The PA Department of Environmental Protection’s Code Purple Air Quality alert will continue until midnight tonight, with not only vulnerable populations affected, but it being unhealthy for everyone.
Smoke from wildfires in Canada has been drifting down to Pennsylvania over the last 24 hours, causing hazy conditions, and symptoms consistent with fine particulate pollution. IRMC Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician Dr. Patrick Neilan equated the pollution level in the air is equal to putting the smoke from one cigarette into your lungs each day. He added that sensitive populations, including those with respiratory problems and the very young and the elderly may see some of the effects lingering into the days after the smoke clears.
The smoke is expected to leave the area tonight and tomorrow, with rainfall coming on Saturday to give relief to the heat wave that has hit the area this week.
