The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter across Pennsylvania today.

Smoke from wildfires is expected to impact Pennsylvania air quality throughout will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range today.

Residents are encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area.

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. 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.

On a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

Residents are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:

• Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

For more information, visit DEP at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/AQPartnersWeb, EPA’s AirNow at www.airnow.gov, Allegheny County Health Department at www.alleghenycounty.us/airquality, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Air Quality Partnership at www.airqualitypartnership.org, Air Quality Partnership of Lehigh Valley-Berks at www.airqualityaction.org, and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership at www.spaqp.org.