OCDEL Provides Information for Educators on Air Quality Warnings

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released some tips for child care providers and early educators on what to do during air quality warnings.

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OCDEL receives guidance from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on air quality and when it is appropriate to take children outside during air quality warnings.

Although it is important for children to go outside daily, keeping them indoors when outdoor air quality is unsafe protects them from breathing pollutants.

Outdoor air pollutants include:

• Wildfire smoke containing toxic gases and particles

• Industrial, construction, or traffic-related pollution

• High pollen levels

Child care providers need to know when daily or hourly air quality is unsafe for outdoor play. Poor air quality can cause breathing problems, especially for children with asthma and allergies.

Providers should check the Air Quality Index before allowing children to play outside. The colors in the chart include:

• Green - good air quality

• Yellow - moderate

• Orange - unhealthy for sensitive groups (such as those with asthma)

• Red - unhealthy

• Purple - very unhealthy

• Maroon - hazardous