High Pollution Levels Call For Staying Indoors, DEP Says

CHESTER COUNTY —Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection declared an Air Quality Action Day Wednesday due to high levels of pollutants in the ozone level.

The declaration represents unhealthy pollution levels.

Young children, elderly and those with respiratory problems are urged to stay indoors when an Air Quality Action Day is declared.

Here are some tips for reducing ozone pollution:

• 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 air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights that are not in use.

Here are some tips for reducing fine particulate matter pollution:

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

This air quality forecast was prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Current air quality monitoring data for the Philadelphia Area and other locations across Pennsylvania can be found at the EPA’s AirNow Interactive Map.