An air quality alert is in effect through Sunday night for several counties in central Pa., which means there will be an increase in fine particulate matter in the air.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection declared Sunday a “Code Orange Air Quality Action Day” in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lebanon, Lancaster and York counties.
The term “code orange” relates to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s air quality index: green is good air quality, yellow is moderate air quality, orange is unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups, and red is unhealthy pollution levels for all. The state automatically declares an Air Quality Action Day when the air quality is forecasted to be orange or higher.
Sensitive groups of people who are impacted when the air quality is orange include children, older adults and those with respiratory conditions like asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. These groups should avoid heavy outdoor activity on Sunday while the air quality alert is in effect.
Residents and businesses can help reduce fine particular matter during the air quality alert by reducing fireplace and wood stove use, avoiding open burning of leaves and trash and avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
Air quality should improve late Sunday evening when a cold front passes, increasing surface flow and dispersing fine particulate matter.
You can check the current air quality in your area at airnow.gov.