Air Quality Action Days are basically the new, improved version of Ozone Action Days. An Air Quality Action Day alert is issued when ozone concentrations, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide reach unhealthy levels. The forecast features the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standardized Air Quality Index (AQI) that uses color to represent ozone concentrations: green signifies good, yellow means moderate, orange represents unhealthy ozone levels for sensitive people, and red warns of unhealthy ozone levels for everyone.
Ground-level ozone, a key component of smog, forms during warm weather when pollution from vehicles, industry, households and power plants “bakes” in the hot sun, making it hard for some people to breathe. Young children, the elderly, people with asthma or other lung ailments, and those who work or exercise regularly outdoors are most susceptible to the harmful effects of ground-level ozone.
Some tips to follow during high ozone days include the following:
- Refuel vehicles after dark. Avoid spilling gasoline and stop fueling when the pump shuts off automatically.
- Conserve energy. Don’t overcool homes. Turn off lights and appliances that are not in use. Wash clothes and dishes only in full loads.
- Limit daytime driving. Consider carpooling or taking public transportation. Properly maintain vehicles, which also helps to save fuel.
- Limit outdoor activities such as mowing the lawn or sports to the evening hours.
- Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.
Pennsylvania residents can receive early warnings about bad air days by signing up to receive DEP’s free daily ozone forecasts by e-mail. Those in southwestern Pennsylvania who do not have Internet access can call the partnership’s toll-free ozone hotline at 1-800-333-7688.
