The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality alert for today that includes Berks and Lehigh counties.
The department declared a Code Orange alert for ozone. The alert also covers Northampton, Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties.
Officials said mostly sunny skies and highs around 90 degrees today will contribute to ozone buildups during the afternoon in the Susquehanna Valley and Lehigh Valley.
Sensitive groups including children, older adults and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis should avoid heavy outdoor activity during that time.
young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems,, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.
You can check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in your area.
Ozone is formed when airborne chemicals such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds called precursors react with sunlight.
High ozone levels are most common during summer months when there are long days with plentiful sunshine and high levels of ozone precursors combine, officials said.
Although ozone precursors are most often generated by car exhaust and industrial air emissions, wildfire smoke can provide additional precursors. Ozone pollution is most common in densely populated areas with higher amounts of car exhaust and industrial air emissions.
Residents and businesses within the alert area are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce ozone air pollution by:
• Driving less by carpooling or using public transportation.
• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips.
• Limiting engine idling.
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk.
• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights that are not in use.