PA air quality update: Eight-hour workday outdoors equivalent to smoking 2 cigarettes

Continued smoke and haze from wildfires in Canada permeating much of the Northeast and other parts of the U.S. means a second “Code Red” day for air quality in State College and much of Pennsylvania.

The Keystone State, which experienced similar conditions about three weeks ago, returned to the Code Red category Wednesday after officials issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day Tuesday.

As of 10 a.m. Thursday, airnow.gov showed an air quality index score of 184 for State College, labeled “unhealthy,” but with an expectation the rating would fall to yellow, or moderate, by Friday.

In a Wednesday afternoon release from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the agency declared Thursday would be a Code Red Air Quality Action Day due to the fire particulates in the air and cautioned individuals to limit their time outside.

“Fine particulate matter (or PM-2.5) comes in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, or fires,” the agency wrote. “Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (called “precursors”), which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries, and automobiles.”

Under the standardized air quality index, red it the third highest level.

What does the poor air quality in Pennsylvania mean for me?

An eight-hour workday spent outdoors during Thursday’s conditions is the equivalent to smoking almost two cigarettes, one air quality calculator indicates. That’s calculated using Thursday’s API of 184 in State College.

At 12 hours outdoors, that jumps to 2.8 cigarettes, and at 24 hours, you will have been exposed to the equivalent of 5.6 cigarettes.

In the Wednesday release, the state DEP reiterated those most at risk during code red conditions include children, elderly adults and those with respiratory conditions. These groups should especially avoid outdoor activity, but all individuals should limit outdoor exercise.

Individuals looking to mask to protect themselves should look for “particulate respirators” to combat breathing in the smoke.

This story was originally published June 29, 2023 at 11:12 AM.