Tag Archive for: pollution

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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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Wildfires can affect air hundreds of miles away

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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].

https://iaqscience.lbl.gov/cc-wildfires#:~:text=Wildfires%20can%20cause%20temporary%20large,acetaldehyde%20%5B40%2D43%5D.

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PurpleAir Can Warn of Hazardous Air

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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 Annalee Newitz

Contributing Opinion Writer

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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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CAB files comments on DEP’s proposed methane rules

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June 24, 2020 – The Clean Air Board testified at an Environmental Quality Board hearing on DEP’s proposed rules to reduce hydrocarbons and methane leaks from existing oil and gas operations. CAB asked that certain exemptions be removed from the proposed rules. Read CAB’s methane rule comments

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The Sentinel: Clean Air Board’s fight to clear the air in Carlisle

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June 1, 2018, Joe Cress The Sentinel

Sometimes the proudest achievement is the hardest one to measure in terms of its impact down the road.Such is the case with the Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania and the lobbying effort it led a decade ago to implement anti-idling legislation.

That legislation put into place time limits on idling in the hope the new restrictions could reduce fine particulate emissions from diesel engine exhausts.

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Why Drive An Electric Car?

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The Clean Air Board will be meeting on Feb. 1, 7 pm to discuss the future of electric vehicles.  Why drive an electric car?  We will discuss this question with Felix Edem, a representative from Brenner Nissan in Mechanicsburg, PA.

Electric vehicles will become commonplace in the near future.  CAB has been participating in the Drive Electric PA Coalition meetings with PennDOT, the PUC and PA DEP.  https://driveelectricpa.org/  At the last meeting of the coalition, Nissan manufacturer representatives talked a bit about the 2018 Nissan Leaf, a zero emissions vehicle that can travel 150 miles on a single charge.

2018 Nissan Leaf

Image from GreenCarsReports,com

CAB meets at the Second Presbyterian Church, 528 Garland Drive, Carlisle, PA.  For directions, click here