Air Quality in Allegheny County and around western Pennsylvania remains polluted due to wildfire smoke from Canada.
In Allegheny County, the Health Department say that the air is “very unhealthy” at the Air Quality Program’s Parkway East monitor, Thursday afternoon. That monitor is showing an air quality index of 209, enough to move into the purple range.
The United States government website, as of 3:45 Thursday, shows Pittsburgh has the unhealthiest air in the county, with an AQI of 244.
Two others in Avalon and Lawrenceville are in the high 190s. That’s considered “unhealthy”, or red range
The county says those in a code purple region: “sensitive groups should avoid all physical activity outdoors, rescheduling activities to a time when air quality is better or moving them indoors. For the general public, residents should avoid long or intense activities, consider rescheduling them or moving them indoors.”
Those in a Code Red area: “sensitive groups, such as young children, seniors, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, should avoid long or intense outdoor activities. These individuals should consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors. For the general public, residents should reduce long or intense activities, as well as take more breaks during outdoor activities.”
See how the air is in your area but checking the Health Department’s website.
The good news, conditions are, as of Thursday afternoon, expected to continue Friday and into the weekend.