Mon Valley air pollution alert comes to an end

The recent Mon Valley air pollution alert that was in effect over the Thanksgiving holiday has ended, with Allegheny County officials determining the air quality index now reading within acceptable levels.

The alert started Wednesday and continued through the weekend, although it was downgraded Friday from a warning to a watch.

At 6 a.m. Sunday, the reading of fine particulate matter was in the moderate level. Current air quality readings and forecasts can be found at the county’s air quality site.

On Wednesday, officials had said a strong weather inversion with light winds would permit fine particle matter pollution to build overnight.

During such events, young children, seniors, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.