DEP Issues Code Orange Air Quality Action Day Warning For July 30 In Southeast PA

The Department of Environmental Protection forecasts a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day warning for ozone for Thursday, July 30 in Southeast Pennsylvania: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

The Air Quality Action Day is based on DEP’s Thursday forecast: mostly sunny skies, light southwesterly winds, and temperatures moving into the mid-90s. These conditions, combined with higher weekday emissions, will create significant ozone formation within the Air Quality Action Day area, with Code Orange concentrations in 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 29, 2020] PA Environment Digest