HARRISBURG - The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships have forecast an air quality action day for Thursday, in several areas of the state, particularly around larger metro areas.

Due to warm temperatures and high humidity levels, the air quality forecast predicts Thursday will be code ORANGE for elevated ozone levels.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standardized air quality index uses colors to report daily air quality (green signifies good, yellow means moderate, orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive people, and red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all). Air quality action days are declared at orange and red when ozone or fine particulate matter reaches unhealthy levels.

Ground-level ozone, a key component of smog, forms during warm weather when pollution from vehicles, industry, households and power plants “bakes” in the hot sun, making it hard for some people to breathe.

On air quality action days, young children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

To help keep the air healthy, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily limit certain pollution-producing activities by taking the following steps:

• Ride the bus or carpool to work;
• Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials;
• Wash dishes and clothes with full loads;  
• Save energy — do not overcool your home.