Published on July 16 | Updated on July 18
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Canadian wildfire smoke is gradually dissipating in the Philadelphia region. The air quality went from a "very unhealthy" Code Purple early Friday to Code Orange by Saturday.
The Code Orange Air Quality Alert comes days after air quality fluctuated between the red “unhealthy” and purple “very unhealthy” ranges. On Friday morning, the haze was thicker and darker, and the campfire odor was even stronger than it was on Thursday. Around 6 a.m., the air quality index was 262 in Philadelphia, which is considered very unhealthy for everyone. By 2:30 p.m., the air quality index dropped from Code Purple to Code Red — about 196.
By Saturday morning, the haze still lingered, with an air quality index of about 170 just before noon. Rain and thunderstorms later in the evening are expected to improve conditions and help reduce particle count in the air.
In an orange alert, air quality is still unhealthy for sensitive groups like children, the elderly and those with respiratory illnesses. They’re recommended to avoid all outdoor activity.
All residents are still recommended to move all activities indoors if possible and to avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
If it stays in orange, Philly will resume trash and recycling collection, and its pools and spraygrounds will also reopen.
“Today is not the day to start your marathon training plan,” said Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson, commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. “If you don’t need to be outside, try to limit your time out there. If you do go out, make sure to protect yourself: take frequent breaks, especially if you can get indoors, and consider wearing an N-95 or KN-95 mask.”
While conditions are “better than they have been,” Raval-Nelson said this is “a changeable situation depending on the wind pattern and other things.”
Health risks
Lankenau Medical Center pulmonologist Dr. Leah Lande said these tiny particles from the smoke can lead to serious issues.
“It can reach deep into the respiratory system and, when it does that, it can cause very significant breathing problems,” Lande told NBC10. “Wildfire smoke, if it’s less than 2.5 micrometers, can actually cross into the bloodstream and cause inflammation in the body, not just in the lungs.”
The poor air quality coincides with the heat and humidity that has settled in. Those blasting air conditioners in their cars are asked to hit the “recirculate” button so the air is not being drawn from the outside.
Stay indoors
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health said to keep indoor air clean, close all windows and doors, and switch air conditioners to recirculate mode.
The city also advised avoiding activities that create more particulate matter indoors, such as:
- Smoking and vaping
- Using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces
- Spraying aerosol products
- Frying or broiling food
- Burning candles or incense
- Vacuuming, unless you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter
City services and events
In response to the very unhealthy air, officials canceled trash and recycling pickup in Philadelphia on Friday to keep sanitation workers safe.
“We will resume trash and recycling collections once the air quality improves. We are asking residents not to put out their trash and recycling,” said Carlton Williams, director of the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives.
The sanitation convenience centers in the city remain open for trash and recycling drop-off, as the workers at those facilities can remain indoors. Trash pickup should resume at some point over the weekend, but that depends on the wind. City pools should reopen, too.
"We do plan on working all day Saturday and Sunday to ensure that last week's trash and recycling is collected in time for our services to be on a regular schedule starting on Monday," Williams said.
Pools and spraygrounds were closed on Friday. Free library locations are open for residents looking for relief from the heat and the smoke.
Meanwhile, the city is not recommending outdoor events be canceled.
The Shane Gillis show at Lincoln Financial Field still went on. The Elmwood Park Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo, and Spruce Street Harbor Park were closed Friday. On Saturday, all were back open, but the Philly Zoo postponed its Summer Ale Festival to Saturday, Aug. 22.
City expected to resume trash pickup over the weekend
City expected to resume trash pickup over the weekend
