Allegheny County Again Gets F in “State of the Air” Report, Remains Among Top 10 Most Polluted Cities


 

The American Lung Association’s 2020 “State of the Air” report once again gives Allegheny County a failing grade when it comes to air quality.

The 21st annual air quality “report card”  tracks Americans’ exposure to unhealthful levels of ozone and particle pollution, both of which can be deadly. This year’s report covers the most recent quality-assured air quality data available in 2016-2018. 

Here are the key takeaways about our area:

“While our overall ranking has improved slightly, at the end of the day our region is still failing – an F is an F — and that is unacceptable,” said Rachel Filippini Executive Director of GASP. “Unfortunately, nothing in this report should come as a surprise to local residents or the Allegheny County Health Department. Locally, ACHD knows what needs to be done: It can improve air quality by revising the County’s coke oven regulations and developing strong regulations that impose corrective action requirements on industry during short-term pollution events.”

Get all the details, ACHD's response, along with links to all associated news stories on our blog.

The GASP Guide to Celebrating Earth Week 2020


 

This week we’re celebrating an important milestone: The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day here in the United States! For those who might not be familiar, the holiday was the brainchild of Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a staunch environmentalist who hoped to provide unity to the grassroots environmental movement while also increasing awareness of ecological issues.

To honor the occasion, your friends at GASP put together eight ways to celebrate this week:

1. Take a hike and enjoy some sunshine, blue skies, and budding plants. While you’re out, see if you can spot lichen, which can tell you a little bit about your local air quality. Never heard of it? No worries, our Education and Events Coordinator Chelsea put together this video to give you the skinny.

2. Grab some popcorn and tune into a recording of Pittsburgh’s Earth Week Teach-in. Originally broadcast this past Sunday, the program includes several hours of education, interviews, and more. Peruse all the videos on YouTube.

3. Sign our petition imploring the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) to apply for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant for more benzene monitoring. By way of background: ACHD air quality monitor data show the concentration of benzene, a cancer-causing air toxic, is above the acceptable risk levels for ambient air. You can learn more about the dangers of benzene and sign our petition here. 

4. Learn more about memorable Earth Day milestones in this story by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Don Hopey.

5. Break out the crayons and take a color break! Our friends at PennEnvironment have nature-themed, printable coloring pages on their website. 

6. Show a little love to Mother Nature by taking a walk around your neighborhood and picking up litter (with gloves and a mask if you’ll be around people, of course).

7. Check out the myriad activities on the Pittsburgh Earth Day website. There’s a plant-based recipe contest, a recycled design contest, and much, much more.

8. Become a clean air advocate by joining GASP! Here’s how.