Tag Archive for: PM2.5

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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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PA DEP has declared Air Quality Action Day for Nov. 8

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Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Sunday, Nov 8
Forecast
Sunday, Nov 8: 104 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
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.

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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

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CAB installs PM2.5 monitor

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The Clean Air Board announced that it has installed a new air quality monitor in downtown Carlisle near the Square.  The PM2.5 sensor will report its readings 24 hours a day.  The real-time data can be viewed on the PurpleAir network.  The PurpleAir™ sensor is a device that uses two laser particle counters to capture and record data about microscopic particulate matter (PM2.5) suspended in the air.  The sensor uses WiFi connectivity to display real-time air quality readings on the PurpleAir™ Map, which is a  world-wide map of monitors where data can be shared with the public.

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Air Pollution and Coronavirus Death Rates

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The New York Times, April 7, 2020 by Lisa Friedman

WASHINGTON — Coronavirus patients in areas that had high levels of air pollution before the pandemic are more likely to die from the infection than patients in cleaner parts of the country, according to a new nationwide study that offers the first clear link between long-term exposure to pollution and Covid-19 death rates.

Read more from NY Times

Governor Wolf Announces $118 Million Volkswagen Settlement to Fund New Air Pollution Reduction Program

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Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced the roll out of new grant and rebate programs to improve air quality in Pennsylvania funded by the $118 million settlement with Volkswagen Group of America, Pennsylvania’s share of the settlement for allegations of cheating on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions tests.

The new initiative, Driving PA Forward, is aimed at permanently reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions statewide by as much as 27,700 tons overall by accelerating the replacement of older, polluting diesel engines with cleaner technologies.
Emissions from diesel engines in trucks, buses, forklifts, and other transportation equipment account for over 25 percent of the NOx emissions in Pennsylvania. These emissions contribute to ground-level ozone, leading to poorer air quality and health impacts, especially for children and the elderly.”

Diesel emissions also include fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), which can lead to health problems such as asthma and worsen medical issues such as heart and lung disease and emphysema.
“Reducing smog and particle pollution is essential to maintaining healthy communities,” said Department of Health Secretary Rachel Levine. “More than 380,000 children in Pennsylvania have asthma – something that is exacerbated by air pollution from diesel emissions. These grants and rebates will cut down on those emissions and help everyone breathe a little easier.”

Eight grant and rebate programs will be available over the next five years, with as much as $39 million available for disbursement in year one. Programs will be rolled out throughout 2018.