Philadelphia and South Jersey Face Health Risks as Air Quality Worsens Amid Heat and Wildfire Smoke

Air Quality Alert Issued Across the Region

Residents across the Philadelphia metro area and much of South Jersey are being urged to take precautions after officials issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Thursday. The warning comes as temperatures soar to 90 degrees, skies remain sunny, and pollutants from Canadian wildfires drift into the region.

Affected areas in Pennsylvania include Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. In South Jersey, the alert extends to Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, and Mercer counties.

What a Code Orange Really Means

A Code Orange classification signals that air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. These include young children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

While the general public may not feel the effects immediately, those with health vulnerabilities are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activity, especially during afternoon hours, when pollution levels are expected to peak.

The Cause Behind the Alert

The alert is a result of high heat combined with increased airborne pollutants, worsened by smoke drifting from ongoing wildfires in Canada. These particles linger in the atmosphere and, when mixed with urban smog under hot, stagnant conditions, lead to elevated ground-level ozone — a primary pollutant in poor air quality.

Officials say that these conditions can aggravate lungs, trigger asthma attacks, and reduce lung function, particularly in children and seniors.

Steps You Can Take to Stay Safe

To reduce exposure and help lower pollution levels, residents are encouraged to:

Stay indoors during peak hours, especially if part of a vulnerable group.

Use air conditioning and air purifiers if available.

Avoid burning candles or wood indoors, which can add to indoor air pollution.

Limit driving by combining errands or carpooling.

Do not idle vehicles unnecessarily, as this contributes directly to pollution.

Officials emphasize that even small behavioral changes can make a noticeable difference in improving air quality during high-alert days.

Additional Alerts Already in Effect

While Thursday’s alert covers a wide area, air quality concerns began earlier in some parts of the region. Mercer, Camden, and Gloucester counties in New Jersey were already under a Code Orange Alert on Wednesday, prompting early advisories for those areas.

With weather patterns expected to remain unchanged in the short term, residents should stay informed through local updates and monitor air quality indices before planning outdoor activities.

Air quality alerts like these serve as a critical reminder of the interconnectedness between climate, environment, and health. As wildfires continue to burn far from the region, their impact is still felt in the air that millions breathe daily.

Communities across the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas are urged to take the alert seriously, protect those most at risk, and contribute to reducing environmental stress by adopting more sustainable habits — even on a local level.