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By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
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Millions of residents across three states have been advised to stay inside over concerns about the amount of fine particle pollution—known as PM2.5—in the atmosphere, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
These pockets of PM2.5 can be seen by the EPA’s AirNow map, which shows that levels of PM2.5 have reached an “unhealthy for sensitive groups” level in New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, as of Wednesday February 18 at 2 a.m. ET.
People in sensitive groups include the elderly, children, and those with existing heart and lung conditions.
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The NWS and EPA are urging people in these groups to limit their exposure to the polluted air by “avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.”
Which Areas Are Affected By Poor Air Quality?
According to warnings issued by the NWS and EPA, the following areas in all three states are expected to experience elevated levels of PM2.5 through Wednesday:
New York
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Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Westchester, and Rockland counties in New York have been issued air quality alerts by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, reported by the NWS.
The notice says that “When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.”
It advises that those with symptoms—which can range from coughing and eye, nose, and throat irritation to shortness of breath and chest tightness and shortness of breath— to seek medical advice.
Delaware
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The EPA’s AirNow map, which measures the air quality across America, indicates that Edgemoor, Indian Field, and parts of the Shell Road on Highway 130 are likely to experience high levels of PM2.5, particularly affecting those in sensitive groups.
Pennsylvania
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The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has issued a “code orange air quality alert” for the Philadelphia Metro area, and the EPA has highlighted that Summerdale, Northwood, and Juniata are affected.
A code orange alert means the air quality is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
It advises that “the effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has also issued an air quality alert for the Lehigh and Susquehanna Valleys and the Berks county area.
Advice For Those In Poor Air Quality Areas
In addition to avoiding outdoor activity, the EPA recommends that people in sensitive groups across affected areas take steps to keep indoor air as clean as possible, including using air filters or purifiers and avoiding candles, wood‑burning stoves, and indoor fires.
What’s Causing Poor Air Quality In New York, Pennsylvania, And Delaware
The cause of higher levels of PM2.5 hasn’t been established, but PM2.5—which is classified as tiny particles of pollution, smaller than a strand of hair—can come from a variety of sources, including smoke from wildfires or smokestacks, dust from unpaved roads or construction sites, and emissions released from vehicles or power and industrial plants.
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