Morning Roundup: Allegheny County ranked among most polluted places to live

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, April 19, 2023:

Pittsburgh ranked among worst in nation for air quality

The Pittsburgh region and Allegheny County were again ranked among one of the worst in the nation for air quality by the American Lung Association.

The association’s annual 2023 State of the Air Report, released Wednesday, ranks Allegheny County as the 25th most polluted place to live in America.

The data measuring ozone, particle pollution in a 24-hour-period and annual particle pollution, was collected from 2019 to 2021.

In the report, Allegheny County received an “F” rating for 24-hour high particle pollution days and a “C” in high ozone days.

The national air quality report was created in 2000 with a goal of providing the public with easy-to-understand information about air quality in their local communities.

Pittsburgh is ranked the 20th worst city for daily short-term particle pollution and 14th for annual particle pollution.

The Allegheny County Health Department issued a statement Wednesday in response to the report, pointing out the data used in the study is from two years ago.

ACHD touted air quality progress that includes 2020 and 2021 EPA certifications that all Allegheny County monitors continue to meet federal air quality standards for particle matter.

“Allegheny County is no longer the smoky region it once was, and has not been for a long time,” explained ACHD acting director Patrick Dowd. “The Health Department is always looking for better ways to monitor, permit, plan and enforce air quality regulations. Our dedicated staff will keep working to ensure that the county’s air quality keeps improving, so our residents can live happier healthier lives.”

Particle pollution is difficult to see and contains a mix of liquid and solid droplets in the form of soot, smoke, dust and dirt.

According to the report, natural gas-fired power and coal plants, cars, agriculture, fires, unpaved roads and construction sites create particle pollution matter.

The report highlights about 1 in 4 people living in the U.S., more than 119 million individuals, live with air pollution.

In the same report, some of the cleanest cities ranked by air quality are Honolulu, Hawaii, Colorado Springs, Colo., Wilmington, N.C., Asheville-Marion-Brevard, N.C. and Bangor, Maine.

To read the full report, click here.

Former McDonald’s manager charged with sexually assaulting teen employee

A former manager at a McDonald’s located in Moon Township is behind bars after an alleged sexual incident with a 15-year-old co-worker.

Daniel Bonet, 26, faces multiple charges that include sexual assault and corruption of minors, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI.

According to court documents, the female McDonald’s employee was trying to get a ride home after work when Bonet offered to drive her.

According to the criminal complaint, Bonet took the girl to a nearby Walmart and had sex with her in the parking lot.

The teen reported the incident to a nurse at a hospital 10 days later.

Bonet is scheduled back in court on April 25.

Freeze warnings and frost advisories blanket region

A frost advisory and freeze warning remained in effect until 9 a.m. Wednesday for much of the Pittsburgh region, according to Pittsburgh National Weather Service.

Affected counties with frost advisories are Allegheny, Washington, Greene, Fayette and parts of Westmoreland.

Freeze warnings remained in effect until 9 a.m. Wednesday for Armstrong, Butler, Lawrence, Beaver and parts of Indiana counties.

Temps are expected to rebound into the 60s Wednesday afternoon, and highs will increase into the 80s Thursday.

Temperatures today will be a few ticks warmer than yesterday. Highs from the upper 50s to lower 70s are expected, under mostly sunny skies. ???? pic.twitter.com/rsaKmBVJDp

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) April 19, 2023