State issues pollution alert for Tuesday

Today is an Air Quality Action Day, with elevated ozone pollution levels expected to pose dangers to young children, elderly people and those with respiratory problems such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.

The State Department of Environmental Resources issued a “code orange” alert, with the air quality index expected to enter the range of 101 to 150 for Pittsburgh, the Liberty-Clairton area in southeastern Allegheny County and Indiana County.

Air quality is good (or green) when the index is 50 or lower; moderate (yellow) from 51 to 100; and poor (orange) at 101 to 150, when it becomes dangerous for sensitive groups. Levels from 151 to 200 (red), 201-300 (purple) and higher than 300 (brown) are unhealthy for everyone. The DEP, along with the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership, said elevated levels of ozone, a component of smog, will rise as a highpressure system extends across northeastern United States, with predominantly sunny weather approaching 90 degrees and moisture levels rising near the surface.

The department recommends that people sensitive to pollution remain indoors for protection. Raising the thermostat and limiting vehicle travel will help reduce power-plant and traffic pollution.

The government website www.airnow.gov provides updated pollution levels locally and nationwide.