Tag Archive for: PM2.5

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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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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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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.

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DEP extends Code Orange Air Quality Alert in Susquehanna Valley

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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

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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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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 on Jan. 14

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Thursday, Jan 14
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Thursday, Jan 14: 102 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
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. *