Allegheny County Health Department Issues Mon Valley Episode Warning

Published on July 16, 2026

Allegheny County Health Department Issues Mon Valley Episode Warning

PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department has issued An Air Pollution Episode Warning for the Mon Valley. This is in addition to the recent press release on the Code Maroon Air Quality Warning.

The warning was issued because 24-hour PM2.5 standard for the Mon Valley has been exceeded at an official monitoring station in the Mon Valley and is likely to continue for the next 24 hours.

Companies in the Mon Valley contributing to pollution are required to temporarily reduce activities that produce emissions.

PM 2.5 is a type of particle pollution that comes from many different sources. Fine particles (2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller) come from power plants, industrial processes, vehicle tailpipes, woodstoves, and wildfires.

Particle pollution causes several serious health problems, including coughing, wheezing, reduced lung function, asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes. It also is linked to early death in people with heart or lung disease.

Get the latest local updates on air quality by enrolling in Allegheny Alerts for free.

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The Allegheny County Health Department's mission is to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of the more than 1.2 million people who call Allegheny County home.

Media inquiries may be directed to Ronnie Das,
Public Information Officer for the Health Department,
at ronnie.das@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-578-7991.