Green

Good

Yellow

Moderate

Orange

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

Red

Unhealthy

Purple

Very Unhealthy

Maroon

Hazardous

GOOD OZONE:  occurs 10 - 30 miles above the Earth and shields us from ultraviolet rays

BAD OZONE:  occurs in the Earth's lower atmosphere;  formed when pollutants are created by the overall support networks of mans life and other sources that react chemically in the presence of sunlight.  Ozone pollution is a concern during the summer months when lots of sun and hot temperatures combine to form ground level ozone. 

The Ozone Action Partnership is a coalition of businesses, government and civic organizations in Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties that commit time and resources to educating citizens about ground-level ozone - one of our region's most pressing environmental problems. Poor air quality in a region can threaten the health of residents and the economy. If Pennsylvania violates federal standards for ground-level ozone, we could face control measures that would make it difficult to attract new business and jobs. To protect our health and the economy, the partnership calls for 'Ozone Action Days' when our region of the state may exceed the federal standard. On these days, the partnership encourages everyone to take simple, voluntary actions to help reduce ground-level ozone. In addition to this program, Pennsylvania has three other ozone action partnerships: one in Central Pennsylvania, one in the Pittsburgh area, and the Multi-state Ozone Action Partnership in the Philadelphia area.