Several western Pennsylvania counties, including Butler, are under an Air Quality Alert on Tuesday.
This means there could potentially be dangerous levels of pollutants in the air bought on by a strong ridge of high pressure with light winds, sunshine and unseasonably warm air in the middle to upper 80s, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The conditions will bring ozone concentrations to the code Orange level.
Young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, including asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, should limit their time outdoors because they are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.
To help keep the air healthy, residents and business are encouraged to voluntarily restrict certain pollution-producing activities by:
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk
• Setting air conditioner thermostats to a higher temperature
• Carpooling or using public transportation; and
• Combining errands to reduce trips.
Conditions are expected to improve by Thursday when a cold front is due in. The Cold Orange Air Quality Action Day has been issued for Butler, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Armstrong and Fayette counties.