Code orange air quality alert under effect for Philadelphia and Southwest PA

(WPHL) — The Philadelphia area and several southwest Pennsylvania counties are currently under a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for June 12.

Due to the Canadian wildfires and high temperatures reaching 90 degrees, “Southwest winds will act to produce significant ozone concentrations reaching Code Orange levels”, says the Department of Environmental Protection.

The Air Quality alert covers Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, and the southwest Pennsylvania counties (Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler, Armstrong, Washington, and Fayette).  

“Sensitive individuals of the population should take precautions and limit outdoor activity during the afternoon.”

Ozone is created when nitrogen oxides and organic compounds such as car exhaust, smoke, and air emissions react with sunlight.

Young children, elderly people, and those with respiratory problems should limit outdoor activities.

Residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce ozone air 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,
• Conserving electricity by setting the air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights that are not in use.

You can monitor the air quality HERE.