(WHTM)– Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota has blown its way across the country, impacting several states in the northeast, including Pennsylvania.
Central Pennsylvania certainly isn’t the worst in the nation, as states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are seeing some of the worst air quality in the world, but some areas are being impacted more than others.
These US cities have the world’s worst air quality as wildfire smoke settles in
The Environmental Protection Agency’s U.S. Air Quality Index provides an interactive map showing where air quality is worst across the country, and parts of central Pennsylvania have it worse than others.
The interactive map bases its quality level on a color scale: green means good, and maroon means hazardous.
Right now, Harrisburg and much of York and Lancaster sit in the orange range, meaning that the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive people. According to the American Lung Association, people in this group include those with lung and heart disease, pregnant people, people with diabetes, children, and older adults.
Most of the state west of Harrisburg is in the yellow category, meaning the air quality is moderate.
Communities east of Strasburg, Lancaster County, are in the red, meaning the air quality is unhealthy. According to AirNow, an unhealthy area means that some members of the general public may experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.
The American Lung Association advises the public to avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high. A full list of tips can be viewed online.
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