and Pollution, Inc. We work to improve air quality to ensure human, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Group Against Smog and Pollution, Inc. We work to improve air quality to ensure human, environmental, and economic health. Pittsburgh has made progress to improve air qualitybut More than 60% of days in 2015 were yellow days or worse.
We work to improve air quality to ensure human, environmental, and economic health.
More than 60% of days in 2015 were yellow days or worse. Days when air quality wasn’t good, when you need to take caution.
Air pollution makes people sick, shortens lives, and negatively impacts quality of life. People and companies may not want to move to a region with poor air quality? Young people may not want to stay in a city, find a job, raise a family that has poor air quality?
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We’re not as bad as we use to be, so we’re good! Our pollution
because of topography & air inversions (not sources) Most of our air pollution comes from Ohio
Carbon Monoxide Lead Nitrogen Dioxide Ozone Particulate Matter Sulfur Dioxide
Particulate matter (PM) includes solid and liquid droplets of various sizes suspended in air.
Particles between 10 µm and 2.5 µm,
(PM10), are more associated with road dust and salt (mostly primary).
Particles with diameter equal to or less than 2.5 µm referred to as fine particles(PM2.5) commonly result from combustion.
Particles with diameter less than 0.1 μm are referred to as ultrafine particles (UFP). Diesel emissions are a significant source of ultrafine particles in the atmosphere.
PM10 – Inflammation of respiratory
system, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, coughing, reduced lung capacity
PM2.5 – Heart attacks, strokes,
arrhythmias, lung cancers
PM0.1 – Brain damage, organ cancers New studies linking PM to childhood
leukemia, diabetes, reduced brain function, autism
Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ground-level ozone also can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the
may permanently scar lung tissue.
Diesel particulate matter
Formaldehyde
Benzene (including benzene
from gasoline)
Coke oven emissions
Carbon tetrachloride Acetaldehyde Arsenic compounds
(inorganic, including arsine)
Chromium compounds 1, 3-Butadiene
Inform yourself. Know the sources of pollution near
hearings are taking place and attend.
Any source that does or has the potential to emit large amounts of air pollutants (the limits vary by pollutant).
Download and use the new Smell PGH app, created by Carnegie Mellon University’s CREATE Lab, which allows you to report foul odors directly to the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD)
Call Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) every time you smell a foul odor or when you see thick smoke coming from industry. (412) 687-ACHD or on-line: achd.net/contactAQcomplaint.html
This program, administered by GASP, trains citizen opacity or “smoke” readers. Training also covers how to report to the Allegheny County Health Department.
Bring the EPA School Flag Program to your local school
Athletes United for Healthy Air Campaign Medical Professionals For Healthy Air
Write letters to the editor Speak at public hearings Discuss with your city/county council
person, state/federal representative, etc.
Discuss with your friends and family Talk with your physician
Rachel Filippini, Director Group Against Smog and Pollution rachel@gasp-pgh.org 412-924-0604 www.gasp-pgh.org Facebook/Twitter: @GASPPgh @rachelgasp