Tag: climate change

bookmark_borderHold Your Breath on Philly Air Quality

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The American Lung Association has released it’s annual report on air quality. Philadelphia ranked among the worst cities.

“If you live in Philadelphia County, the air you breathe may put your health at risk. ”

Ozone received a failing grade of “F”. “Tropospheric ozone is formed by the interaction of sunlight, particularly ultraviolet light, with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which are emitted by automobiles, gasoline vapors, fossil fuel power plants, refineries, and certain other industries.” — National Center for Atmospheric Research

Groups At Risk
Total Population: 1,536,471
Pediatric Asthma: 34,703
Adult Asthma: 110,641
COPD: 72,503
Cardiovascular Disease: 369,110
Diabetes: 97,274
Children Under 18: 345,974
Adults 65 & Over: 186,055
Poverty Estimate: 414,826

You can make a difference in the air that you breathe.
See: Tropospheric Ozone = Bad Ozone, The Ozone Know Zone, and Gasoline Plus Ethanol Equals Bad Ozone

bookmark_borderThundersnow Record Winter

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PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia region has been experiencing a record breaking winter. The number and size of the snowfalls have set several records. There has also been a wide variety of storms: snow storms, ice storms, and thundersnow. The ice storm in early February was a record breaker for people that lost electricity. Some people also experienced the longest length of time without power.

Storm on February 13, 2014
Storm on February 13, 2014

bookmark_borderOzone Action Day in Philadelphia

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PHILADELPHIA, PA — It is rare to have an ozone action day in Philadelphia in December, but that is the status for December 4, 2013. (source)

Government Warning: Data courtesy of: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Government Warning:
Data courtesy of: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

What does this mean to you? If you live within the Greater Philadelphia Region, DO NOT BREATH. Breathing may be hazardous to your health.

Air Quality on December 3, 2012 at 10:00PM in Philadelphia, PA
Air Quality on December 3, 2012 at 10:00PM in Philadelphia, PA

About Ozone and Your Lungs

ozone action day
Web definitions
  1. An Ozone Action Day, which can be declared by a local municipality, county or state, is observed at certain times during the summer months, when weather conditions run the risk of causing health problems. …

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_Action_Day

Forecast Discussion: Wednesday will be an Air Quality Action Day for the Philadelphia metropolitan region. It will be unseasonably warm. Rising atmospheric humidity, with partly cloudy skies, will promote particle formation. Stagnation overnight and through the morning rush hour provided by calm winds and a shallow boundary layer will allow pollutants to accumulate. Surface winds from the south/southeast will pick up in the afternoon, but they will be insufficient to adequately ventilate the atmosphere. As a result, particle concentrations will average in the low Code Orange range. Extended Forecast: A slow-moving cold front will approach from the west on Thursday. Unseasonably warm and humid conditions will continue. Stronger south/southwesterly winds in the afternoon ahead of the front will provide enough ventilation to drop particle concentrations into the Moderate range. Particle concentrations will decrease further on Friday but remain in the Moderate range as the air mass is slow to change behind the frontal passage. -Huff