Air Quality Unhealthy For Some Philly-Area Residents Saturday: PA DEP

PHILADELPHIA — Officials are yet again warning sensitive groups of people in the Philadelphia area of unhealthy air quality Saturday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said Saturday is a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day.

Officials said Saturday's ozone levels will reach the code orange range, meaning the air could be unhealthy to sensitive groups.

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 Saturday, the department said.

Sensitive persons should reduce prolonged outdoor activity between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday.

The combination of heat and elevated ozone will continue through the weekend, according to officials.

Sunday may see lower ozone concentrations, as the chance for thunderstorms increases, DEP officials said. A cold front coming into Pennsylvania Sunday may cause an increasing chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, officials said. While ozone may still be elevated, it will remain below the code orange range.

Better air quality is expected Monday in the wake of a cold frontal passage, but moderate conditions will return Tuesday and Wednesday.

The public is encouraged to help reduce ozone pollution by

• Driving less by carpooling or using public transportation;
• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;
• Limiting engine idling;
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk; and
• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights that are not in use.

Reducing fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) pollution in the air can be aided by:

• Limiting or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use;
• Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and
• Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.