The demand indicated that Brackenridge-based ATI (a specialty steel manufacturer) and Harsco (which processes slag from ATI) violated the county’s Air Pollution Control regulations five times between July 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2020. A $1,500 penalty was assessed for each violation. According to ACHD, an investigation revealed that the dust observed on residents’ vehicles was consistent with slag fugitive emissions from Harsco/ATI operations.  A previous investigation by the health department determined that the dust was primarily lime. Inhaling lime dust may lead to irritation of breathing passages, coughing and sneezing. How did ACHD come up with the amount of the penalty? A Jan. 7 consent agreement between ACHD, ATI, and Harsco set a penalty of $1,500 per violation. ATI and Harsco have 30 days from the date of the demand to submit payment to ACHD. You can read more about the consent agreement – which required that the companies construct a building to enclose slag operations as well as pay a $107,000 civil penalty. This is the second quarter during which ACHD issued a demand for stipulated penalties against ATI and Harsco. The department issued a $6,000 demand on Aug. 20 for violations made between April 30 and June 30, 2020. In a separate enforcement action, ACHD on July 30 assessed a $1,320 civil penalty against ATI for an opacity violation that occurred July 7, 2019 and was brought to light in a semi-annual report the company submitted to the department on Jan. 30, 2020. #Harsco

Mark your calendars for two upcoming panel discussions regarding the intersection of soil, air and water pollution and gender justice as well as sexual orientation justice co-hosted by Chatham University, GASP, and several other local groups. The first event is slated from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 10 and will feature a group of powerful intergenerational leaders who will share their work and the ways they think about changes to those systems. Chatham is also seeking youth panelists to tackle those same subjects at a second event slated for 6 p.m. Dec. 15. “Our goal is to help mobilize young people and educators to take action related to pollution, gender justice and sexual orientation justice in ways that create joy, resilience and increased access to health and other opportunities,” organizers noted. Chatham is seeking youth speakers between the ages of  8-18 who are interested in participating in a panel to discuss actions they believe their communities are taking to increase environmental/health justice and gender/sexuality justice in our region. Artists, spoken word, videographers, and others are encouraged to submit to participate. This is a paid speaking opportunity. Please note: Those interested in serving as panelists must be available both Dec. 1 and Dec. 15 from 6-7pm for this opportunity. Dec. 1 will be a planning meeting so all panelists selected can meet each other.  To apply go here. Organizers stressed that you do not need to work both on pollution AND gender or sexuality justice to submit to participate – they hope to build conversations between people who are activists and community builders that may not normally talk to each other. Both events are free and open for all ages to attend – adults, high schoolers, middle schoolers and younger students who are passionate about this topic are welcome to register and participate in the free online event. Can’t attend the live events but want to submit a question for the panelists and then watch the recordings? No worries! You can submit your question to the intergenerational panel here and register here. You can submit your questions to the youth panel here and register here. #airpollution #ChathamUniversity

The vote came in the wake of 45-minutes of testimony both in support of and in opposition to sending the draft regulations out to public comment. GASP has long encouraged the Allegheny County Health Department to tighten up its coke oven regulations to make them as protective of public health as possible and lauded the BOH vote. “The regulations we have in place right now aren’t effectively combating fugitive emissions of air pollutants like hydrogen sulfide,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said following the vote. “We’re glad the process is moving along and look forward to submitting comments to help make the draft regulations as strong and protective of public health as possible. It is important that everyone, especially those most impacted by the air pollution have ample opportunity to weigh in and have their comments be part of the public record.” ACHD officials have asked for an extended public comment period of 60 days. Generally, there is a 30-day public comment period. For those who might be unfamiliar: ACHD’s proposed revisions to the coke oven gas regulations would: Immediately lower the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) grain-loading standard from 40 to 35 grains per 100 dry standard cubic feet of air (dscf) and then (in 2025) further lowering the standard to 23 grains per 100 dscf. Add six sulfur compounds to the calculation for determining compliance with the H2S standard Clarify technical language and definitions to mirror state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations. Remove specific inspection and observation methods. GASP late last year petitioned ACHD to keep its 2018 promise to tighten up its coke oven regs to reduce hydrogen sulfide – an air toxin that smells like rotten eggs – and reduce associated exceedances of the state standard. “Let’s remember these regulations are so important because coke-making is a primary source of hydrogen sulfide in Allegheny County and U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works is the number-one emitter of H2S not only here, but in the whole state,” Filippini said. So far in 2020 there have been 19 days during which H2S concentrations at ACHD’s Liberty monitor mathematically exceeded the state standard. Editor’s Note: Here’s the Post-Gazette report on the meeting.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) this afternoon issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter for Saturday in the Liberty-Clairton Area of Allegheny County which includes Clairton City, Glassport Borough, Liberty Borough, Lincoln Borough, and Port Vue Borough. A strong temperature inversion supported by snow cover, along with very light to calm winds associated with a ridge of high pressure moving over Pennsylvania, will contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Orange range, DEP said in a news release Friday. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes for forecasting and reporting daily air quality. Green signifies good air quality; Yellow means moderate air quality; Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people; and Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all. An Air Quality Action Day is issued when the AQI is forecasted to be Code Orange or higher. On an air quality action day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities. GASP joins DEP in urging residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day area to voluntarily help reduce air pollution by: • Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use • Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash and other materials • Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment #DEP

UPDATE: This blog was updated at 5:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23 to reflect new information from the Allegheny County Health Department. A brand new PM2.5 monitor was installed at Allegheny County Health Department’s Lawrenceville air quality monitoring site Wednesday, Dec. 23, an ACHD spokesman confirmed. The monitor had been taken offline Dec. 16 because of “erratic data” being reported. An ACHD spokesman said that data from the monitor is now appearing on AirNow.gov, but it doesn’t come up as of yet on the health department’s dashboard. “The health department is working to resolve that issue and hopes to do it by next week,” ACHD Communications Lead Aaron Aupperlee said in an email Wednesday. #ACHD #airquality #Lawrenceville

On Christmas Eve 2018 – a fire at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works disabled its air pollution controls designed to reduce sulfur content from escaping the facility. That fire led the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) to initially issue an enforcement order against U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works for continued Article XXI permit violations for daily sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions after the Dec. 24 fire. As you may recall, while Pittsburgh did get a white Christmas last year, it was because of smog, not snow: A days-long inversion trapped air pollution, not allowing it to disperse. The result was six days in a row of hydrogen sulfide exceedances at the Liberty monitor and five straight days where concentrations of fine particulate matter exceeded federal health-based standards. The incidents led to a sharper focus on two much-needed regulation updates: Those governing coke ovens and those regarding episodic weather events. Fortunately, ACHD has made progress with both of these regulations over the past year. The draft coke oven regulations are now in public comment, and GASP’s attorneys are   in the process of analyzing them and composing comments we will share with you as soon as they are complete. Progress on those episodic weather regulations aren’t as far down the line, though – there’s no chance that they will be approved this year, as Pittsburgh enters a new inversion season. That means that if the Pittsburgh region is hit with another days-long period of poor air dispersion, ACHD officials won’t have the authority to order companies that produce air pollution to dial down production or otherwise stem industrial emissions. “We totally get it: Regulations take time,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. “But while the health department might not have the legal authority to demand industry curtail emissions right now, they are within their right – and responsibility – to provide the public they serve with as much advance notice of these events as possible. They can also explicitly urge industry to take the same mitigation efforts they ask residents to take.” While ACHD did provide notice during the last days-long inversion last month, it only did so after the bad air had passed. “Meteorologists let the audience know before a thunderstorm hits so people know to bring an umbrella to help protect them from the rain,” Filippini said. “ACHD needs to take a similar approach and let people know of a potential bad air day sooner rather than later so they can take similar precautions. As we know, children in the Mon Valley are three times as likely to suffer from asthma – so this is a very real issue to the people living near industrial sources of air pollution.” #episodicweatherregulations #airpollution #MonValley #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #airquality

The Wolf Administration this week announced that a $2.5 million contract is in place with the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health to conduct research on the potential health effects of hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania. “We are pleased to announce that we have chosen a partner to assist us in researching the health effects of hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a release issued Tuesday. “My administration is committed to ensuring that Pennsylvania is a healthy, vibrant place for all who call it home. We look forward to the invaluable research that will be done by the University of Pittsburgh and the information it will provide for the commonwealth.” In March of 2020, the Department of Health published a four-county report on the number of Ewing’s Family of Tumors, cases of childhood cancer and total cancer cases in Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties. “We have heard the concerns from families and community members impacted by cancer and other health issues in the southwestern part of the state, and we are dedicated to taking the proper steps to keep our residents healthy,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We are committed to a healthy Pennsylvania for all and efforts that prevent injury and disease in the state. This essential research project is a testament to that.” Pitt Public Health will be conducting two observational epidemiological studies focusing on known or suspected health effects of hydraulic fracturing. One study will be led by Dr. Evelyn Talbott, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., Professor of Epidemiology at Pitt Public Health and director of the Environmental Epidemiology section. She has more than 35 years of experience conducting cancer and other health effects studies in southwestern Pennsylvania and abroad. Dr. Talbott will investigate the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and the development of childhood cancers in southwestern Pennsylvania. “I grew up in Washington County, and one of my first epidemiology investigations at Pitt involved a health study of thyroid cancer among those living near a uranium mill tailings site,” Dr. Talbott said. “So this investigation holds both personal and professional significance to me. I am committed to community inclusion and openness as we go forward in our endeavor to learn the facts.” The other study, led by the director of Pitt Public Health’s Center for Occupational Biostatistics and Epidemiology and Research Associate Professor of Biostatistics, Dr. Jeanine Buchanich, Ph.D., M.Ed., M.P.H., will aim to replicate earlier studies on acute conditions, such as asthma and birth outcomes, using data from southwestern Pennsylvania. “As a lifelong resident of southwestern Pennsylvania with much of my research focusing on environmental health in the area, I am personally and professionally committed to a systematic investigation of the health effects of hydraulic fracturing,” said Dr. Buchanich. The goal is for both studies to be completed within the next two years. As part of the contract, Pitt Public Health will be producing public-facing summaries on a quarterly basis to keep the public updated about the research. They also will work to provide a study progress update at the end of the first year. At the conclusion of the project, a public meeting will provide information on the final outcomes of the research. “Congrats to our friends at Pitt Public Health on being tasked with conducting this important research – research that is sorely needed here in southwestern Pennsylvania,” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. #asthma #fracking #PittPublicHealth

Dear Fellow Breathers, Congratulations are in order: It’s Dec. 26 and the roller-coaster ride that was 2020 is nearing an end. We survived  ! With just a few days left in what was a challenging 12 months, GASP is shifting its focus from the year that was to the year that will be. While 2020 is a year that a lot of folks will try to forget, we’re hopeful that 2021 will be one to remember. In fact, we’re resolved to make it so. It might be a bit early, but we’re locking in our New Year’s Resolutions now – and we want you to know exactly what GASP will be striving for over the next year. Because not to sound like a Bryan Adams song from the 1990s or anything, but everything we do…we do in fact do it for you. Well, you and clean air. So here goes: In 2021, your friends at GASP resolve to… Keep a watchful eye on air quality data, as well as industrial air polluters and the officials in charge of regulating them to bring you not only watchdog reports – but real change in policy, enforcement, and ultimately, air quality as a whole. Fight for episodic weather regulations that are as protective of public health as possible. You can count on us to work with the Allegheny County Health Department to ensure that industrial polluters are forced to dial down operations that could negatively impact air quality during inversions and other weather events. Continue to serve as a resource for not only our members, but the public at large, residents of frontline communities bearing the brunt of Pittsburgh’s poor air quality, educators, and others committed to improving the air we all breathe. Work to diversify our board, our staff, and to ensure that our educational offerings, events, content, and initiatives are as inclusive as possible – we will continue to be a voice for frontline community members as well as a listening ear, a collaborator, and ally. We know we’ve said it many times before, but it’s true: We wouldn’t be able to do any of the above without support from members like you. As the battle for clean air continues, please know how much we appreciate having you fighting alongside us. As the year winds down, it’s not too late to become a member, renew your membership, or make a tax-deductible year-end donation. As a small token of our appreciation, we’d like to offer those making donations of $60 or more a special gift. Memberships can be purchased and donations can be made via check or online. For those who would prefer to make a credit card payment over the phone, our office manager Kathy would be happy to help you do that – please feel free to email her at kathy@gasp-pgh.org with your phone number and the best time for her to call. Yours for Clean Air, The GASP Team #airpollution #airquality

Allegheny County experienced two more air quality exceedances last week when the midnight-to-midnight 24-hour average concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exceeded Pennsylvania’s air quality standard of 0.005 ppm. Those exceedances occurred at Allegheny County Health Department’s (ACHD’s) North Braddock air quality monitor on both Dec. 23 and Dec. 24, with 24-hour concentrations of 0.007 ppm and 0.008 ppm, respectively. For those keeping track: The latest H2S exceedances bring the total to 28 so far this year, according to preliminary data from ACHD. When it comes to H2S, Allegheny County saw the highest one-hour concentration (across all ACHD monitors for the entire year) between midnight and 1 a.m. today at the North Braddock monitor – 0.060 ppm. During that same hour, data show sulfur dioxide concentration at the North Braddock monitor was 0.070 ppm, close to the federal health-based standard of 0.075 ppm. We know that air quality data can be confusing and that sometimes visuals help – so check this out: #H2S #hydrogensulfide #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #NorthBraddock #ACHD #airquality

With everyone spending a whole lot more time inside, indoor air quality is more important than ever. Because the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) designates January as National Radon Action Month, it seems like the perfect time to remind you why testing for that particular pollutant is paramount. Just so we’re all on the same page before we get into the particulars: 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. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 deaths each year nationally. In fact, it’s the leading cause of death from lung cancer among nonsmokers in the United States. Unfortunately, folks here in Pennsylvania need to be particularly vigilant when it comes to this home hazard because the Keystone State’s geology makes some locations in the commonwealth hotbeds for the stuff. Fortunately, exposure to radon is preventable. The key is testing: And you don’t have to hire a certified professional to perform it (although you certainly could opt to do that) – you can do it yourself with the help of a simple, inexpensive testing kit. Bonus: Winter is the best time to test because doors and windows are closed, which provides more accurate results. Bigger bonus: The American Lung Association of Pennsylvania and DEP are currently providing radon testing kits at no cost throughout the month of January. You can get more info here. If the testing reveals high levels of radon in your home (EPA recommends no more than 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or more of the gas in your indoor air) it’s recommended that you install a radon-reduction system. The radon-reduction systems usually involve the installation of a pipe and exhaust fan to vent the gas outdoors. While the remediation may be costly, experts say mitigating a radon leak could make the sale of your home go more smoothly in the future. It’s important to note that radon exposure isn’t just a health hazard at home – it’s also one at many schools. A recent survey indicated that 20 percent of schools have at least one classroom with high, short-term radon levels. While the EPA does recommend all schools nationwide be tested for radon, only about 20 percent of schools have done so. This problem prompted about a dozen states to implement laws regarding radon exposure in schools. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania was not – and is not – among them. To learn more about radon in school, check out this helpful fact sheet from our friends at Women for a Healthy Environment. You can learn more about radon, its health impacts, and mitigation measures on the EPA website. Editor’s Note: For more information on radon, and other common home hazards like asbestos and lead, and how you can prevent associated health impacts join GASP and a panel of experts at 6 p.m. Jan. 14. #lead #radon #makingtheconnection #ROCIS #Asbestos #asbestosabatement #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #airquality