Pittsburgh ranks 6th worst in Pa. for unhealthy air days

The Pittsburgh metropolitan area experienced 57 days of elevated air pollution in 2020, making the city the sixth worst in the state for unhealthy air days, according to a report released Tuesday by PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group.

The report ranked Lancaster as the worst city in Pennsylvania for air pollution, followed by Harrisburg-Carlisle, Reading, York-Hanover and Johnstown.

The study relied on statistics from 2020, the most recent year with available data, PennEnvironment said.

“Air pollution remains a serious health risk for residents here in Pittsburgh and across the nation,” said Olivia Perfetti, Western Pennsylvania organizer with PennEnvironment.

A new report from PennEnvironment showed that Pittsburgh experienced 57 days of elevated air pollution in 2020, making the city the 6th worst in the state for unhealthy air days.

Olivia Perfetti, Western PA organizer for PennEnvironment, spoke about the report today. pic.twitter.com/XUu0PM34qc

— Julia Felton (@JuliaFelton16) October 5, 2021

The report, titled “Trouble in the Air: Millions of Americans Breathed Polluted Air in 2020,” urges policymakers to “move quickly to reduce air pollution, including by electrifying every sector of the economy and transitioning to clean, renewable sources of energy.”

Research shows that health impacts from air pollution include heightened risk for heart disease, respiratory distress, mental health issues and cancer, Perfetti said. Impacts can be particularly dangerous for certain vulnerable populations, including young children, older adults and pregnant women.

“No one should have to breathe one single day of polluted air, let alone 57,” Perfetti said.

Nationwide, over 70% of the American population experienced more than one month of elevated air pollution, according to the report.

“Our research over the years has consistently shown that air pollution is a serious threat to our health here in Pittsburgh and across the nation,” Perfetti said, though she declined to provide specific details about how this report compared to PennEnvironment’s prior report.

The report suggests curbing the use of fossil fuels, increasing renewable energy use and strengthening air quality standards.

It also warns that climate change could exacerbate existing pollution problems.

Allegheny County Councilwoman Anita Prizio said she has heard complaints from constituents about the adverse effects of air pollution.

“We need to robustly enforce and update all air quality regulations,” she said.

Perfetti specifically highlighted electric vehicles as a way to curb pollution. She and Prizio also urged lawmakers to enter Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a measure supported by Gov. Tom Wolf.

“We can’t choose whether or not to breathe, but we can fight for clean air,” Perfetti said.