DEP Issues Code Orange Air Quality Action Day For Saturday, July 20 In Southeast PA

The Department of Environmental Protection and Air Quality Partnership for the Delaware Valley have forecast a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone for Saturday, July 20 in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

On Saturday, mostly sunny skies and high temperatures close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit will result in robust ozone formation leading to concentrations in the code ORANGE range. DEP will continue to monitor the situation tomorrow, and further action day issuances will be sent as needed.

On air quality action days, young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standardized air quality index uses colors to report daily air quality. Green signifies good; yellow means moderate; orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive people; and red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.

To help keep the air healthy, residents and business are encouraged to voluntarily restrict certain pollution-producing activities by:

-- Refueling cars and trucks after dusk;

-- Setting air conditioner thermostats to a higher temperature;

-- Carpooling or using public transportation; and 

-- Combining errands to reduce trips. 

These forecasts are provided in conjunction with DEP’s regional air quality partnerships, including the Air Quality Partnership for the Delaware Valley. 

Visit DEP’s Air Quality Partnerships webpage for more information on air quality across Pennsylvania.