The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships have announced that an air quality action day is forecast today in the Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and south central Susquehanna Valley regions.

The forecast says today will be code orange for fine particulate matter in the Pittsburgh and Susquehanna Valley areas.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standardized air quality index uses colors to report daily air quality (green signifies good, yellow means moderate, orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive people, and red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all). Air quality action days are declared at orange and red when fine particulate matter reaches unhealthy levels.

On air quality action days, young children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems, including asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

To help keep the air healthy, residents and businesses are asked to take the following steps: Ride the bus or car pool to work; avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials; wash dishes and clothes with full loads; and save energy -- do not overcool your home.