Allegheny County To Be Part Of ‘Code Orange Air Quality Action Day’

EPA
Photo credit Justin Sullivan / Staff

HARRISBURG (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced the institution of a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Allegheny County as it relates to the ozone layer.

Based on the forecast, it's happening on Saturday, July 18.

Allegheny is one of 12 counties that has been designated for the Code Orange Air Quality Action Day.

The other counties include Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland.

Air Quality Action Days are based on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s forecasts, which in Saturday's case, is sunshine mostly with light southwesterlies and high temperatures, expected to be in the 90s.

These are ideal conditions for ozone creation for the dedicated Air Quality Action Day zones.

An Air Quality Action Day is scheduled when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index (AQI) projects a color at orange level or higher.

The EPA uses a color spectrum to grade the 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.”

Younger children, elderly people, and those with respiratory problems are at a higher risk of breathing issues during Air Quality Action Days with orange or red forecasts.

The meteorological factors for Allegheny County on Saturday are a perfect storm for unhealthy air pollution when coupled, hence the Code Orange label.

Both residents and businesses are encouraged to practice safer habits that could reduce the amount of pollution:
  • 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.

___Listen to KDKA Radio on the RADIO.COM AppTell your smart speaker to "play News Radio 10 20 KDKA"Receive email updates from KDKA RadioFollow KDKA Radio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram