The Liberty-Clairton area woke up to unhealthy air quality again Tuesday, with EPA’s NowCast AQI soaring to 183 and hourly monitor data showing elevated levels of PM2.5, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide at the Liberty monitor. HEADS UP: Liberty-Clairton waking up to horrific air quality today. Current AQI is listed as 183 by @AIRNow (CodeRed unhealthy for all) & @HealthAllegheny monitor data show sky-high concentrations of both PM2.5 and H2s at the Liberty monitor. Please take care if you’ll be out. pic.twitter.com/9RDdwK4hxP — GASP (@GASPPgh) March 15, 2022 By 8:20 a.m., the Allegheny County Health Department issued the following through the Allegheny Alert system and through social media: Mon Valley Air Pollution Warning Issued An Air Pollution Warning has been issued for the Mon Valley for today and all of tomorrow. The 24-hour PM2.5 standard for the Mon Valley has been exceeded at an official monitoring station in the Mon Valley and is likely to continue. pic.twitter.com/EpTUuzMymi — Allegheny County Health Department (@HealthAllegheny) March 15, 2022 An Air Pollution Warning has been issued for the Mon Valley for the remainder of today and all of tomorrow. The 24-hour PM2.5 standard for the Mon Valley has been exceeded at an official monitoring station in the Mon Valley and is likely to continue. 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 during this time. Companies most significantly contributing to particulate pollution in the Mon Valley region are required to temporarily reduce particulate emissions. For those who might need a refresher on the Mon Valley Air Pollution Episode Rule, check out our FAQ here. Editor’s Note: At 9:30 a.m. the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a Code Orange Action Day for the Liberty-Clairton area for particulate matter (PM2.5). DEP Declares Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulate Matter for Tuesday, March 15, 2022, in the Liberty-Clairton area in Allegheny County: https://t.co/XfzN20i6K3 pic.twitter.com/VNN5vW4kC1 — PA Department of Environmental Protection (@PennsylvaniaDEP) March 15, 2022 #MonValleyAirPollutionWarning #PM25 #MonValleyairquality #A #USSteel #ClairtonCokeWorks #MonValleyAirPollutionEpisodeRule

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Tuesday morning issued a Mon Valley Air Pollution Warning for Tuesday and all of Wednesday. That, of course, meant that the rolling 24-hour average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) level at ACHD’s air quality monitor in Liberty borough exceeded the federal health-based standard *and* that ACHD is confident poor air quality is likely to continue. For those who might need a refresher on the Mon Valley Air Pollution Episode Rule, check out our FAQ here. But PM2.5 wasn’t the only problematic pollutant this morning, nor was it the only one that exceeded regulatory limits. Hourly monitor data show there was also an exceedance of the federal health-based sulfur dioxide (SO2) standard at Liberty. That standard requires SO2 levels to remain below 75 parts per billion (ppb).  So far this morning there were three hours over that limit, with the highest being 89 ppb. In addition, concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (also known as H2S, which has a distinct rotten-egg stench) exceeded Pennsylvania’s 24-hour average standard at the Liberty monitor.  Today makes three days out of five air quality has exceeded the state standard: March 11, Monday (March 14), and today (March 15). There were also exceedances of the PA H2S standard on Monday and today at the North Braddock monitor. This run of foul-smelling air comes on the heels of ACHD last week publishing a study that showed that years’ worth of H2S exceedances at the Liberty monitor were “entirely” caused by emissions from U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works facility and later issuing an associated enforcement order complete with a $1.8 million fine. “Air quality is just awful this morning,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “We’re grateful to ACHD for not hesitating to issue the Mon Valley Air Pollution Warning earlier, but we’re left wondering if any of the sources of the problem care what they are doing to their neighbors. This shouldn’t still be happening and it shouldn’t take regulatory intervention to force companies to consider their impact on public health.” Editor’s Note: We graphed the H2S and PM2.5 data from the Liberty monitor- check it out: #H2S #SO2 #H2Sexceedance #hydrogensulfide #USSteelsClairtonCokeWorks #USSteel #LibertyMonitor #hydrogensulfideexceedance #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #ClairtonCokeWorks #airqualityinLibertyClairton #airquality

In Wednesday’s Federal Register, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its finalized determination that Allegheny County has attained the 2012 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The determination is “based on three years of certified, complete, and valid ambient air monitoring data between 2018 and 2020.” “The annual 2012 NAAQS for PM2.5 is 15 micrograms per cubic meter. To attain the standard, the three-year average of annual mean concentrations cannot exceed that level,” GASP senior staff attorney John Baillie explained. “The inhalation of PM2.5 causes a variety of health problems, so the attainment of the NAAQS is welcome news, even though EPA’s own Integrated Science Assessment conducted in 2019 found that the 2012 annual PM2.5 standard may not adequately protect human health.” As a practical matter, EPA’s determination effectively suspends any obligation for Allegheny County to submit contingency measures (meaning, additional pollution control requirements) to EPA for as long as the county continues to attain the NAAQS, and also means that EPA will not impose a “federal implementation plan” on the county as long as it continues to attain the standard (a federal implementation plan is an additional set of regulations meant to assure attainment and compliance with the NAAQS). EPA’s determination also leaves the county free to request that EPA formally redesignate it as being in attainment of the 2012 annual PM2.5 standard, which requires the submission of a “maintenance plan” to EPA. Editor’s Note: You can read more about the determination process here. #ACHD #AlleghenyCounty #alleghenycountyairquality

We have some *good* news to report for once! Pennsylvania’s Environmental Quality Board has approved new regulations aimed at controlling emissions of volatile organic compounds from sources in the oil and natural gas industry. We commented on these regulations as they were proposed back in July 2020. “The new regulations will require oil and natural gas operators to beef up their leak detection and repair programs at well sites, compressor stations, and storage vessels and also generally require the use of equipment that will reduce VOC emissions,” GASP senior staff attorney John Baillie said. “As a co-benefit, the measures required by the new regulation should also reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas methane from the sources that it covers.” The EQB-ratified regulations must still be approved by the standing committees for Environmental Resources and Energy of both the Pennsylvania House and Senate, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, and the Attorney General before they can be published and become effective. GASP continues to follow this issue closely and will keep you posted. #emissions #volatileorganiccompounds

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is releasing a draft Environmental Justice Public Participation Policy that strengthens language on how it oversees and participates in environmental justice priorities and reform with community partners. The public comment period on the policy is open through Wednesday, May 11. The EJ Policy will help shape and guide DEP’s involvement in environmental justice areas. Since 2004, DEP and the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) have engaged with various stakeholders, including DEP staff, community residents, and the Environmental Justice Advisory Board, to make sure a just and fair commitment to vulnerable communities is made. The EJ Policy includes several sections to expand and improve upon the existing Environmental Justice Public Participation Policy which has been in effect since 2004. The current EJ Policy includes several sections: General Information, which includes definitions, history and background, a description of DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice, and the Environmental Justice Advisory Board. Description of the Permit Review Process and Community Input. This is the process for collecting additional public input for a list of particular permits. Oil and Gas Public Engagement, which was a major need identified by community members. Inspections, Compliance, and Enforcement guidance to expand the policy beyond public participation in the permitting process. Climate Initiatives, which spell out ways that environmental justice can be included in DEP’s climate action plan and other efforts. Opportunities for Community Development and Investments, which considers opportunities to financially assist communities facing environmental justice issues. Policy Updates, which specifies that the policy should be reviewed for updates regularly to ensure that the policy continues to address community concerns. DEP will hold three virtual public hearings for the purpose of accepting comments on the Draft Environmental Justice Policy. The hearings will be held as follows: 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5 (Web Link, Audio conference: +1-415-655-0003, Access code: 2630 690 8427) 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12 (Web Link, Audio conference: +1-415-655-0003, Access code: 2633 346 6724) Noon on Thursday, April 28 (Web Link, Audio conference: +1-415-655-0003, Access code: 2633 980 7600) Persons wishing to present testimony at a hearing must contact Glenda Davidson, 717-783-4759 or RA-EPOEJ@pa.gov, at least 24 hours in advance, to reserve a time to present testimony. Language interpretation services are available upon request. Persons in need of language interpretation services must contact Davidson at RA-EPOEJ@pa.gov or at 717-783-4759 at least one week in advance. Verbal testimony is limited to five minutes for each person. Organizations are limited to designating one person to present testimony on their behalf at one hearing. The hearings will be held through WebEx. People may provide testimony by means of telephone or WebEx teleconference. Video demonstrations and screen sharing by those presenting testimony will not be permitted. Members of the public wishing to observe a virtual public hearing without providing testimony are able to view these hearings using the links above. Those who have not registered in advance as described previously will remain muted for the duration of the public hearing. For submitting written comments, commenters are encouraged to submit comments using DEP’s online eComment tool at https://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment/ or by e-mail to ecomment@pa.gov. Written comments may be mailed to the Technical Guidance Coordinator, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063. #DEP #EnvironmentalJustice #publiccomments

Hey high school students: Want to help build a happier, healthier, and more equitable future? Interested in a career in sustainability but not sure where to start? Then we have some great news: Full and partial scholarships are open for application for high school students interested in attending Chatham University’s Sustainable Leadership Academy slated for  July 23-31. Here’s how organizers describe the experience: Explore topics in sustainability and social justice during an unforgettable week-long experiential retreat at Eden Hall Campus—the world’s first academic community built to be sustainable from below the ground up. The program this year will explore topics including art as activism, sustainable fashion, urban planning and gentrification, ecology, food systems, energy, green buildings…and more! The program is open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, as well as students leaving 12th grade. Chatham’s Sustainable Leadership Academy provides the chance to: Experience a taste of college life and earn college credit (which can be covered by scholarship funding!) Participate in hands-on experiential learning with Chatham faculty in the field Explore sustainable highlights of Pittsburgh during guided tours Dive deeply into the connection between participants’ social identities, social justice and sustainability Develop the leadership skills needed to be a change agent Meet like-minded friends Relax and recharge in nature, through exercise or with art Here’s what you need to know to apply: WHEN: March 31 is the next “early bird” scholarship application deadline. Additional scholarships will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 1. WHO: Students with demonstrated financial need and students of color are eligible for SLA scholarships. All applicants for the “early bird” scholarship deadline must attend public school or an approved public charter school. HOW: To apply, please register for the program and then follow the instructions listed on the Credit & Scholarships page of the program website, also listed on the scholarship form during the registration process. #ChathamSustainableLeadershipAcademy #EnvironmentalJustice #sustainablefashion

Mark your calendars because Allegheny County just announced that it’s partnering with the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) for a second year to offer its Traveling Glass Recycling Bin Program in county parks. Beginning on Saturday, April 2, the bin will be located in each park for six days, Saturday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to sundown to allow residents a resource to recycle glass. County officials said in a press release that glass recycling continues to be of interest to county residents especially considering there are fewer curbside options available. Here’s an excerpt: “We know that glass bottles and jars are 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without losing any quality, making the effort to put these items back into the recycling ecosystem even more important. Thank you to PRC and our county Parks Department for making this a priority for our communities.” Little background on the initiative: The Traveling Glass Recycling Bin Program provides a free recycling option using a bin that rotates through locations in western Pennsylvania. Last year at county park events, residents recycled 10.2 tons (20,490 lbs) of glass which reduces CO2 emissions by 0.29 tons. Here’s some more need-to-know info: Individuals can drop off glass bottles, jars, and jugs of all colors No color sorting is required Containers should be empty and rinsed, with lids and labels still on Bags and boxes used to deliver glass must be discarded off-site The program is sponsored by Owens-Illinois, Inc. and CAP Glass and is made possible through a partnership with Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling. The collection sites at the county parks are made possible through a partnership with the county’s Parks Department and its Sustainability Office. GASP thanks county leaders for bringing back the program for a second year and encourages residents to take advantage of it. “There are so many reasons to get your glass recyclables to a county park during the collection periods,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “Glass recycling takes less energy to produce and research shows that it reduces related air pollution by as much as 20 percent and water pollution by half. This is an easy way to take concrete earth-friendly action.” You can get more information and take a look at collection dates and times here (click Collection Schedules). #alleghenycountyrecycling #AlleghenyCountyglassrecycling #glassrecycling #emissions #airquality #MichaelBrothersHaulingampRecycling

In mere days the sole remaining coal-fired electric generating plant in Allegheny County is scheduled to cease operations, ending a decades-old air pollution horror story for so many local residents living, working, and recreating near the facility. While court documents and enforcement orders – one of which occurred as recently as Aug. 17, 2020 – tell the tale of Cheswick Generating Station’s dereliction in complying with air quality regulations, they don’t effectively illustrate the impact the facility’s emissions had on our friends and neighbors. That’s why GASP thought it was important to put the spotlight on the powerful work of  Pittsburgh-based photographer Lynn Johnson, who was part of a 2016 exhibit titled “In the Air” that explored the relationship between some of the area’s most prolific polluters and the people and places that surrounded them. We’ll let our veteran board member Roger Day tell you more. Roger produced this amazing video that lets everyone know that some air quality horror stories do have a happy ending: #LynnJohnson #CheswickPowerStation #airpollution #RogerDay #airquality

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) on Thursday announced in a press release that it has imposed more than $4.5 million in penalties against U.S. Steel for 831 uncontrolled push violations at its Clairton Coke Works facility. The violations occurred between Jan. 1, 2020, and March 15, 2022. Here’s what the release said: “Pushing is the operation of unloading, or “pushing,” finished coke from the oven into a traveling hot car to be transported and cooled. To contain emissions, a travel hood is placed over the vehicle outside of the coke oven door while the coke is pushed into the car. The hood forces emissions to pass through filters and then vents the emissions through a pushing emission control system (PEC). An uncontrolled push occurs when emissions that would normally go through the PEC do not, resulting in emissions that are not captured or filtered being released into the air. The US Steel Clairton Coke Plant is required to submit monthly process information reports to the Health Department, a requirement resulting from a previous enforcement order on July 23, 1990. Other pollution sources in Allegheny County must submit process reports on a semi-annual or quarterly basis. Air Quality staff reviewed the process information reports dating back to the start of 2020, as well as breakdown reports for the same time period, in determining the 831 violations. The process information reports covered by the order are available online on the Air Quality Program’s Compliance Status Report page.Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen has made air quality and enforcement a priority, in part by reorganizing the Bureau of Environmental Health and creating new positions focused on air quality enforcement. The Health Department has nearly doubled the enforcement section alone, from 13 staff members to 25, which allows the Air Quality team to more thoroughly analyze data and identify violations.“We are committed to protecting residents’ health and holding sources of pollution accountable,” Dr. Bogen said. “The Health Department expects 100% compliance, and this latest enforcement action further demonstrates our commitment to protecting air quality for all. I thank my staff for their continued hard work and vigilance.” In recent months, the Health Department has taken several steps to protect air quality. On October 5, 2021, the Health Department issued an enforcement order against Neville Chemical Company for violating emissions limits in their Title V permit. As part of its efforts to launch the Mon Valley Episode Rule, designed to improve air quality and signed into law by County Executive Fitzgerald in September 2021, the Health Department announced on February 3, 2022 that it had finalized review of all submitted mitigation plans, approving 10 and rejecting six (6). The six plans previously rejected have been re-submitted and are currently under review.On March 3, 2022, the Health Department announced a penalty of $859,300 against U.S. Steel for Article XXI Air Pollution Control violations and permit violations at the Clairton Coke Plant in the third and fourth quarters of 2021. Four days later, the Health Department announced a penalty of $1.8 million against U.S. Steel for 153 Hydrogen Sulfide exceedances recorded at the Liberty Monitor from January 1, 2020, through March 1, 2022. For the most recent enforcement order, the Health Department reviewed monthly data for uncontrolled pushes and found that they occurred at the PECs for eight of the plant’s 10 coke batteries. The penalty is based on several factors including the nature, severity, and frequency of the violations; the willfulness of such violations; and the impact of such violations on the public and the environment. The calculation for the penalty is based on the number of violations, compliance history of the Clairton Coke Plant, and the Title V Major Source status of the plant.U.S. Steel has 30 days to appeal or pay the penalty. A copy of this and all air quality enforcement actions can be found here.” GASP is reviewing the enforcement document and lauds ACHD for taking this latest, robust enforcement action. “Environmental laws and regulations protect public health. I think ACHD’s recent enforcement efforts validate what community members have experienced for far too long: that U.S. Steel is not even close to being the good neighbor it pretends to be in its public statements,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “In comments we submitted to ACHD last week regarding U.S. Steel’s application to renew its air quality operating permit for the Clairton Coke facility, we pointed out the permit is required by federal and local regulation to include a binding schedule of actions and benchmarks that will get this entire facility fully compliant with air quality regulations. Our comments also highlighted decades of failures on US Steel’s part to comply with air quality regulations.” He continued: “This most recent fine – and the several other before it this month – only reinforces our belief it’s time for U.S. Steel to admit its failures as a ‘good neighbor,’ clean up its act and invest the money necessary to ensure Clairton Coke can comply with the laws designed to protect public health.” \ #USSteel #pushingviolations #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #ClairtonCokeWorks #airquality

The $4.6 million fine Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) issued against U.S. Steel for more than 800 air quality violations last week made headlines but it wasn’t the only enforcement action taken against local air polluters. ACHD’s enforcement docket shows the department also took several actions related to asbestos violations. Here are the companies ACHD put on notice: IDR LLC and Watts Construction Co. for violations of the county’s asbestos-related air quality regulations while renovating a property at 3519 Penn Ave. A Jan. 20 administrative field order shows that ACHD ordered the companies to immediately stop all work and cease all operations for failure to perform an asbestos survey prior to renovation activities commencing. The order also required the companies to have the third floor of the property decontaminated by an ACHD-licensed asbestos-abatement contractor. They were also ordered to conduct air sampling. Lolev Brewing Company for violations of the county’s asbestos-related air quality regulations during renovations at 5247 Butler St. in Lawrenceville. ACHD on March 11 ordered the company to cease all renovations for failing to conduct and submit to the department an asbestos report as required. The administrative field order also indicated that the company also violated county air pollution regulations when it conducted abrasive blasting for paint removal without first testing it for lead content. ACHD gave the company 30 days to submit a thorough asbestos report and lab samples of the remaining paint. Yarborough Enterprises for failing to conduct an asbestos survey as required before the start of renovations at 1125 Romine Ave. in Port Vue. ACHD on Jan. 20 ordered the company to stop all work/cease operations at the property until a thorough asbestos report with bulk testing of the remaining materials, as well as air quality sampling. At this point, we think it’s important to give just a little more information on asbestos because so many people wrongly believe it is no longer an air quality issue of concern. It very much is – especially here in Allegheny County. When asbestos is left undisturbed it does not pose a health risk. During renovation or demolition, however, it’s common for old, brittle asbestos products to release tiny fibers. These tasteless, odorless fibers can remain suspended in the air and enter your lungs when you inhale. And once inhaled, asbestos stays there forever. Exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can cause serious health issues including asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pleural disease.  And there is no safe minimum level of exposure to asbestos.  An estimated 10,000 cases of asbestos-related disease occur each year in the U.S. as a result of past exposures. It can take 20-40 years for some of these diseases to manifest, so we are currently seeing the results of exposures from the 1980s and 1990s now. Also of note: Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. And health officials say that the mortality rate for mesothelioma in Allegheny County is “significantly higher” than that of both Pennsylvania and the nation. GASP continues to remain concerned about the burgeoning number of asbestos-related violations in the county and thanks ACHD for taking action. ACHD also issued took action related to open burning: Brandon Tomcheck of 3109 Orchard St. in McKeesport was fined $1,700 for violating Allegheny County’s open burning rules. A March 3 enforcement order indicates inspectors visited Tomcheck’s home on four occasions between Dec. 22, 2021, and Feb. 16 following numerous residential complaints and found evidence of illegal burning of construction materials. The order states inspectors provided information on the regulation and provided Tomcheck with information regarding Allegheny County’s Open Burning regulations and issued two formal warnings. “At each visit, resident stated he would change behaviors or stop. Burning activity continued after warnings,” the document stated. Tomcheck was given 30 days to pay the fine and was ordered to “cease burning activities until a compliant burn area has been established.” The order also indicates that Tomcheck failed to return a voicemail as well as a written request for a phone call.” Then, on March 25, police were dispatched to a fire at Tomcheck’s residence, according to the order. Of the $1,700 civil penalty, $900 was assessed as a “gravity-based component.” Little background on that: ACHD’s Civil Penalty Policy allows the department to assess a fine that reflects the potential harm that the violation may have on the public or environment and the severity of the violation and the level of cooperation from the violator. If you’re saying to yourself right now, “What’s the big deal about woodsmoke” then we are GLAD you asked. Here’s why: Wood smoke contains very fine particles able to reach deep into the lungs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “fine particles can trigger heart attacks, stroke, irregular heart rhythms, and heart failure, especially in people who are already at risk for these conditions. Fine particles can (also) make asthma symptoms worse and trigger asthma attacks.” Wood smoke contains dozens of air toxics including known human carcinogens benzene and formaldehyde. We have more information on wood smoke on our blog. Our friends at Environment and Human Health Inc. also have many resources regarding wood smoke on their website. You can read more about Allegheny County’s open-burning rules here. The Allegheny County Health Department also took action against a local school district and transit company for violations of Pennsylvania’s Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act: ABC Transit of McKees Rocks and the Sto Rox School District were issued a warning letter from ACHD on March 4 that provided formal notice that the department had received multiple complaints from residents about buses idling excessively at 1105 Valley Street. The letter also indicated that inspectors observed buses idling for longer than five minutes over a 60-minute span prior to loading students – which violated the Diesel-Powered Motor Act. The company and district were ordered to provide ACHD a compliance plan detailing how the issue would be resolved within 30 days or face possible fines. GASP applauds ACHD for taking action on complaints submitted by residents and hopes it will continue to be responsive to the concerns of folks living near air pollution sources. #AlleghenyCountyOpenBurningRegulations #asbestosabatement #YarboroughEnterprises #alleghenycountyairquality #WattsConstructionCo #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD