Smoke pushes air quality into unhealthy range
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LEWISTOWN -- Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota pushed Lewistown's air quality into the unhealthy range Friday afternoon, leading a Geisinger lung specialist to urge people to stay indoors and avoid outdoor exercise.
AirNow reported an Air Quality Index of 197 in Lewistown at 2 p.m. Friday, placing conditions in the red, or unhealthy, category. PM2.5, fine particles that can travel deep into the lungs, was the main pollutant.
Dr. Sean Devine, director of pulmonary medicine at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, said everyone should take precautions when air quality is unhealthy, including people without heart or lung disease.
Devine said people should avoid going outside when possible. Those who must work outdoors should take added precautions.
"If you have to be outside, I recommend an N95 mask," he said. "You shouldn't exercise outside in these conditions."
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a statewide Code Purple Air Quality Alert for Friday as smoke moved into the state from wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota. Code Purple represents very unhealthy air quality.
Lewistown's reading of 197 remained in the red category, four points below the Code Purple threshold, though readings can change as winds shift and smoke concentrations rise or fall.
The National Weather Service in State College included Mifflin and Juniata counties in the alert. Forecasters expected the smoke to linger into early Saturday before moving northeast of central Pennsylvania.
The worst air quality was expected from Friday afternoon through early Saturday morning, with conditions improving by Saturday afternoon.
More near-surface smoke could return from the Great Lakes on Sunday, bringing renewed haze and reduced air quality, according to the weather service.
The weather service advised everyone to limit strenuous outdoor activity. DEP urged all residents to avoid long or intense outdoor activities and move them indoors when possible.
Children and older adults, along with people who have heart or lung conditions, were advised to avoid outdoor activity.
Devine said people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, face some of the greatest risks from PM2.5. The particles measure 2.5 micrometers or smaller and can aggravate lung and heart conditions.
Devine advised people to pay attention to new symptoms rather than dismissing them as a temporary reaction to the haze.
Chest discomfort, wheezing, shortness of breath, or falling oxygen levels are "all signs that you need to seek medical attention," Devine said.
Guidance issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health during the 2023 Canadian wildfire-smoke emergency also identified pregnant people and outdoor workers as higher-risk groups. Officials recommended closing windows and doors, moving physical activity indoors, and limiting time outside.
Portable air cleaners can help, and dirty filters should be cleaned or replaced. People should also avoid smoking and burning candles indoors because both add particles to the air.
Staying indoors reduces exposure, Devine said, though window units may filter less smoke than central air systems. Window-unit filters should be kept clean.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises people with window air conditioners to close the outdoor-air damper and seal gaps around the unit. People shouldn't use a window unit during smoky conditions if its outdoor-air damper can't be closed.
Central air systems should be set to recirculate, and portable air cleaners should be placed in rooms where people spend the most time.
The smoke also disrupted activities in nearby Centre County. The State College Spikes canceled Thursday night's game against the Williamsport Crosscutters because of air-quality concerns.
Tussey Mountain postponed WingFest and closed its Fun Centre and Beer Garden on Thursday because of the poor air quality.
Residents planning to attend outdoor events this weekend should check with organizers for cancelations or schedule changes before leaving home.
The DEP asked people to avoid gas-powered lawn equipment and outdoor burning because both add fine particles to the air.
The agency encouraged people to check AirNow.gov before spending extended time outside because readings can change by the hour. Smoke may remain visible even after conditions improve.
Devine said people can resume normal outdoor activities once air quality returns to a safe range for them. Anyone who still has symptoms should limit exercise and seek medical advice.