DEP Declares Air Quality Action Day Saturday, June 17 For Southwest PA
Photo

The Department of Environmental Protection and the Air Quality Partnership have forecast Saturday, June 17 will be a Code Orange Air Quality Action for ozone in Southwest Pennsylvania, including the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland.

Hot and humid conditions with light southwest winds will send temperatures close to 90 degrees Saturday afternoon across western PA. Ozone levels will rise to the code ORANGE range in the areas listed above. These concentrations should improve to the moderate range by Sunday as southwest winds increase and there is a better chance for afternoon thunderstorms.

There will be no action day forecast required for the Susquehanna or Lehigh Valleys as we will start Saturday with clouds and a shower, then there is a greater chance for thunder to develop in the late afternoon/early evening in these areas. Therefore, only moderate concentrations are expected across central-eastern PA.

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.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standardized air quality index uses colors to report daily air quality. Green signifies good; yellow means moderate; orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive people; and red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.

To help keep the air healthy, residents and business are encouraged to voluntarily restrict certain pollution-producing activities by:

-- Refueling cars and trucks after dusk

-- Setting air conditioner thermostats to a higher temperature

-- Carpooling or using public transportation; and

-- Combining errands to reduce trips.

These forecasts are provided in conjunction with Air Quality Partnerships for Pittsburgh and Liberty-Clairton.

For more information, visit DEP’s Air Quality Partnership webpage.

NewsClips:

Xpress Natural Gas Takes Heat For Building Compressor Station Without DEP Permit

Homer City Power Plant Out Of Bankruptcy, Still Needs Overhaul

Philadelphia Air Agency Argues Against Proposed Reg On Tire Cutting

Code Orange Air Quality Alert In Effect For Tuesday In Southeast

Philly Schools Closing At Noon Today Due To Heat

EPA Moves To Halt Oil & Gas Methane Rule For 2 Years

Trump Delays Rules Limiting Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Operations

Industry Cheers Methane Rules Pause Despite New Uncertainty

EPA Expected To Unveil Renewable Fuel Plan As Early As This Week

[Posted: June 16, 2017]


6/19/2017

Go To Preceding Article     Go To Next Article

Return to This PA Environment Digest's Main Page