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Pa. measures air quality with colors. Here’s what they mean

Air quality reached red, purple and maroon levels in different parts of Pennsylvania on Thursday.

By Rachel McDevitt

Central Pa. air quality worsens in one measure for third straight year

The new State of the Air report from the American Lung Association finds the Harrisburg area worsened in daily particle pollution for the third straight year.

By Rachel McDevitt

In Pa. cities, street trees can help cool ever-hotter temps. But they present their own problems to solve

Places like Harrisburg are planting more trees to improve the urban canopy. But if roots of trees buckle a sidewalk, for example, a homeowner is on the hook — which leads some to resist.

By Adriana Delagarza

Even moderate air pollution in Allegheny County raises ER visits for kids with asthma, study finds

Even moderate amounts of air pollution increase the number of children going to emergency rooms for asthma in Allegheny County, a new study finds. 

By Reid Frazier

Pennsylvania air quality shows little improvement in latest State of the Air report

Even though the new review includes data from 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic limited travel, there wasn’t a significant improvement in air quality.

By Rachel McDevitt

Updated: 2021-11-15 12:59:00

GOP lawmakers push for more say on air quality advisory board

The measure in the state Senate would give the legislature more say on who serves on the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee.

By Rachel McDevitt


Has the pandemic cleaned up our air? Answers could lie on your doorstep

Fewer cars, less coal-powered electricity, and industrial shutdowns combined with a cool and breezy spring has improved air quality in many areas.

By Susan Phillips

American Lung Association’s latest air quality report claims climate change will make it harder to protect health

Pennsylvania areas showed some improvement in the report, but air quality in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas remains poor.

By Rachel McDevitt
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