Code Orange air quality alert issued for parts of Allegheny County

High air pollution could impact sensitive groups of people Monday in several counties across the region, including communities in Allegheny County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

The department issued a Code Orange air quality alert for fine particulate matter, with the highest hourly concentrations likely occurring before 11 a.m. The alert impacts the Liberty-Clairton area of Allegheny County, including Clairton, Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln and Port Vue. Other impacted counties include Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York.

According to a news release from the department, a strong temperature inversion — when the surface level of the atmosphere cools to a lower temperature than the air above it — with light or calm wind could contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range.

Fine particulate matter can be inhaled and may contain hundreds of different chemicals, according to Allegheny County.

A Code Orange alert means there are unhealthy pollution levels for young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems like asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.

Those living in areas impacted by the alert are encouraged to reduce or eliminate the use of fireplaces and wood stoves; avoid the open burning of leaves, trash and other materials; and avoid use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment for the extent of the warning.

DEP Declares Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulate Matter for Monday, November 8, 2021, in Susquehanna Valley Area and Liberty-Clairton Area of Allegheny County: https://t.co/k5ClY7TAVP pic.twitter.com/RCAfPFybrH

— PA Department of Environmental Protection (@PennsylvaniaDEP) November 7, 2021