Editor’s Note: An Allegheny County Health Department spokesman on Wednesday confirmed that both the Parkway East and Lawrenceville PM25 monitors were back online. This story was updated at 3:14 p.m. June 3. We just wanted to give you a heads up: Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) confirmed that the PM2.5 monitor at the Parkway East air quality monitoring site is offline and is being replaced after showing spiking AQI values over the past week. An ACHD spokesman confirmed on May 18 that the Lawrenceville monitor was under maintenance after spiking AQI values were registering there. That monitor is also offline and is now being replaced, according to the ACHD website. We will keep you posted and update when we know more! #Lawrenceville #ParkwayEast #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #airqualitymonitor #ACHD #airquality

Our hearts hurt. The death of George Floyd at the hands of police helped to again lift the veil on how the deck is stacked against America’s black and brown citizens – showcasing (again) how our justice system fails people of color. At GASP we want to be clear: We stand with all who are calling for an end to the systemic racism in our justice system, in our police departments, and in our neighborhoods. We stand in solidarity with those who have said, “Enough is enough” and we join them in exclaiming BLACK LIVES MATTER. Today, we are reflecting on the state of racism in our city, our state and our nation, and how we as individuals and as a nonprofit can advocate and effect positive change not only in the midst of tragedies like the one in Minneapolis but how we can show up every single day as allies. That’s why GASP will be observing #BlackOutTuesday today.

Over the past several months, GASP has submitted comments on several “RACT II Determinations” made by the Allegheny County Health Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. For those who are unfamiliar: “RACT” in this case stands for “Reasonably Available Control Technology,” and the Roman numeral “II” designates this as the second round of RACT determinations that have been required by the Clean Air Act. By way of background, the first round of RACT determinations was made in the mid- to late-1990s and early 2000s, following the 1990 addition of the RACT requirement to the Clean Air Act in 1990. The Clean Air Act’s RACT requirement instructs the states to determine whether major sources of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in areas that do not attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone are using all “reasonably available control technology” to limit their emissions of NOx and VOCs. NOx and VOCs are the two principal precursors to the formation of ground-level ozone pollution.  If such sources are not implementing RACT, the states must require them to do so, even if they were properly permitted when they began operating and have continued to operate within all applicable limits. States were required to make RACT II determinations as a result of the revision to the NAAQS for ozone that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made in 2008, and its subsequent designation of areas that did not attain that revised NAAQS. What does a RACT determination do? Generally, it requires that the facility identify all “technically feasible” controls for its NOx or VOC emissions, and then determine whether such controls are “reasonably available” using a cost-benefit analysis, looking specifically at the cost per ton of NOx or VOC emissions that each control would remove. For RACT II, sources in Pennsylvania have generally been required to implement NOx-limiting controls with a cost-effectiveness of $2,800/ton, and VOC-limiting controls with a cost-effectiveness of $5,500/ton. Since the beginning of 2020, GASP’s staff attorneys have reviewed many RACT II determinations, commenting on five of them. What we found when we commented on those determinations was interesting. Most notably, the permitting authorities in our area seem to have taken inconsistent approaches to the use of recorded operating data from facilities to establish new RACT limits. To illustrate, ACHD used recorded monitoring data from U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thompson Works and Clairton Coke Works to reduce emissions limits for NOx significantly, but did not require any new control devices or operating practices at those facilities. In contrast, DEP did not consider monitoring data when it determined RACT II for the Monessen coke plant operated by ArcelorMittal. Similarly, ACHD has not required lower emission limits for VOCs based on stack test results from PPG’s facility in Springdale. For the Bellefield Boiler, it appears ACHD identified several “technically feasible” control options, but may not have determined if they were “reasonably available.” Although RACT II is winding up, more RACT determinations are on the way.  EPA’s 2015 revision of the NAAQS for NOx will require ACHD and DEP to begin making “RACT III” determinations within the next few years. Editor’s Note: You can read all of GASP’s public comments here. #airpollution #RACT #VOCs #CleanAirAct #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #DEP #ACHD #airquality

The Group Against Smog and Pollution is mourning the loss of our longtime friend and ally, Bernard “Bernie” Bloom – an environmental engineer and stalwart air quality advocate who not only helped usher in Pittsburgh’s clean air movement but also helped GASP find its footing in our infancy. Bernie died May 19 from stomach cancer. He was 76. Bernie’s obituary can be read in its entirety here, but we wanted to share an excerpt that spoke to our hearts: “He believed love is action. From cleaning up the steel mills of Pittsburgh to helping to build the International Space Station; from gleefully sharing literature to championing local parks; from mentoring younger generations to bonding with new friends late in life, he made the world a better place. His intelligence was fierce and his love was abundant right to the end. It never occurred to Bernie Bloom not to care. Nobody who met Bernie Bloom will ever forget him.” We know we certainly won’t forget him. We last saw Bernie back in October for our 50th-anniversary gala. We had the pleasure of interviewing him about GASP’s humble beginnings. He told us: “GASP changed my life. It gave me a purpose.” We say: Bernie was just as instrumental to GASP’s mission and purpose. “GASP was so fortunate to have a friend in Bernie. It was heartwarming to see him reminisce about the old days with Karenlin Madoff – our founder Michelle Madoff’s daughter – at the gala,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. “GASP owes a great deal of gratitude to Bernie for his help, passion, and grit in those early days.” GASP President Jonathan Nadle agreed. “It was a pleasure getting to know Bernie through our email exchanges and his letter on GASP’s beginnings,” he said.“ It was a true honor meeting him in person at our 50th-anniversary party.” Because of COVID-19 social distancing and other safety measures, Bernie’s family is celebrating his life with a live online memorial at 2 p.m. this Saturday, June 6. You can join family and friends in saying goodbye by tuning in here. Those who would like to honor him are invited to plant a tree in his memory – one that will benefit a forest in need.

U.S. Steel on June 1 appealed three installation permits issued by the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) regarding Reasonable Available Control Technology (RACT) at its Mon Valley Works facilities. In its appeal, U.S. Steel argues that the facilities cannot meet the emission limits that ACHD determined to be RACT. Among other things, U.S. Steel alleged that: ACHD issued the permit without first receiving a complete application as required. The terms and conditions of the permit issued April 21 were “substantially different” than what was presented in the preliminary draft, which did not afford U.S. Steel the opportunity to comment on them. ACHD issued the installation permit even though U.S. Steel did not request to “install, modify, replace, reconstruct or reactivate any source of air pollution control equipment at the facility.” Editor’s Note: You can read the appeals (which were consolidated) here, here, and here. #ACHD #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #EdgarThomasPlant #USSteel

Allegheny County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a long-sought ‘clean construction’ ordinance that will help reduce diesel emissions and improve local air quality. The ordinance, introduced by Councilwoman Anita Prizio earlier this year, was approved by a vote 13-0. All 13 members present at Tuesday’s meeting asked to be named as co-sponsors. “I think this is great legislation – it will help clean our air. It’s pretty easy to figure out: Clean air is better than dirty air,” Council Vice President Robert Macey said prior to the vote. “We just thought this is a no-brainer.” GASP, which has been advocating for “clean construction” policies locally for years, lauded council for taking this step – one that will provide a boost to local air quality. GASP played a key role in the passage of the “Clean Construction” law passed by the city in 2016 – one the county ordinance closely mirrors. The ordinance requires Allegheny County government construction projects that cost $2.5 million or more to utilize both ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and diesel emission control strategies on construction vehicles. These guidelines also require the use of best-available control technology – like diesel particulate filters – on all on-road equipment and off-road equipment involved in those projects. “Diesel-powered construction equipment emitted more than 123 tons of fine particulate matter in 2017 in Allegheny County. To put that in perspective, it’s more than a third of all fine particulate matter produced by mobile diesel-powered sources and about 58 percent of fine particulate matter produced by all mobile non-road diesel equipment in the county,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. “This policy will have a positive impact on our local air quality, helping to lessen the amount of toxic diesel pollution to which both communities and construction workers are subjected.” #AnitaPrizio #AlleghenyCountyCouncil #airpollution #RachelFilippini #diesel #CleanConstruction #dieselemissions #airquality

Mark your calendars: The world premier of “Unbreathable: The Fight For Healthy Air” is slated for Thursday, June 18 – and you’re invited. “Unbreathable: The Fight for Healthy Air” is a documentary that spotlights the ongoing struggle for clean air in the United States. Over the past 50 years, there has been major progress in significantly reducing air pollution across the nation thanks to the Clean Air Act. Still, almost half of Americans across the country today are still impacted by unhealthy air – folks right here in Pittsburgh among them. “This 30-minute film premiers at a critical time. Asthma is the number one health issue for children, and recent research links air pollution to higher cases and deaths from COVID-19. Environmental regulations and enforcement of existing laws are being stripped away when the need for renewable energy is more urgent than ever,” event organizers note. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Maggie Burnette Stogner, “Unbreathable” is sponsored by American University’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking in partnership with the American Lung Association, AU’s Center for Environmental Policy, and the Hanley Foundation. Informative and inspiring, the film is an excellent catalyst for engagement and action designed to reach a wide range of audiences. Premiere: June 18th with the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital. You can find more information at www.dceff.org. We invite you to watch the film in advance and then join us live at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 18 for a moderated panel discussion with the filmmaker and policy experts. Registrants will be sent more instructions about how to view the film a few days before the event. More details on the panelists and how to register can be found online. Editor’s Note: Stay tuned, plans will soon be in the works for a local showing. #CleanAirAct #MaggieBurnetteStogner #Unbreathable

The Group Against Smog and Pollution on Wednesday submitted comments on the Allegheny County Health Department’s (ACHD’s) draft 2021 air monitoring network. Here are some of the highlights: GASP supports the establishment of a National Air Toxics Trends Station in Lawrenceville but noted that ACHD must address ancillary issues regarding the move. GASP expressed concern over access to data and noted that there should be an analysis of the need for continued air toxics monitoring downtown. We also questioned whether the methodology used to collect data at the Lawrenceville monitor will be mirrored at the Liberty monitor. GASP recommended that ACHD undertake a comprehensive air monitoring program at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works. “Despite over forty years of regulations and research aimed at reducing human exposure to benzene, EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory data show U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke facility emitted over 30,000 pounds of benzene via stack and fugitive emissions in 2018, making it far and away the largest stationary source in Allegheny County,” GASP’s legal counsel noted. “Not coincidentally, ACHD reported that the average benzene concentration and 24-hour maximum benzene concentration at the Liberty monitor site in 2018 were both 19 times higher than the levels at the Avalon monitoring site. That same report showed that through August 10, 2019, the average benzene concentration for 2019 at Liberty was 60 percent higher than it was in 2018. GASP recommended the department implement something similar to DEP’s benzene monitoring program around the now-shuttered Erie Coke plant. GASP is supportive of Avalon’s hydrogen sulfide monitor being redeployed in North Braddock. Hydrogen Sulfide is a regular problem in the Mon Valley and we believe this move will provide useful data. GASP maintained that ACHD must post its 2020 five-year monitoring network assessment and make it available for public comment and extend public comment on both it and the 2021 Air Monitoring Network draft. #ErieCoke #benzene #USSteel #airqualitymonitoring #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #ClairtonCokeWorks #airquality

Air pollution from sources like traffic and industry impacts every corner of Allegheny County – but it doesn’t impact them equally. A new study from the University of Pittsburgh confirms what many have long suspected: Air pollution disproportionately affects minority and low-income residents of Allegheny County, and those people are also at a higher risk of associated health risks. You can read the full study here. Pittsburgh Quarterly interviewed Jim Fabisiak, director of the Center for Healthy Environments and Communities at the University of Pittsburgh, which conducted the study. Here’s an excerpt from that story: Hardest hit (by air pollution) are “environmental justice” communities, defined as places where at least 20 percent of residents live in poverty or 30 percent or more are non-white minorities, or both. In Allegheny County, such communities are 20 times more likely to endure the highest concentrations of NO2 pollution than places with more white residents and households with higher incomes, the study reports.And 40 percent of the estimated pollution-related coronary heart disease deaths were among residents of environmental justice communities, even though those neighborhoods account for only 27 percent of the county population. Coronary heart disease isn’t the only elevated health concern residents of those neighborhoods face disproportionately. Black carbon and NO2 contribute to other air pollutants, such as fine particulates and ground-level ozone. And the list of health problems associated with them include asthma and other respiratory diseases, stroke, adverse birth outcomes and others. GASP congratulates Fabisiak – who also serves as one of our board members – and his team for the publication of this important study. “Now more than ever, organizations like us need to focus on environmental injustice issues impacting our local communities,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. “Studies like this show us that we still have so much work to do. We’re so thankful to have Jim on our board – his knowledge and expertise help us be better warriors for the communities that need the most help.” Here’s more local news coverage of the study: Environmental Justice in Pittsburgh: Poor, Minority Neighborhoods See Higher Rates of Deaths from Air Pollution, published by Environmental Health News What if the Most Polluted Parts of Allegheny County Resembled the Least Polluted? Study Links Air Pollution to 100 Excess Deaths Per Year From Heart Disease, published by NEXTPittsburgh #airpollution #AlleghenyCounty #JImFabisiak #RachelFilippini

The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) will join fellow local air quality experts, activists, and elected officials in a discussion about Pittsburgh air quality. Join us from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 30 for the virtual kickoff of the Clean Air Project, an initiative spearheaded by the Triboro Ecodistrict and New Sun Rising. During the online event, we will discuss where local pollution comes from, what the health implications are, and most importantly: how you can become more engaged. But that’s not all: Participants will get the opportunity to see – for the first time – the design of new air monitoring stations being installed in Millvale, Etna, and Sharpsburg. Those air monitor stations will display the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) in each of the three boroughs. GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini will participate in the event alongside: Matt Mehalik, executive director of the Breathe Project State Rep. Sara Innamorato, D-21st Legislative District Zaheen Hussain, director of sustainability at New Sun Rising Mark Dixon, award-winning filmmaker, activist, and public speaker who is currently developing the documentary, “Inversion, The Unfinished Business of Pittsburgh’s Air.” The event is free and open to the public. You can register to attend virtually here. The kickoff will be followed by three virtual events unveiling air monitoring stations in Millvale on July 22, Etna on Aug. 12, and Sharpsburg on Sept. 1. #airpollution #MarkDixon #airmonitoring #GASP #airquality