Group Against Smog Group Against Smog and Pollution, Inc. and Pollution, Inc.

(GASP)(GASP)Founded in 1969, GASP is a non-profit Founded in 1969, GASP is a non-profit

citizens’ group in Southwestern PA citizens’ group in Southwestern PA working for a healthy, sustainable working for a healthy, sustainable

environment.environment.

www.gasp-pgh.orgwww.gasp-pgh.org

Group Against Smog and Pollution Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) www.gasp-pgh.org(GASP) www.gasp-pgh.org

• Watchdog Watchdog

• Smoke ReadingSmoke Reading

• EducateEducate

• Community Community OutreachOutreach

• EventsEvents– Drive Cleaner Drive Drive Cleaner Drive

GreenerGreener– SpeakersSpeakers

GASPer Air Monitor GASPer Air Monitor ProgramProgram

An opportunity for An opportunity for you to learn about you to learn about what you are what you are breathing! breathing!

Monitor both indoor Monitor both indoor and outdoor air and outdoor air quality using quality using portable, easy to portable, easy to use equipmentuse equipment

Smokestacks Pittsburgh 1906 from top of Union Smokestacks Pittsburgh 1906 from top of Union StationStation

DID YOU KNOW?DID YOU KNOW?

►The Pittsburgh area was recently The Pittsburgh area was recently ranked 2ranked 2ndnd worse air quality, for fine worse air quality, for fine particulates, after L.A. – American particulates, after L.A. – American Lung Association, 2007 State of the Air Lung Association, 2007 State of the Air ReportReport

►Our region is not meeting federal Our region is not meeting federal health standards for fine particulateshealth standards for fine particulates

Air Quality Action Day

Clear Day in Pittsburgh

Why is Pittsburgh’s Air Why is Pittsburgh’s Air Polluted?Polluted?

• Wind generally moves from west to Wind generally moves from west to east; pollution from the Ohio Valleyeast; pollution from the Ohio Valley

• Coal fired power plantsCoal fired power plants

• Clairton coke works – turning coal Clairton coke works – turning coal into coke for steel making processinto coke for steel making process

• GeographyGeography

• Diesel PollutionDiesel Pollution

Criteria Air PollutantsCriteria Air Pollutants

► EPA identifies 6 air pollutants as common EPA identifies 6 air pollutants as common throughout the US and able to harm human throughout the US and able to harm human health and the environment.health and the environment.

-Ozone -Ozone --Particulate MatterParticulate Matter-Carbon Monoxide-Carbon Monoxide-Nitrogen Dioxide-Nitrogen Dioxide-Sulfur Dioxide-Sulfur Dioxide-Lead-Lead

http://http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.htmlwww.epa.gov/air/criteria.html

What is particulate matter?What is particulate matter?a.k.a. “soot”a.k.a. “soot”

Particulate matter (PM) includes both solid Particulate matter (PM) includes both solid and liquid droplets of various sizes and liquid droplets of various sizes suspended in air.suspended in air.

► Primary PMPrimary PM – emitted – emitted directly,directly, as in wind blown soil, as in wind blown soil, salt from the ocean, or emissions of elemental salt from the ocean, or emissions of elemental carbon from combustion activities. carbon from combustion activities. ex. Construction sites, unpaved roads, forest fires, smokestacksex. Construction sites, unpaved roads, forest fires, smokestacks

► Secondary PMSecondary PM – formed when gases from power – formed when gases from power plants, industries & automobiles react in the air plants, industries & automobiles react in the air ex. sulfate particles formed from sulfur dioxide ex. sulfate particles formed from sulfur dioxide emitted by combustion.emitted by combustion.

How small are these particles?How small are these particles?

Particles between 10 µm and 2.5 µm are often Particles between 10 µm and 2.5 µm are often described as described as coarse particlescoarse particles (PM10) (PM10), and are , and are associated with primary PM such as road dust and salt. associated with primary PM such as road dust and salt.

Particles with diameter equal to or less than 2.5 µm are Particles with diameter equal to or less than 2.5 µm are referred to as referred to as fine particlesfine particles (PM2.5). (PM2.5). Commonly result Commonly result from combustion activities and chemical reactions from combustion activities and chemical reactions taking place in the air, for example, sulfate formation. taking place in the air, for example, sulfate formation. ~1/30~1/30thth the size of human hair. Found in smoke & haze. the size of human hair. Found in smoke & haze.

Particles with diameter less than 0Particles with diameter less than 0..1 μm, a subset of 1 μm, a subset of fine particles, are referred to as fine particles, are referred to as ultrafine particlesultrafine particles (UFP). Diesel emissions are a significant source of (UFP). Diesel emissions are a significant source of ultrafine particles in the atmosphere. ultrafine particles in the atmosphere.

ParticlesParticles

Why are we so concerned about Why are we so concerned about these tiny particles anyway?these tiny particles anyway?

- Too small to be filtered by the nose/mouthToo small to be filtered by the nose/mouth- Can be inhaled deeply into the lungs where Can be inhaled deeply into the lungs where

they can cross directly into blood stream like they can cross directly into blood stream like oxygenoxygen

- Asthma attacks (possible asthma onset)Asthma attacks (possible asthma onset)- Heart attacks Heart attacks - StrokesStrokes- Premature death (crib death in children)Premature death (crib death in children)- CancerCancer

Mystery SolvedMystery Solved

►Study at Northwestern University (2007)Study at Northwestern University (2007)►Microscopic air pollution causes an Microscopic air pollution causes an

increased tendency for blot to clotincreased tendency for blot to clot►Raises risk of fatal heart attack/stroke in Raises risk of fatal heart attack/stroke in

people with cardiovascular diseasepeople with cardiovascular disease►Previous studies have linked PM and Previous studies have linked PM and

cardiovascular death/diseasecardiovascular death/disease►This is the first study to show how it This is the first study to show how it

actually happensactually happens

Healthy Lungs vs. Polluted Healthy Lungs vs. Polluted LungsLungs

Non-attainmentNon-attainment

►Locality where air pollution levels Locality where air pollution levels persistently exceed National Ambient persistently exceed National Ambient Air Quality StandardsAir Quality Standards

►Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley Area are in Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley Area are in non-attainment for PM 2.5 & Ozonenon-attainment for PM 2.5 & Ozone

Can I reduce my exposure to Can I reduce my exposure to particulate matter?particulate matter?

► Avoid exposureAvoid exposure where possible to sources of airborne where possible to sources of airborne particles such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke and particles such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke and vehicle exhaust. vehicle exhaust.

► Avoid prolonged outdoor exertionAvoid prolonged outdoor exertion near high-traffic near high-traffic areas especially if it is a higher pollution day. areas especially if it is a higher pollution day.

► Stay informed about the daily air pollution levelsStay informed about the daily air pollution levels and and the associated health implications. the associated health implications. You can sign up to You can sign up to receive an AQI forecast by email each day here.receive an AQI forecast by email each day here. http://http://www.dep.state.pa.us/aq_apps/aqpartners/default.aspwww.dep.state.pa.us/aq_apps/aqpartners/default.asp

► Use high quality filters for heating and air Use high quality filters for heating and air conditionersconditioners. Change filters frequently. Consider . Change filters frequently. Consider using a room, car and/or house air cleaner. There are using a room, car and/or house air cleaner. There are a variety of types so research your needs and follow a variety of types so research your needs and follow proper maintenance recommendations. High-proper maintenance recommendations. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are better for Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are better for smaller particles. smaller particles.

DieselDiesel: Did you : Did you know?know?

• Today in the U.S. more than 13 million diesel vehicles help to build our cities and towns, transport our food and goods, and take us to and from work and school.

• Trucks, buses, farm equipment, construction equipment, locomotives and ships are all common diesel vehicles.

• More than ¾ of all Americans live near intersections, bus stops, highways, bus and truck depots, or construction sites with heavy equipment – all of which are concentrated sources of diesel exhaust.

• The lifespan of the average diesel vehicle is nearly 30 years.

►School Bus Idling School Bus Idling RegulationRegulation

(as of 10/10/04)(as of 10/10/04)

*School Buses cannot idle more than 5 *School Buses cannot idle more than 5 minutes.minutes.

*If you see a school bus idling for more *If you see a school bus idling for more than the allotted time than the allotted time contact the contact the Allegheny County Health Allegheny County Health Department at 412-687-2243Department at 412-687-2243 or or the police.the police.

►Diesel Diesel Powered Powered Motor Vehicle Motor Vehicle Idling Idling RegulationRegulation

** limits idling of city limits idling of city buses, trucks, waste buses, trucks, waste haulers and tour haulers and tour buses to FIVE buses to FIVE MINUTES!MINUTES!

Pittsburgh Healthy School Bus Pittsburgh Healthy School Bus FundFund

►Heinz Foundation provided initial $500,000Heinz Foundation provided initial $500,000►Retrofit all pre-2007 engine buses serving Retrofit all pre-2007 engine buses serving

Pgh School District - approx. 350Pgh School District - approx. 350►Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) for the tailpipe Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) for the tailpipe

and closed crankcase system for the engineand closed crankcase system for the engine►Reduces diesel emissions by at least 85%Reduces diesel emissions by at least 85%►Partnership between Clean Water Action, Partnership between Clean Water Action,

GASP, and Clean Air Task ForceGASP, and Clean Air Task Force► Innovative -Provides a model for other cities Innovative -Provides a model for other cities

Allegheny Partnership to Reduce Allegheny Partnership to Reduce Diesel PollutionDiesel Pollution

►Clean Water Action and GASPClean Water Action and GASP►Aims to reduce toxic diesel emissions Aims to reduce toxic diesel emissions

from all sectorsfrom all sectors►Currently working with City of Currently working with City of

Pittsburgh to secure EPA funds to Pittsburgh to secure EPA funds to retrofit municipal waste haulersretrofit municipal waste haulers

Coal Power: what goes on Coal Power: what goes on behind the light switchbehind the light switch

►Most people think that coal went out of Most people think that coal went out of fashion with top hats and corsetsfashion with top hats and corsets

► In fact, we burn more than a billion In fact, we burn more than a billion tons a yeartons a year

►About 20 lbs/day for every man, About 20 lbs/day for every man, woman and childwoman and child

►Coal power plants generate about half Coal power plants generate about half the electric power in the countrythe electric power in the country

Coal is not Clean & GreenCoal is not Clean & Green

►Annual emissions from a typical coal Annual emissions from a typical coal plant:plant:

►10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide►10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide►500 tons of small particles500 tons of small particles►225 pounds of arsenic225 pounds of arsenic►114 pounds of lead & 48 tons of mercury114 pounds of lead & 48 tons of mercury►For every ton of coal burned, 2-3 tons of For every ton of coal burned, 2-3 tons of

carbon dioxide are createdcarbon dioxide are created

Group Against Smog Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP)and Pollution (GASP)

Wightman School Community BuildingWightman School Community Building5604 Solway St., #2045604 Solway St., #204Pittsburgh, PA 15217Pittsburgh, PA 15217Phone: 412-325-7382Phone: 412-325-7382www.gasp-pgh.orgwww.gasp-pgh.org

Lee Szymkiewicz, Education CoordinatorLee Szymkiewicz, Education Coordinatorlee@gasp-pgh.orglee@gasp-pgh.org