Community Corner

Air Quality Action Day Declared for Saturday

See tips on how you can help reduce pollution on alert days.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Southwest PA Air Quality Partnership Inc. have declared Saturday an Air Action Quality Day in the Pittsburgh area.

On Saturday, ozone levels will reach 110 on the air quality index for ozone, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to a forecast issued by the two agencies. Particle pollution for Saturday will be moderate, reaching about 85 on the air quality index.

Higher humidity levels helped particle levels rise into the moderate range Friday. Even higher air quality levels are expected Saturday as a ridge of high pressure remains in place. Air quality levels will drop into a more healthy range later in the weekend as a cold front advances into the area.

Find out what's happening in Forest Hills-Regent Squarewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

High temperatures will approach the low 90s on Saturday. The air mass that was over the Ohio Valley region the past couple of days will migrate eastward and into the Pittsburgh area. The combination of sunny skies, warm temperatures and a more polluted air mass will force ozone levels into the Code Orange threshold and particle levels will also stay elevated.

On Sunday, a frontal system will push in from the west, driving the high pressure system east.

Find out what's happening in Forest Hills-Regent Squarewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here are some Air Quality Action Day tips you can follow to help reduce pollution:

Days when ozone levels are expected to be high:

  • Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.
  • Choose a cleaner commute—share a ride to work or use public transportation. Bicycle or walk to errands when possible.
  • Refuel cars and trucks after dusk.
  • Combine errands and reduce trips.
  • Limit engine idling.
  • Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum, or try to delay using them when poor air quality is forecast.

Days when particle pollution levels are expected to be high:

  • Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
  • Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
  • Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.

For more information on the health effects of particle pollution and ozone, visit the EPA Airnow website.

To see the current forecast and monitoring information for the Southwest PA Region, visit PA DEP Forecast and Monitoring Site.

To find out more information about the Southwest PA Air Quality Partnership, Inc, visit the SPAQP Website.

For more information on the U.S. EPA's AIRNow Program, visit http://www.airnow.gov

Related Topics: Air Quality AlertOzone Alert DayPennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Southwest PA Air Quality Partnership


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