DEP issues air-quality action day alert
Fayette County continued to be under an air-quality action day alert Monday, issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as heat and humidity affect the region.
The alert was part of a larger forecast for different parts of the state that was originally issued for Saturday and Sunday and later extended to Monday, explained Kevin Sunday, deputy press secretary for the DEP.
Sunday said, “We are seeing improved air quality in the state in recent years. Natural gas, a clean-burning fuel, is being used more to make electricity and is also making headway in the transportation sector. Solar, wind and nuclear are also growing parts of our energy portfolio here in Pennsylvania.”
He continued, “In most counties, cars are the No. 1 source of emissions and, as technology improves, these vehicles are also running cleaner. Ozone itself isn’t what gets emitted from power plants and cars — it’s nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds that mix with the sun to form ground-level ozone. Typically, we see elevated ozone levels in the summer when there is high pressure that keeps the air in place, allowing these ‘precursors’ compounds to mix with the sun to form ozone.”
Lee Hendricks, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, explained an alert ”generally comes with hot weather, increasing humidity and no rain.”
Thunderstorms hit the area Monday afternoon, providing some relief. The National Weather Service called for temperatures in the mid-80s through Thursday for this area. There is a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms today, 30 percent chance on Wednesday and a 50 percent chance on Thursday.
In a press release, the DEP explained, “On air-quality action days, young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.”
No public shelters have been opened in the area because of the heat.
Susan Griffith, public information officer for Fayette County Emergency Management Agency, said, “We have no requests and there is no need at this time. We’re just encouraging everyone to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.”
She said that senior citizen centers and high-rises are generally air-conditioned, taking care of an at-risk population that the agency is concerned about.
Dr. Jeffrey Frye, medical director of the department of emergency medicine at Uniontown Hospital, said he worked Sunday when a larger proportion than normal of the patients who came in had respiratory complaints.
“With the dry weather we’ve had, there’s more pollen and particulates in the air,” he said, explaining this combination does not make for good respiratory conditions.
During the alert, Frye recommends staying indoors in air conditioning. Anyone with a history of chronic lung problems should have a spare inhaler if possible. Drink plenty of fluids.
Frye, who grew up on a farm, said people should follow the same suggestions for their pets. Keep outdoor animals in places where they can get shade and have access to water.
The DEP also noted in its press release, “To help keep the air healthy, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily limit certain pollution-producing activities by refueling cars and trucks after dusk, conserve energy in your home and business and limit engine idling.”