Tuesday, Aug 5
 
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Tuesday, Aug 5:102 AQIUnhealthy for Sensitive GroupsParticle Pollution (2.5 microns)
 90 AQIModerateOzone

Thicker areas of low level smoke still persist to our north and there is concern some of this smoke works it’s way into the area Tuesday and Wednesday. Here are the forecast details:

*** Tuesday’s forecast: An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for Tuesday! Sunshine and a few clouds through near surface smoke Tuesday may result in several hours where PM2.5 concentrations move into the code ORANGE range. In addition, the smoke may act to produce ozone levels in the high moderate range for some time during the afternoon as well. Afternoon highs will reach the middle and upper 80s.

Any persons who are sensitive to air pollution should limit extensive outdoor exertion and visit www.airnow.gov for the latest air quality information in their location. 

*** Extended forecast: Increasing clouds and an easterly flow will limit ozone production Wednesday and Thursday, but PM2.5 may still reach into code ORANGE for a time as the smoke may be slow to clear out, especially Wednesday.

* 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.

* The AirNow Fire and Smoke Map provides information that you can use to help protect your health from wildfire smoke.

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Almost Half of Americans Breathe Unhealthy Air, American Lung Association Report Finds

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NY Times, April 23, 2025, by Rebecca Dzombak

At least 156 million Americans, about 46 percent of the population, live with unsafe levels of ozone, particulate pollution or both, according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report. See more

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Warehouse Development — Impacts on People and Landscapes

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Join the Center for Land Use and Sustainability
at Shippensburg University for a public forum on

Warehouse Development — Impacts on People and Landscapes

Wednesday, April 16, 6:00pm — 8:30pm
Ceddia Union Building MPR, Shippensburg University

Members of the Clean Air Board will be there.

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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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CAB Community Meeting, Oct. 19, 7 pm

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Please join with CAB this Thursday for a presentation on the interaction of pesticides with biodiversity, disease, and climate – presented by Jay Feldman, Beyond Pesticides! 

Topic: Eliminating petrochemical pesticides in our local environment

    What:  Join CAB online in this Zoom presentation

    When: Thursday, Oct 19, at 7 p.m.

    How: Reply to cleanairboard@gmail.com if you would like a link to the Zoom meeting.

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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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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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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

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DEP Issues a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day Forecast for June 9, 2020

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Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and its regional air quality partnerships have forecast a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone on June 9, 2020, for southeastern and southcentral Pennsylvania (encompassing the counties of Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York).
Strong sunshine, temperatures close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and light south to southwest winds will act to bring ozone concentrations to code ORANGE levels Tuesday afternoon. Concentrations of ozone are expected to be lower on Wednesday with only partly sunny skies and the chance for shower and thunderstorm development.
On air quality action days, 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.  Read more
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CAB files comments on “Transparency Rule”

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On May 15, 2020, the Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania  filed written comments opposing EPA’s proposed rule  entitled “Strengthening Transparency in Science.”  CAB expressed concern that the proposed rule will work to create barriers to the use of highly respected and valuable epidemiological studies in EPA’s decisions.  Along with other consequences, under the proposed rule, large epidemiological studies like the effect of air pollution and correlation with public health in regard to respiratory, cardiac, and neurological impacts would be discounted, to the detriment of people living close to polluting sources.

The full comment statement can be found here.