So, anything big happen lately? OK. We admit. Lame joke. Sorry, sorry: Sometimes if you can’t laugh, you’ll cry. This week has been a whirlwind (and it’s only Thursday). And the changes on the federal level are coming at a blistering pace. The new administration has already revoked so many of President Biden’s executive orders related to environmental justice and climate change and yanked the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement.  Folks are concerned about rollbacks of crucial regulations dealing with coke oven emissions and other air quality-related policy. An energy emergency has been declared. The attack on renewable energy is reaching a crescendo, drilling has been expanded and it’s only day four.   It can be easy to feel discouraged (or gutted even). But as Fred Rogers once said, "In times of trouble, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." Because here in Pittsburgh, we are rich with helpers. In every sector. We hope you join us not only in looking for those helpers, but in being them, too. As the saying goes, think globally, act locally. Here at GASP, that's exactly what we'll continue to do. Since 1969, we've been using all of our collective skill, passion, and power to: Improve our region's air quality Protect our collective public health Be a watchdog to polluting industries and the agencies that oversee them And you can count on us to be right there with you. The GASP team will be there to review permits, proposed regulations, and challenge them when necessary. We'll break down the complicated environmental issues you face and help you understand how to take meaningful action. And most importantly, we'll champion the rights of the most vulnerable among us. It's a new era, and we're going to weather it together, friends. As a first step in navigating this new era, we've made the decision to leave one of our social media platforms. While many of you have followed us and found important air quality updates on X, leaving this platform has been a long time coming, and recent events solidified our decision. You can still find GASP on these platforms: Facebook Instagram: @gasp-pgh Bluesky: @gasp-pgh LinkedIn You can also find us on our website or email us anytime at info@gasp-pgh.org .  In solidarity, The Gang at GASP

Good news: Fifteen environmental justice communities in Allegheny County are eligible to receive a combined $930,000 to beautify the area and mitigate flood damage. Students from the University of Pittsburgh's Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation are currently working with Braddock, Homestead, Wilkinsburg and Wilmerding to design projects. Residents will start to see the climate resilience transformations as early as this summer. The 15 eligible communities were identified using the ACHD EJ index , which was developed using community feedback and existing data on eight social and environmental indicators. These communities will receive incentives and assistance to develop climate resilience plans.   The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) was awarded the grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Environmental Justice Government-to-Government grant (EJG2G). The funding will support initiatives aimed at increasing climate resilience in environmental justice communities and contribute to ACHD's Plan for a Healthier Allegheny goal of having 33 communities with a climate resilience plan by 2027. The health department's goal is to increase the number of communities that are prepared to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Landforce will implement the projects designed by Pitt students which could include rain gardens and other installations to help reduce flood risk and address the community's climate resilience needs. Allegheny CleanWays will conduct cleanups aimed at reducing flood risk and water contamination such as eliminating illegal dumping sites, removing litter from storm drains or cleaning debris from waterways. The Allegheny County Health Department will also collaborate with the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority , the Allegheny County Departments of Sustainability and Emergency Services and two local Councils of Governments (COGs): Steel Rivers COG and Turtle Creek Valley COG . Get updates on the projects in the community by visiting Allegheny County EJG2G: Overview and Updates or sign up here for quarterly updates.

Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) Executive Director Patrick Campbell on Tuesday presented formal comments at a state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hearing in support of the agency's proposal to designate Allegheny County as a nonattainment area for the revised primary annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter. 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 - or GASP - a nonprofit working to improve our regional air quality since 1969. Thank you for the opportunity to address you today. GASP supports the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s proposal to designate Allegheny County as a nonattainment area for the revised primary annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter. Local residents, researchers, medical professionals and fellow environmental advocates know all too well how PM2.5 poses significant and widespread health risks to Allegheny County residents. As the so-called Steel City, Pittsburgh has a long history with industrial pollution. And the largest point-source of PM2.5 pollution in the entire state - U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works - is right here in Allegheny County.  That facility alone emitted more than 45 tons of PM2.5, as well as thousands of tons of precursor pollutants like Nitrogen Oxides, Sulfur Oxides, and Volatile Organic Compounds.  Exposure to these microscopic particles has been linked to serious respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and developmental impacts. It’s important to acknowledge that both nationally and locally, the burden of PM2.5 pollution is not equally distributed. Communities of color and low-income neighborhoods - like those we see here in the Mon Valley and other areas of Allegheny County - experience disproportionately higher levels of exposure, exacerbating existing health disparities.  And this environmental injustice demands urgent action.   The designation of Allegheny County as nonattainment is a critical step toward addressing these serious health concerns. This designation will empower the Allegheny County Health Department to: Identify the primary sources of PM2.5 pollution within the county Develop and implement effective strategies to reduce emissions Prioritize interventions in areas most impacted by air pollution GASP urges DEP to move forward with this designation for Allegheny County and to work collaboratively with local communities, environmental organizations, and public health agencies to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to achieve and maintain attainment of the revised PM2.5 NAAQS. Thank you. Editor's Note:

Today, we need a little help from our friends, fellow breathers. Specifically, our friends who live in the Hill District area. We need to find four host locations for air quality monitors as part of an EPA-funded project studying emissions from Lindy Paving.  “We are  specifically looking for locations in the neighborhoods in the Hill District closest to Lindy Paving like Crawford Roberts, the area around Kennard Park, and Middle Hill,” GASP field technician Julie Stouffer explained. “Not only would you be helping GASP and our community partners, it’s also an awesome opportunity for residents to better understand what’s in the air they and their neighbors are breathing.” To what end, you may ask? “We hope that by monitoring and sampling the air around polluters like Lindy will help provide leverage to environmental advocacy efforts and offer an opportunity for communication with the health department about local concerns,” she continued.  Need more info? No problem! Here are some documents for your review: Host Agreement Project Fact Sheet Julie will also be presenting on the air quality monitoring project at a free program at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Hill District branch. You can get more info on that right here. Editor’s Note: You can also check out this page for further details.  Also: Please feel free to reach out to us at julie@gasp-pgh.org  for any other questions you may have!

January is National Radon Action Month and the Allegheny County Health Department’s (ACHD) Housing and Community Environment Program is providing more than 900 free radon test kits for residents. Across the state 40 percent of homes are believed to have elevated radon levels, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes into homes from the ground. When breathed in, the radioactive particles move around in a person’s lungs and cause radiation damage to cells. With an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, radon is the second leading cause of the illness. The gas is completely undetectable by smell, taste, sight, or feel making the use of a test kit crucial to identifying the hazard. Testing regularly is the only reliable way to know if radon is in the home. The test is for informational and awareness purposes only, as ACHD does not regulate indoor radon levels. Pick up a test M-F between 8 AM and 4 PM at the Housing and Community Environment office (3190 Sassafras Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15201). One kit per household while supplies last so call ahead at 412-350-4046. The easy-to-follow instructions include the address the test should be shipped to after it is run to be analyzed by a laboratory for results. With the results of the test, residents are able to make an informed decision on how best to protect their lung health. According to the EPA, remediation for radon, done by a certified contractor, should be completed at 4pCi/L or higher, but is recommended for results as low as 2pCi/L. The presence or absence of radon in one home of a neighborhood does not indicate the levels in other homes nearby, even right next door. To learn more about radon, residents are encouraged to visit the program’s new radon webpage .  In addition, the Pennsylvania DEP has an educational webpage on radon that includes a list of certified radon mitigation companies and a feature to search for the average radon test data within Pennsylvania by zip code.

Good news alert for yinz: This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the interim decision for Ethylene Oxide (EtO) – a pesticide used on 50 percent of all sterilized medical devices in the United States and on about 30 percent of dried herbs and spices.  For the uninitiated: EtO is known to cause cancer, including lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma in people.   Workers who use EtO and people who work, live, or go to school or daycare near facilities that use EtO may breathe in emissions at levels that can increase cancer risk.  The greatest risk is for people who work for their entire careers at facilities directly handling EtO with insufficient worker protections in place. \ Two such facilities are right here in southwestern Pennsylvania - American Contract Systems, Inc., in Zelienople, Butler County, and Cosmed Group LLC/Erie in the City of Erie.   And GASP, which has followed this issue closely for years , lauds the EPA for taking the important action. "This updated risk assessment, a result of substantial effort and resources, is a victory for residents in Zelienople, Erie, and all other communities impacted by these sterilization facilities," GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. "The new rule will play a crucial role in mitigating the very real cancer risks they face." Now about the decision…First, it includes mitigation measures that, in addition to those included in the 2024 EtO National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants  (NESHAP), will reduce exposure to workers and nearby communities.  Together, these two EPA actions provide a comprehensive approach to addressing EtO pollution concerns, including cancer risk, that will increase safety in communities and for workers while supporting ongoing supply chain needs for sterilized medical equipment.  How We Got Here (Little Bit of Background) EPA regulates EtO’s use as a pesticide under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). EtO has both antimicrobial uses, such as sterilization of medical devices, and conventional uses, such as fumigation of dried herbs and spices.  In some instances, such as with sterilization of medical devices like surgical kits, EtO is the only available option, making it essential for protecting human health.   Every 15 years, EPA evaluates potential human health and environmental effects associated with the use of a pesticide through the registration review process. As part of EtO’s registration review, the agency assessed cancer risk from working in sterilization and health care facilities that use EtO, living in communities near EtO facilities, and consuming dried herbs and spices treated with EtO.   After a 75-day public comment period, EPA identified a broad set of protections under FIFRA that aim to reduce exposure to all EtO sterilization facility workers and to others who work, live, or go to school near sterilization facilities.  What Changed? What’s Gonna Change? Specifically, the decision includes:  a reduced EtO concentration rate limit for new medical device sterilization cycles to reduce levels of exposure for workers  a lowered worker exposure limit of 0.5 ppm after three years, 0.25 ppm after five years, and 0.1 ppm after 10 years (compared to the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard of 1 ppm) phased cancellation of the use of EtO on specific dried herbs and spices and cancellation of the use of EtO when safer and effective alternatives are available. When it Comes to Commercial Sterilizers… Lowered worker exposure limit of 0.5 ppm by 2028, 0.25 ppm by 2030, and 0.1 ppm by 2035, as compared to the 1984 OSHA limit of 1 ppm. Any workers who could be exposed to concentrations of EtO above these limits would need to wear additional respiratory protection. Finalizing the ban of use for museum, library and archival materials; cosmetics; musical instruments; and beekeeping equipment. Immediate cancellation of the use of EtO for specific dried herbs and spices for which its use is not considered critical for food safety, and phased cancellation for specific dried herbs and spices for which EtO use is considered critical for food safety but have potential alternatives to EtO. Establishing a concentration limit of 600 mg/L for new medical device sterilization cycles within 10 years. If a device requires a concentration of EtO greater than 600 mg/L due to the device design, the facility must maintain records to justify the increased application rate. Separation of HVAC systems for areas where EtO is used and areas where EtO is not used, to reduce EtO exposure in areas such as offices. Requiring respirators to protect workers involved in certain high EtO exposure tasks, such as connecting and disconnecting EtO containers from sterilization process equipment. Continuous EtO concentration monitoring throughout sterilization facilities, including on-site storage facilities. Data requirements to monitor breathing zone worker exposure to EtO within commercial sterilization facilities and warehouses that store sterilized materials, both on and off-site. When it Comes to Healthcare Facilities... Require abatement devices for healthcare facilities that use more than 10 lbs. of EtO/year by comparison – c commercial sterilizers typically release tons of EtO annually. Ventilation of EtO through exterior ventilation stacks to reduce exposure to healthcare facility workers. Exposure to communities from EtO used in healthcare facilities is expected to be minimal because the amount of EtO used at healthcare facilities is orders of magnitude lower than at commercial sterilization facilities. What Happens Next? EPA expects that registrants will submit label amendments that include the changes outlined in the decision within 60 days after publication. The agency plans to quickly review the label amendments so that products sold and distributed by registrants will include the changes outlined. The timing for implementation for individual mitigation measures ranges from two years to 10 years, taking into consideration the costs, technology availability, potential impacts to the medical device supply chain and other logistical elements.  Additionally, EPA will issue a Data Call-In (DCI) to gather information on worker exposure. Specifically, the DCI will require submission of worker exposure data for commercial sterilizers and warehouses in order to understand the worker exposure impacts of complying with EPA’s Clean Air Act EtO commercial sterilization NESHAP and implementing the mitigation measures identified in this Interim Decision.  EPA will reevaluate this Interim Decision within eight years, earlier than the typical 15-year cycle, based on the submitted worker exposure data, in order to identify further opportunities to reduce EtO exposures.

Did yinz know that January is National Radon Action Month? Did you further know that the EPA recommends that folks test their abodes for the cancer-causing gas? Indeed. Here’s what you need to know: Radon is an odorless, colorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas that, when left unaddressed, can build up inside a home. Over time, exposure to radon can cause lung cancer. The only way to know if your home has high levels of radon is to test for it. During this year's National Radon Action Month, GASP joins the EPA in urging everyone to take the first but vital step of testing their home.  This year's theme of 'Test Your Nest: Test, Fix, Save a Life,' emphasizes that identifying and reducing radon exposure can decrease lung cancer risk and save lives.  Good news is, testing for radon  is easy and inexpensive. Affordable do-it-yourself radon test kits are available for purchase online and at most home improvement and hardware stores. Some states and municipalities even provide at-home radon test kits for free. You can also hire a qualified radon professional to test your home.  Millions of homes in the United States have elevated levels of radon. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year , but many people don't know about radon or the risks it can pose to their health.  The EPA recommends taking action to fix your home if you discover radon levels above 4 picocuries per liter. If your home does have elevated levels of radon, a qualified professional can install a system to lower your indoor radon levels. For more guidance on how to address radon risks, see EPA's radon website . Editor’s Note: Want to learn more about your indoor air quality? Check out this FREE air quality monitoring program offered by our friends at ROCIS.

Dear Fellow Breathers, We wanted to give a last call for comments for those who want to weigh in on the Title V permit issued to Brackenridge-based ATI, which has been a major source of air pollution in Allegheny County for DECADES. Allegheny County Health Department is accepting comments on the permit through Oct. 22 and we wanted to make sure you had the info you need to make your voice heard. GASP submitted formal comments that you can read here . For those who would like to join us in calling for the permit to be stronger, we have sample comments below. Feel free to personalize them or use them as-is. Comments must be e-mailed to aqpermits@alleghenycounty.us by the end of the day on Tuesday, Oct. 22. For those who would like to testify in person, a public hearing will be held 6 p.m. at the Harrison Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Drive, Natrona Heights, PA 15065, in the conference room. Anyone who would like to speak at the hearing should register online at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing on the Department’s permits webpage at https://alleghenycounty.us/AQnotices Here are those sample comments: The ATI Title V permit must be strengthened to better protect ambient air quality and public health. ACHD must: Modify the permit so is assures compliance with the limits on particulate matter content and opacity of emissions from the HRPF Slab Grinder's stack. Modify the permit so that it assures compliance with the permit's limits on emissions from the active Hot Boxes. Modify the permit so that it assures compliance with limits on the PM content and opacity of emissions from the Revering Roughing Mill. Modify the permit so that it assures compliance with limits on the PM content and opacity of emissions from the 7-Stand Hot Finishing Mill. Modify the permit so it assures compliance with NOX and PM limits on emissions from the Plasma torch cutting operation. Modify the permit so it assures compliance with hourly and annual limits on the NOX emissions from the Plasma Torch Cutting Operation.

Friends, we need your help. Here’s what’s going on: A plan to fully fund Allegheny County Health Department’s Air Quality Program by making polluters pay is in danger of being derailed by the very companies that foul our skies. As we told yinz last week, Allegheny County Council was expected to vote on the ACHD proposal, which would increase certain air quality permit fees imposed on polluters. Despite significant public comment (including GASP’s Patrick Campbell) calling for members to vote yes on the fee schedule changes, that didn’t happen. Instead, they punted the thing back to the Health and Human Services Committee for further discussion. Full disclosure: We are hearing through back channels that one of Allegheny County’s most prolific polluters - U.S. Steel - has enlisted its allies to try to tank the proposal, which has already been approved by the Board of Health and subject to a public comment period where it received robust support from residents, nonprofits and elected officials alike. “The permit fee schedule vote should honestly be a no-brainer,” Campbell said. “But industry operatives are cherry-picking percentages from the plan and conflating the permit fee schedule changes with Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato’s budget to alarm council members enough for them to make a knee-jerk reaction and vote no on the issue.” He added: “We want to be very clear here: This isn’t some new tax plan. This isn’t something that residents will pay for. These are existing fees that ACHD is trying to increase because they simply do not cover the costs associated with running the program.” And guess what?  ACHD has been delegated the authority to enforce federal and state laws and regulations regarding air pollution controls in Allegheny County like the Clean Air Act. And the Clean Air Act requires that ACHD have adequate funding and personnel to carry out its duties. In fact, the law requires ACHD to charge Title V facilities fees that are sufficient to cover the cost of administering the program.   Bottom line? We need to let county council know loud and clear that: Air quality remains one of Allegheny County’s leading public health issues. Residents like you are impacted by air quality issues and deserve a fully funded Air Quality Program - one with the staffing and resources to enforce all applicable laws that protect our public health. That council needs to vote YES on the permit fee increases that are necessary for ACHD to carry out its duties - it’s literally the law. How can you do that? Easy. Reach out to county council and let them know how you feel! It doesn’t need to be anything super technical. An email introducing yourself, how you have been impacted by our county’s poor air quality, and that you need them to vote YES on the proposal to fully fund the Air Quality Program. All you have to do is click here and let ‘er rip.  Have questions? Need a little more info or help getting started? Please don’t hesitate to hit up our communications manager Amanda Gillooly at amanda@gasp-pgh.org . She can help you craft and submit your comments.

Friends, we have excellent news to report: Last night, Allegheny County Council’s Committee on Health and Human Services voted to affirmatively recommend a proposal to fully fund our Air Quality Program through increasing certain permitting fees imposed on polluters. “We want to send a big thank you to the committee,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “We also want to thank everyone who took a few minutes out of their day to contact their council rep and explain how important - and personal - this issue is to them.” But we want to remind everyone that we don’t have this thing over the proverbial goal line yet. The final stop? The permit fee increases ensuring ACHD has the resources/staffing it needs to properly run its Air Quality Program will be up for a vote at Allegheny County Council’s Dec. 17 meeting. And it will take more than a simple majority to get this thing passed - 10 of 15 council members need to vote YES. That’s why we’re gearing up for one final call to action. And we’re hoping that you will once again help us send a message to council to let them know how much public support there is for a fully funded air quality program. Please Contact your Allegheny County Council representative and tell them: You're concerned about air quality in Allegheny County (and share a personal story about how air pollution impacts you personally if you have one!) Residents deserve a fully funded Air Quality Program to enforce clean air laws. That you are urging them to vote YES on the proposal to fully fund the ACHD Air Quality Program. Making your voice heard is super simple!  You don't need to be an expert. For real. You just send a quick message introducing yourself, explain how air quality impacts you, and emphasize the importance of a fully funded program. Here’s the link to the form to reach all of council: Contact County Council - Allegheny County, PA Rather make a quick call? You can reach County Council at 412-350-6490. Need a little help or more info? No problem! Just email our communications manager Amanda Gillooly at amanda@gasp-pgh.org .