At GASP, we’ve long believed our strength lies in the people who help us fight for cleaner air in southwestern Pennsylvania. Today, we are absolutely THRILLED to introduce two incredible new additions to our Board of Directors: Dr. Rachel Wojcik  and Dr. Nesta Bortey-Sam . Additionally, two board members – Kate St. John and Marla Ferency – were re-elected. “Both Rachel and Nesta bring a wealth of scientific and medical expertise that will be invaluable as we continue to push for better air quality and public health protections in our region,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. GASP President Jonathan Nadle agrees Rachel and Nesta are great additions to the board, adding, “They also are really nice people.  It’s been a pleasure getting to know them and we look forward to having a long, productive relationship.”   Meet Nesta Bortey-Sam Nesta is a powerhouse in the world of toxicology and public health. He serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. His work is all about the how and why —specifically, how environmental exposures lead to disease.  Nesta is part of a team studying how indoor and outdoor pollutants affect asthma severity right here in Allegheny County. He’s using advanced techniques to track pollutants back to their sources, helping us understand exactly what is in our air. Another major focus of his research involves prenatal exposure to toxins and how they affect birth outcomes and long-term health. Meet Rachel Wojcik If there’s anyone who understands the direct impact of air quality on our lungs, it’s a pulmonary specialist. Rachel is a physician and clinician-educator specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine. After completing medical school at the University of Colorado, she moved to Pittsburgh for her residency and fellowship training—and we are so glad she stayed! She is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical medicine and environmental advocacy. Her goal is to bring vital education regarding air pollution and climate change to fellow physicians and the local community. “As southwestern Pennsylvania continues to face unique air quality challenges, having a board that combines medical frontline experience with cutting-edge toxicological research ensures that GASP remains a leader in science-based advocacy,” Campbell added. Please join us in giving Rachel and Nesta a big, warm welcome to the team. We can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make.

GASP on Wednesday attended the Allegheny County Board of Health meeting to ask members to use their authority to push the Allegheny County Executive's office to update the Air Pollution Control Advisory Committee. Here's what our Executive Director Patrick Campbell said: Good afternoon. My name is Patrick Campbell, Executive Director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing healthy air quality since 1969. I appreciate the chance to speak with you today because we share a common goal: ensuring strong and effective oversight of air quality in Allegheny County. Right now, the Air Advisory Committee is in a difficult position. Every member is serving on an expired term, and the committee has not met since late last year. This uncertainty has limited its ability to function as intended— as a vital link bridging technical expertise, community voices, and policy. Over the past year, the committee often lacked a quorum and struggled to advance recommendations. While we understand the need for diverse representation—including public health experts, industry, and impacted communities—the current roster appears weighted toward industry, which raises concerns about balance and credibility. GASP respectfully urges the Board of Health to use its authority to encourage the County Executive’s office to prioritize these appointments and restore the committee’s effectiveness. We believe this is an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and ensure the advisory process reflects the broad interests of our community. Please know that GASP stands ready to assist in any way—whether through outreach, technical input, or supporting recruitment efforts. Thank you for your time and for your commitment to protecting public health. Stay tuned! We continue to follow this issue closely and will keep you posted!

As we continue to advocate for a cleaner, safer Mon Valley, the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) is keeping a close eye on the fallout from the deadly August 2025 explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works . In case you missed it, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) published an interim report following that issued interim safety recommendations to the company. You can read the entire document here  (and we totally recommend that you do). For those who’d prefer the Clif’s Notes, here’s a breakdown of what the investigators found and why it matters for our community. The CSB’s findings are…sobering. The explosion happened when coke oven gas leaked and ignited in a transfer area. The board found that the buildings where workers were stationed—including control rooms and break rooms—were simply not designed to protect people from such a blast.   The CSB has issued two main interim fixes: What’s most frustrating for those of us following U.S. Steel’s safety record is that these aren't necessarily new ideas. The CSB pointed out that industry-standard safety practices for what’s known as facility siting—essentially making sure workers aren't sitting ducks in a blast zone—have existed for YEARS. In fact, the document notes that some of these specific safety recommendations were, in fact, suggested in the past. Despite those warnings, U.S. Steel management didn't enact those recommended changes. Here are the receipts: Now, in the wake of a tragedy, the company has already started rebuilding gas piping in almost the exact same location and layout as before. They are also moving control rooms only about 100 feet away—a move the CSB says might not actually be safe without a real evaluation. At GASP, we know that worker safety and environmental safety go hand-in-hand. These incidents often lead to massive releases of pollutants and emergency flaring that bypasses pollution controls. We’re glad to see the CSB stepping in, but it shouldn't take a fatal explosion to get a company to follow basic safety protocols that have been on the books for years. Editor’s Note: GASP continues to follow this issue closely. We’ll keep you updated as the final report is released.