At GASP we don’t just watch air quality and push back against industrial polluters’ illegal emissions, we also work to hold air quality regulators accountable for doing their jobs and fulfilling the duties that air pollution laws impose on them. This includes tracking how efficiently these regulators in Pennsylvania – specifically, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) – process permit applications for sources of air pollution (more on the significance of such permits below). Since 2018 we’ve reported on the backlogs that exist at ACHD and DEP’s six regional offices for processing applications for Title V Operating Permits, the permits that the Clean Air Act requires the largest sources of air pollution to have. “Over the years we’re seen noticeable improvement in the size of the backlogs at ACHD and DEP’s regional offices,” GASP senior attorney John Baillie said, “But, unfortunately, several trouble spots persist. For example, our investigation found the backlog of permit applications at ACHD jumped to the highest it’s been in years in terms of percentage of all major sources with backlogged applications.” He continued: “It looks like they’ve taken a step back.” Here’s what our review turned up for 2024: Title V Operating Permits: What They Are, Who Needs Them and Rules About How They’re Issued Operating permits for major sources of air pollution are required by Title V of the Clean Air Act, and thus are commonly called Title V Operating Permits. A Title V Operating Permit for a particular facility must contain all the operating requirements that the air pollution laws impose on the facility. This helps facilitate compliance with those requirements - both regulators and the public can use a facility’s Title V Operating Permit to determine what requirements it has and to help determine whether the facility is complying with them. A major source must apply for a Title V Operating Permit once it begins normal operations. Good for five years, sources must apply to renew their Title V Operating Permits before their old ones expire. The Clean Air Act, Pennsylvania’s air pollution control rules, and Allegheny County’s air pollution control regulations all require that the agency responsible for issuing Title V Operating Permits complete its review of any complete permit application within 18 months. Notably, the Clean Air Act allows a source that has submitted a complete application for a Title V Operating Permit to continue to operate pending the responsible agency’s final approval of the application, even if agency approval takes years. The Clean Air Act also requires that the operations of the state and local programs that administer Title V Operating Permits be funded entirely from the emissions and permit fees paid by the sources subject to the requirements of Title V. We first blogged about the backlogs of applications for new and renewed operating permits for major sources of air pollution that existed in DEP’s Southwest Regional Office and in Allegheny County (where Title V sources are regulated by ACHD) in September 2016. In April 2018, we updated that research and expanded it to include sources permitted by DEP’s other five regional offices. We have updated that research every year since. About Allegheny County’s Title V Backlog… There are now 23 major sources operating in Allegheny County. Two of those facilities have applied for, but have never been issued, Title V Operating Permits – ATI Flat-Rolled Products (which was formerly known as Allegheny Ludlum Brackenridge Works) and Synthomer Jefferson Hills LLC (which was formerly known as Eastman Chemicals & Resins). Although ACHD published a draft Title V Operating Permit for ATI’s Brackenridge Works in 2016, that draft revealed problems with the way proposed emission limits for the facility were determined and those problems have yet to be resolved, further delaying issuance of the Title V Operating Permit. Synthomer (formerly known as Eastman Chemical) is subject to a 2011 federal and state Consent Decree that has a direct impact on its air quality permits and that effectively precluded the issuance of a Title V Operating Permit for many years. However, ACHD finally made a draft Title V Operating Permit for Synthomer available for public comment earlier this year. Further, ACHD has failed to act on renewal applications for another six of those 23 major sources within 18 months as its regulations require: About DEP’s Backlog… For purposes of air quality permitting, DEP’s Southwest Regional Office includes sources in: Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. Responsibility for administering the Title V permitting program for sources in Armstrong and Indiana Counties was transferred from the Southwest Regional Office to DEP’s Northwest Regional Office in early 2019. We currently count 52 major sources under the jurisdiction of the Southwest Regional Office. Here are some takeaways: One source in the Southwest Region, the Brunner Landfill in Beaver County, has applied for, but never been issued, a Title V Operating Permit. Two major sources in the Southwest Region – Hill Top Energy Center in Greene County and Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station in Westmoreland County – have been constructed and are temporarily operating under the authority of their so-called plan approvals or preconstruction permits but have not yet applied for their Title V Operating Permits (the air pollution regulations permit this during the start-up process for a facility). Two more sources – Holcim Solutions and Products US, LLC in Youngwood, Westmoreland County and Hunter Panels in Georges Township, Fayette County – were reclassified as major sources within the last year based on recalculations of their emissions but have not yet submitted applications for Title V Operating Permits. Another three sources in the SWRO have renewal applications for operating permits that have been pending for more than 18months: The Northwest Regional includes Armstrong and Indiana counties for Title V permitting purposes, as well as Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, and Venango Counties We count 66 active major sources of air pollution in the Northwest Region. Here are some takeaways: Two of those sources – Hickory Run Energy in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County and the Tri-County Landfill near Grove City, Mercer County – are new, and either still have an application for an initial Title V Operating Permit still pending (Hickory Run Energy) or are still operating under a Plan Approval from DEP and have not yet applied for a Title V Operating Permit (Tri-County Landfill). Another facility, Webco Industries in Oil City, Venango County, was newly reclassified as a major source and still has its application for its first Title V Operating Permit pending. Besides Webco Industries, another four of those 66 facilities have had renewal applications for their Title V Operating Permit pending for more than 18 months: DEP’s Northcentral Region includes Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties. Here are some takeaways: We counted 50 major sources of air pollution in the Northcentral Region. Two sites in the Northcentral Region have had their applications to renew their Title V Operating Permits pending for more than 18 months (these same two sites were also on our list of backlogged permits last year): DEP’s Southcentral Region includes Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry and York counties. We counted 101 active major source of air pollution in these counties, only one of which has had a renewal application for a Title V Operating Permit pending for more than 18 months: DEP’s Northeast Region includes Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties We counted 55 active major sources of air pollution in those counties, only one of which has had an application for its Title V Operating Permits pending for more than 18 months: Worth noting: DEP’s eFACTS website (which tracks the status of facility permits) does not show that EPP Glendon has an application to renew its operating permit pending as of May 17, 2024; a source violates the air pollution laws if it continues to operate without submitting a timely application to renew or replace its operating permit. It is, however, sometimes the case that a facility that is no longer active will fail to file either an application for a renewal permit or an application to withdraw its operating permit - that could be the case here. DEP’s Southeast Region includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties for purposes of permitting sources of air pollution (Philadelphia’s Air Management Services administers the Title V permitting program for facilities located in Philadelphia) We counted 81 active major sources of air pollution in the Southeast Region, three of which have had renewal applications for Title V Operating Permits pending for more than 18 months: Worth noting and repeating: DEP’s eFACTS website does not show that the Darby Creek Tank Farm had an application to renew or replace its operating permit pending as of May 17, 2024; a source violates the air pollution laws if it continues to operate without submitting a timely application to renew or replace its operating permit. As is the case with the Glendon EPP site in the Northeast Region discussed above, sometimes the case that a facility that is no longer active will fail to file either an application for a renewal permit or an application to withdraw its operating permit; that could also be the case with the Darby Creek Tank Farm. Here’s a summary of what the permit backlogs at ACHD and DEP’s regional offices have looked like since 2018:

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) today announced that it is requesting public comment on its 2025 Air Monitoring Network Plan, an annual report that provides a detailed description of how and where air pollution is monitored in Allegheny County. The 2025 Air Monitoring Network Plan is a document required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It provides the specific location of each monitoring station, siting criteria, monitoring methods and objectives, frequency of sampling, pollutants measured at each station and aerial photographs showing their physical location. The 2025 Air Monitoring Annual Network Plan was posted onto the ACHD Air Quality website on May 16. All correspondence must include first and last name and a complete mailing address. Comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on June 14. Comments may be submitted via e-mail to david.good@alleghenycounty.us The Air Monitoring Network Plan can be found here. Editor’s Note: GASP staff is currently reviewing the monitoring plan. Stay tuned for more information from us soon!

Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor on Tuesday released the results of a long-sought audit of the Clean Air Fund, finding that more than twice as much money was spent on normal operating costs in two of three years examined by auditors than on projects to improve air quality and educate the public. “We are disappointed by these findings but certainly not surprised,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. From O’Connor’s press release announcing the results of the audit: Administered by the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), the Clean Air Fund had a cash balance of more than $10 million for a significant portion of the audit period, January 2021 through September 2023. But only a small portion of the cash balance ranging from 1.6 percent in 2023 ($157,565) to 6.1 percent in 2021 ($704,586) was used to fund air-quality-related projects annually. "These funds are derived from fines for air quality violations that directly impact the communities where these industries are located," O'Connor said. "That's why it is critical — and the intention of the law that created the Clean Air Fund — that these communities are to benefit from additional projects to mitigate these harms. Our audit shows that the County has fallen far short of meeting this intent." Auditors found that a provision permitting ACHD to use up to five percent of the Fund's balance at the end of the preceding year to fund normal operating costs of the Department's Air Quality Program created an incentive for ACHD to retain a significant cash balance in the Clean Air Fund. This amounted to over $1.7 million during the audit period.  Meanwhile, just over $1.4 million was allocated to project expenditures. "The clear purpose of the Clean Air Fund is to support projects beyond the County's primary pollution control duties. These tasks are vital, but they also have their own dedicated funding streams. Our communities should be seeing progress result from the robust balance in the Clean Air Fund," O'Connor said. The $489,000 permitted to be allocated for operating expenses in 2023 had not been transferred from the Fund as of the conclusion of the audit, and ACHD staff indicated to auditors it did not plan to do so. A recent shortfall in the Air Pollution Control Fund, which funds ACHD's primary air quality efforts, could have prompted the retention of large reserves to fund operating costs. A proposal by ACHD in 2023 to address this shortfall by allowing 20 percent of the Clean Air Fund balance to be diverted for normal operating costs was not approved by the Board of Health. While ACHD is currently studying fee revisions that could reduce the shortfall in the Air Pollution Control Fund, these efforts are not expected to be completed until the end of 2024. "Professional and Technical support" expenditures totaling $265,233 were also made throughout the audit period. These included partial salaries for an attorney and two air quality engineers ($97,985), transcription services ($48,924), a forensic examination ($10,000), and other miscellaneous professional services ($108,324). While technically permitted under the ordinance governing use of the Fund, these expenses are not in keeping with the Fund's primary purpose of funding community projects and education. By ordinance, the Clean Air Fund is specifically for the disbursement of funds "to support activities related to the improvement of air quality within Allegheny County and to support activities which will increase or improve knowledge concerning air pollution, its causes, its effects, and the control thereof." Auditors found that ACHD has not widely communicated to the public the availability of the Clean Air Fund for air-quality-related projects by organizations outside County government. For instance, the general Clean Air Fund project application is not available on ACHD's website. Those interested in requesting support from the Clean Air Fund can reach out to the Air Quality Program by completing an electronic form. "The availability of these funds does our residents little good if community organizations are not aware of them or how to access them. Robust efforts must be made to promote the Clean Air Fund as a resource for projects than can impact our communities, specifically vulnerable populations in heavily industrialized areas which are directly impacted," O'Connor said. The audit concluded that "Opportunities to use Clean Air Fund resources to directly improve air quality in Allegheny County and to undertake projects that would assist in addressing the impacts of air quality violations in other ways have been missed." "The repeated findings of elevated air pollution in Allegheny County are the strongest indicator that the Clean Air Fund must be used proactively and effectively to protect our residents. These millions are doing them little good sitting in the bank." Editor’s Note: GASP staff is reviewing the audit, which you can read for yourself here.

As an air quality watchdog group from way back (1969, to be exact), GASP has been witness to decades of drama between U.S. Steel Corp. and the government agencies tasked with regulating it. We helped lead the charge against U.S. Steel and other polluters when their smokestacks belched out so much air pollution that Pittsburgh was famously referred to as “hell with the lid off.” We were there in the 1970s when a killer inversion prompted the first of what would be decades of discussion about the need to mitigate air pollution during episodic weather events. Fast forward to 2019, and GASP was among those demanding answers in the wake of a Christmas Eve fire that ripped through U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, knocking out air pollution-control devices for more than three months (and all the things that followed that). GASP was NOT there, however, for the U.S. Steel origin story - during those first days and decades of the company’s presence here in our region. And that’s a story worth learning about and better understanding. That’s why we’re honored to team up with Pittsburgh Community TV to broadcast a three-part podcast by one of our very own board members - Chie Togami - that explores the relationship between Pittsburgh, U.S. Steel, and the people and places that have figured prominently in the past 120 years of the company’s existence. “Considering that Pittsburgh is at the epicenter of a pending multi-billion U.S. Steel sale, we thought it was an opportune time to draw attention to the company’s history,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “In the story of steel, our Mon Valley neighbor has long been a villain.” Learn more and check it out here. Editor’s Note: HUGE thank you to our friends at PCTV. For those who may not be familiar, at more than 30 years and counting, PCTV is among the oldest public access media organizations in the United States. PCTV has served thousands of Pittsburgh residents and non-profits, giving them low-cost access to media production tools and the ability to broadcast to households throughout Pittsburgh and the world. Check out their work and give them a follow on social media!

Good news, friends: A LARGE pot of money is now available to support public health in the Mon Valley - and Allegheny County is seeking YOUR input on how exactly it should be spent. We’re talking, like, $2.25 million. Here’s what’s going on: The funding is thanks to a settlement reached between PennEnvironment, the National Environmental Law Center, Clean Air Council, the Allegheny County Health Department, and U.S. Steel regarding the 2018 fire that knocked out pollution controls at the steelmaking giant’s Clairton Coke Works facility. Here’s how our pals at PennEnvironment explained it: On Christmas Eve 2018, a catastrophic fire broke out at the Clairton Coke Works. It destroyed critical equipment at the facility that reduces the plant’s emissions of sulfur dioxide, a potent respiratory irritant linked to asthma, and benzene, which is a known carcinogen. Our lawsuit showed that the fire was caused by a chain reaction of mechanical and design failures that were completely avoidable, and resulted from decades of disrepair and problems long-known by U.S. Steel. Following the fire, pollution levels coming from the plant skyrocketed.  Sulfur dioxide pollution at the Clairton Coke Works spiked nearly 25 times higher than usual. Yet, instead of shutting down the plant to protect public health and obey the law, U.S. Steel continued operating without pollution controls for more than 100 days, violating their Clean Air Act permits more than 12,000 times. As the uncontrolled air pollution levels soared at the Coke Works, so too did health problems in nearby communities. Residents reported burning lungs and abnormally bad asthma attacks. So back to the money… The Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) is seeking public input on ways in which their portion of the settlement money may best be used to help support public health within the communities most affected by that fire. ACED this week announced a public hearing for this very purpose slated for 5 p.m. THIS Friday, May 17 in Clairton. You can get the skinny on that here. But some things you should know: We get it, 5 p.m. on a Friday ain’t ideal. BUT, here’s the good news: Folks don’t need to sign up in advance to speak There is a virtual option to participate This hearing is just the first one - stay tuned for further opportunities to weigh in Attending the hearing isn’t the only way to share your thoughts - residents are also encouraged to fill out this survey “We hope there is a robust turnout for the hearing and that as many people as possible share their thoughts on how best to spend this money,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “So much good can be done.” Editor’s Note: Not sure what to ask for? Here are some ideas to get you started: Asthma clinics Air filters for front-line community members Other projects that help mitigate exposure to air pollution

Let us throw some numbers at you: The Mon Valley recently experienced six straight days of stench. Residents endured six straight days of hydrogen sulfide concentrations that exceeded the Pennsylvania standard. Yet, they received zero public updates from the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) - the regulatory agency responsible for enforcing odor violations locally. And to us, that’s unacceptable. That’s why we attended the Allegheny County Board of Health meeting on Wednesday: To let them know enough is enough, and that the time for improved communications and increased transparency around Mon Valley’s H2S issue. We also took issue Wednesday with a comment made by Allegheny County Health Department Deputy Director of Environmental Health Geoffrey Rabinowitz. He told the board that his department was trying to “get ahead of misinformation that is being spread,” especially on the Internet. We'll let community newspaper Tube City Almanac tell you about all that - you can check out their tremendous coverage of the meeting here. GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell was among several speakers to address the Board of Health Wednesday to demand answers. Here’s what he told them: Good afternoon. My name is Patrick Campbell. I am the executive director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), a nonprofit organization working to improve regional air quality since 1969. We are here today - again - to address the burgeoning number of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exceedances in the Mon Valley at the Liberty monitor. In 2024 so far, there have been 44 exceedances of Pennsylvania’s 24-hour average standard for H2S. At this time last year, there were 43. The number of exceedances are concerning, so are the extreme spikes at the Liberty monitor. The most recent spike occurring the morning of April 30 was just shy of the one-hour standard. And, no Mr. Rabbinowitz, that’s not misinformation. That’s data pulled from ACHD’s own dashboard. We know the source of the stench: Not one but two studies have shown years of exceedances were attributed entirely to U.S. Steel’s coking operations in Clairton. We know ACHD has assessed nearly $4 million in H2S-related fines. We know the latest enforcement action requires U.S. Steel to develop a plan to fix the issue. That’s not misinformation, that’s the results of two ACHD studies and a close reading of ACHD enforcement documents. The violations beg the question: What’s going on at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works? And what is being done to stem the H2S violations? Because current enforcement actions are not working to actually end illegal pollution. And that’s not misinformation, these are common sense questions by people tired of hearing only half-answers. These are questions shared by many. We know, because we hear from folks everyday who are fed up with the stench and physical symptoms associated with the H2S levels we saw for six straight days last week. What we don’t know is what ACHD is doing to hold U.S. Steel accountable for fixing whatever issues are causing these relentless H2S exceedances. That’s because ACHD leadership has failed to provide proactive public health messaging around this issue using its own tools like the daily air quality forecast. GASP has for years called on the health department to provide a substantive H2S update, and we are reiterating that call now. Residents are sick of the stench and tired of the silence. They deserve answers and we are asking you to use your authority as board of health members to ensure they get them. Thank you. Miss the Board of Health meeting? No worries! Just visit the Allegheny County Health Department Facebook page to view the video. You can view Patrick's comments here: Editor’s Note: We also wanted to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to attend the meeting (we’re looking at you Allegheny County Clean Air Now, Breathe Project, and CMU CREATE Lab) and send the board written comments (you know who you are!). We appreciate yinz!

Editor’s Note: This is a guest blog. Interested in writing something for the Blog Against Smog? Email our communications manager at amanda@gasp-pgh.org. By Gabe Vargas What happens when you choose car recycling? For one, the air suddenly becomes a little clearer. So you can breathe easier, knowing that a major step toward helping the planet could take so little effort on your part. With the proliferation of rail-trails and public transit, more people are already choosing healthier and greener alternatives for their daily commute. Recycling your rig is not only en vogue, it is friendly to the environment. And the auto-recycling industry is a fast-growing one. Besides, when else would you dump out 10,000 parts – all at once – where someone with the talent is just waiting to turn them back into a valuable commodity? To put it another way: The auto recycling industry is huge. Actually, it’s the 16th-largest industry in the nation. According to the Automotive Recycling Association (ARA), “the professional automotive recycling industry is a vibrant and thriving part of the automotive supply chain.” Car Recycling: The Impact on the Environment & More In the United States, automotive recycling businesses employ more than 140,000 people at more than 9,000 locations, representing over $32 billion in sales annually, the group noted on its website. If you are reading this article, you care about the environment and want to know more. The enviro-bent to this story is a multi-layered win-win-win scenario for the industry, consumers, and the planet. Why? For one, using recycled parts for auto repair and manufacturing saves up to 80 percent vs. buying new, not to mention the positive impact on landfills near and far. But that’s not the only way car recycling is earth-friendly: According to The Balance, the North American automotive recycling industry also saves around 85 million barrels of oil each year. And auto consumers? They gain the satisfaction of knowing they are taking at least one small step to help save the planet, while opening the door to valuable new recycled products. One Person’s Recycled Car is Another Person’s… Not only do new cars come from old cars, but experts also estimate that 80 percent of automobile parts that can be recycled and are breathing life into: bicycles sandals furniture bioplastic carpets The American online resource for auto information, Edmunds.com, details the greening-by-auto-recycling trend, including a hefty list of vehicles built with recycled and sustainable components. After all, purchasing a car or truck made with these parts is just as vital as scrapping one for parts at the end of the road. Chrome and glass are far from the only materials the scrap vehicle industry re-uses, and these metal alloys can be reused multiple times over: Copper Aluminum Plastics Steel The Link Between Clean Air and Car Recycling Automobile graveyards, junkyards, and landfills are stark reminders of the value that inoperable vehicles can have on the earth – once they are properly recycled. But how does that impact emissions? The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers points out that by using recycled metals, emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) – a potent greenhouse gas – are reduced in the manufacturing process. Given the approximately 12.6 million vehicles recycled each year by the automotive recycling industry, the group estimates that GHG emissions are reduced by more than 30 million metric tons per year. It’s also important to note that taking your old whip to a junkyard isn’t the only way to make sure it gets a second life. Consider donating your old vehicle to a charitable organization. Some organizations even have mechanics in place to fix up older autos. Did we mention you get a sweet tax deduction for donating to qualifying nonprofits? About the Process According to SellMax in Sacramento, the process of recycling trucks and cars is fairly straightforward and is a growing choice for green-minded entrepreneurs looking to start up a successful small business – about 20 percent of the pros in the industry are sole proprietors and sole employees. Getting cash for cars is a moving force for some consumers. In addition to the truths and stats outlined here, endless resources on the subject are at the fingertips of environmentally conscious consumers. Like this factoid – recycling metal uses about 74 percent less energy than making new steel – according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Dark Side of Auto Recycling While recycling old vehicles has many benefits, the process, if handled improperly, could create pollution and disrupt communities. For instance, gasoline, oil, and other toxic chemicals are often found within old automobiles. It is critical to ensure that these harmful substances are properly removed so that they don’t potentially pollute the air and water of nearby communities.. The grassroots group Allegheny County Clean Air Now (ACCAN) has helped bring to light issues at Neville Island-based metal recycling company Metalico. Members of the community voiced concerns regarding the periodic explosions coming from the facility. One resident told the Post-Gazette in 2019, “We get explosions, we get backward smoke and foul air that drifts over the river… and hear clanging in the middle of the night with barges being loaded with scrap metallic objects.” ACCAN recorded the facility for several years and has captured video of “image [shaking] and a bright burst[s] of flame [that] appears to come out of the shredder.” ACCAN’s experience may illustrate consequences that can stem from the car recycling process when it’s not done properly. Despite some bad actors in the industry, recycling vehicles can bring benefits to people across the world. With proper regulation and enforcement, we can ensure that no one is taken advantage of and that everyone benefits from a cleaner planet. Gabe is a master’s student at UCSD who has been passionate about bettering the environment since a young age. A big inspiration to him is his mother who always taught him that we need to leave behind a clean planet. Gabe focuses on bringing to light ways to clean the earth that many individuals are not aware of. His goal is to spread awareness through his writing. During his free time, Gabe surfs and hikes the San Diego trails.

Editor’s Note: When GASP launched its Amplify Project last year, our goal was simple: To help amplify the voices of people in our community that need to be heard – our young people, our neighbors in frontline communities, and people who have first-hand experience grappling with the very real health impacts associated with poor air quality. While GASP’s focus has long been on the quality of outdoor ambient air, with people spending a whole lot more time at home, the quality of our indoor air has never been more important. Today, we’re honored to help amplify our friend Jackie Nixon’s story. We met Jackie recently through her work with Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction and were inspired by her. We won’t give away any more of the details – we want you to hear about Jackie’s journey from Jackie herself. Without further ado… I hadn’t been to a doctor in 18 months – I was extremely healthy: never had the flu, never broke anything, blood pressure, and blood sugar and cholesterol were excellent. So, in answer to her question I said, “No. I feel great. Except, well…I sing and I noticed that my voice sometimes sounds a little bit edgy and I can roll notes, but it seems now I have to take a quick, short breath to end the run.” I said it was probably because I had been sitting and working on the computer too much in the past year and I probably just need to exercise my diaphragm more – that’s all. Singing and music is my passion. I got my voice when I was eight years old. I’ve been in every church choir. I just love it! My doctor asked me as she listened to my chest if I was coughing or had any chest pains, to which I said, “Nothing.” At that point, we were both going to blow it off thinking it was nothing. My doctor had her hand on the door ready to leave, but then said, “Well, since you get this free maintenance, let’s just order a chest X-ray.” A series of events led up to my mission to advocate for radon gas testing and mitigation: The Diagnosis Two days later, I got a call saying they found a tumor approximately 1-inch in diameter in my lung. I had a biopsy that proved to be lung cancer – adenocarcinoma. I was blown away! Of course, I went through all of the mental pain everyone else does and after talking with my doctor again, she said, “Do you realize that we both almost walked out of that door? And if you hadn’t gotten shingles, we probably never would have found this for another year or so?” After the biopsy, CT scan, PET scan, breathing, heart, and blood tests, I had my consultation with the thoracic surgeon. I remember he came in and the very first words were, “So, how do you think you got this?” My answer was a simple, “I don’t know!” All of my tests came back exceptional – he had no clue! The Surgery A month later, on Sept. 9, 2015, I had a lobectomy. They removed the upper left lobe of my lung. I lost one-fifth of my lung capacity. The surgery went smoothly and that same day I tried to sing and was still able to. I was released from the hospital in three days, at which point I was 100 percent cancer-free. No chemo, radiation, or medication – the doctor said just walk every day. I went back to church and the choir after two months. Did You Ever Hear About Radon? After I returned to my normal duties seven months later, I was conversing with a board member who was also a home inspector, and mentioned that everyone was puzzled about how I got lung cancer. My colleague asked, “Did you ever hear of radon?” He mentioned that radon was the second-leading cause of lung cancer and the number-one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. I didn’t know anything about radon, so I did my homework and read up about it. I was shocked at the study results regarding radon emissions and the number of deaths due to exposure. I had my building tested which revealed higher-than-normal radon levels. I lived in this building for 38 years. We live in a homeowner’s association and no one had ever tested our building for radon! Homes in the area that I live in are built on top of old coal mines in Pennsylvania. For those who don’t know: Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when uranium in the ground breaks down, entering homes through cracks in the foundation and other openings in the home. You can’t see it and you can’t smell it. The concentration of radon in the air is measured in units of picocuries per liter (pCi/L). So, I asked two of my neighbors if I could place a test in their apartments, which were located in the lowest level of the building. The right side tested at 18 pCiL and the left side at 9 pCiL. For reference, 18 pCiL is the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes every day. EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocurries per liter) or more. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, EPA also recommends that Americans consider fixing their home for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. The average indoor radon concentration for America’s homes is about 1.3 pCi/L. Fixed I talked with the homeowner’s association and it said it was up to each homeowner to test on their own! I said, “How can they test if no one knows about it?” I turned the information over to the condo association and they tested again. They used test kits from Home Depot and the left side came out to 21 pCiL and the right side 13 pCiL. They then called in a certified mitigation company to fix the problem.  We now have five mitigation systems in our building. However, there are about 12 condo buildings in my complex and my building is the only one equipped with a mitigation system. Unfortunately, there are no laws in Pennsylvania that say you must do a radon test as a seller, buyer or homeowner. Also, there are no laws that require schools to test. I found out that many people don’t know about radon and how it can affect them. As a result of my reading and talking with various people and organizations that have been so helpful in providing information, I became a Pennsylvania Radon Awareness Advocate for Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction (CR3). More education and legislation need to happen at the local level and the information must get into the hands of more people. The moment that inspired all of this was a home inspector who asked me, “Did you ever hear about radon?” Since then, I questioned why I am surviving so well. How was I able to walk away with no chemo, radiation, or medication? I came to realize that the key was getting checked out early. The key was the early detection of cancer-causing agents like radon. I also came to realize that the function of early detection could be greater than chemotherapy, radiation, and medication! Just by asking a simple question, a series of events spiraled into actions. Giving someone a brochure or taking the time to talk with them about the issue could save a life. Just when I thought I was about to lose mine, I found PURPOSE. Maybe I can help someone through early detection. For me, this is my way of paying it forward. I’m Stage 1 and five years cancer-free! To make an Amplify Project submission, email our communications manager at amanda@gasp-pgh.org.

Editor’s Note: GASP is fortunate to have a dedicated board of directors composed of professionals in myriad fields – law, education, science, and medicine. Among them is Dr. David Eilbling, a Pittsburgh ears, throat, and nose doctor. Dr. Eibling recently weighed in on a new University of Pittsburgh study that found a link between exposure to fine particulate matter and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation. We thank him for this guest post. It has long been known that increased exposure to small particulate air pollution contributes to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Studies have indicated one mechanism is related to an elevated risk of developing clots (thrombosis) as well as reductions in the normal process of dissolving clots (thrombolysis). The fine particles found in air pollution (known as PM2.5) are about one-50th of the diameter of a human hair, and seem to be particularly active in these effects. This is probably because they pass so readily through the lung lining membranes into the blood, where they impact blood clotting and other normal processes. Most of the research correlating the risk of heart attack or stroke with air pollution has been done utilizing average measures of PM2.5 at city-wide or county-wide level. But past studies have shown that these measures may not tell the whole story in Pittsburgh, where there are dramatic differences in levels of PM2.5, even within single zip codes. Atrial fibrillation (often referred to as AFib or AB) is a condition in which the smaller fore-chambers of the heart known as the atria do not beat at the same rate, instead “quivering” (fibrillating), leading to irregular contraction of the ventricles and a resultant “irregularly irregular” heart rhythm that can easily be detected by feeling one’s pulse. Now, newer fitness tracking monitors are able to detect this irregular rhythm, and even warn the wearer. Atrial fibrillation may arise spontaneously or as a response to some cardiac stressors. It is a very common condition that may cause no immediate problems as long as the ventricles continue to efficiently pump blood through the lungs and out to the rest of the body. One of the well-known complications of AFib is that blood can clot in the “quivering” corners of the atrium because they do not empty with each beat. Pieces of that clot can then break off and, if it is from the left side of the body, travel through the ventricle into the aorta and go wherever the blood takes it. Occasionally the clots go to the vessels in the brain, where they block the blood and cause an “ischemic” stroke – which means the portion of the brain supplied by that blood vessel dies because of lack of blood supply. It is for this reason that people with chronic AFib are typically treated with so-called blood thinners (otherwise known as anticoagulants) long term. The researchers at the University of Pittsburgh who authored this most recent study used data from more than 30,000 people with AFib and compiled it into a database for seven years. When researchers checked their records to see who had suffered a stroke, they discovered that about 5 percent – or 1,500 people – had suffered one between 18 months and six years following their initial diagnosis. The key finding of this study, though, is not the fact that 5 percent of the large group of people with AFib suffered a stroke: It’s that researchers used not county-wide, city-wide, or even zip code location data, but much more precise information about the levels of PM2.5 air pollution at, or very near, to their homes. This data has only become available recently, and the more precise measurement of location-specific PM2.5 levels has improved our ability to correlate the levels of small particulate air pollution with a specific health risk, in this case, stroke. The maps in the report are fascinating, and will not be surprising to anyone living in Pittsburgh, as the levels of PM2.5 are much higher along our rivers and valleys than on the hilltops.  Moreover, levels are inversely proportional to average income, meaning the more economically disadvantaged in our community are also breathing higher levels of polluted air. As you might have already guessed, the risk of suffering a stroke if you have AFib is much higher if you live in an area with higher levels of PM2.5 air pollution. Similar to other medical conditions, this new data permits the calculation of a “dose-response curve.” This means you can begin to calculate the risk of stroke not only based on other factors (such as other cardiac disease or smoking) but also by where you live. This is a powerful insight, one that ought to serve as an impetus for us to collectively seek strategies to reduce this risk, especially for those most at risk. For more than 70 years Pittsburgh has realized that air pollution is harmful, and despite decades of effort, we are still among the top-10 most polluted areas in the nation. Organizations such as Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) have worked for years (in GASP’s case 51 years) to encourage our local municipal and county leaders to enact reforms that will reduce air pollution. This research from Pitt adds more credence to this effort, providing an accurate estimate of stroke risk for specific groups of individuals, and suggests that the benefits to be achieved by reducing (the dose) of air pollution are potentially measurable. It is a call to action for all of us.