DEP Issues Code Orange Air Quality Action Day Warning For July 22 In Southeast PA

The Department of Environmental Protection forecasts a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day warning for ozone for Wednesday, July 22 in Southeast Pennsylvania: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

The Air Quality Action Day is based on DEP’s Wednesday forecast: sunshine for most of the day, with light southwest winds, high temperatures expected in the mid 90’s. These conditions will create rapid ozone formation within the Air Quality Action Day area. Any thunderstorms will not arrive until the early evening, so ozone concentrations will reach into the Code Orange range during the afternoon.

An air quality action day, which is determined based on the forecasted air quality index, means air pollutants are at unhealthy levels for vulnerable populations. 

On these 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.

Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day area are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce air pollution by: 

-- Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature;

-- Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;

-- Limiting engine idling; and

-- Refueling cars and trucks after dusk.

This forecast was issued in cooperation with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Air Quality Partnership

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

[Posted: July 21, 2020] PA Environment Digest