'Code Orange' Air Quality Alert Issued for Saucon Valley Area

The Saucon Valley area is part of an area that is under a Code Orange air quality alert Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The air quality alert was issued Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for both the Lehigh Valley and Berks County.

"A Code Orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups," a statement said. "Sensitive groups include children...people suffering from asthma...heart disease or other lung diseases...and the elderly." 

"The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors," the statement also said.

More information about ground-level ozone and fine particles is available online at www.Airnow.Gov.

Photo: The sunset Tuesday along Emaus Avenue in South Allentown was enhanced by a higher than normal concentration of air pollution in the Lehigh Valley area.