FACT:
Toxic air in our backyard poses a significant threat to public health and sickens people in all our communities.
Pittsburgh ranks as one of the top 25 most polluted cities in the nation in regard to year-round particle pollution (PM2.5). [1, 14]
Allegheny County ranks in the top 1 percent of counties in the U.S. for cancer risk from air pollution. [2]
Our air poses a significant threat to public health with an increased risk of heart and lung disease, asthma, diabetes, cancer and premature death. [1, 3, 6, 11, 13]
Asthma, cardiovascular disease and stroke can be aggravated by short-term exposure to particulate pollution. [7]
Suspected carcinogens in air pollution are associated with lung cancer, bladder cancer and childhood leukemia. [6]
Air pollution may be the cause of neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectral) and neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s), which have increased at alarming rates in recent decades. [6]
Low birth weight and developmental effects in babies are linked to chronic exposures to toxic air pollutants and particulate matter. [6]
Air pollution has been linked with pregnancy and birth complications among women living in Allegheny County, including increased risk of preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and preterm births. [1]
Fine particulate matter may alter metabolism in genetically susceptible populations, leading to higher body mass index (BMI) and obesity. [6]
The construction of the Shell Petrochemical facility in Beaver County could erase 30 years’ worth of regional air quality improvements and bring a verity of health risks from the VOCs it will emit. [5]
Pittsburgh has seen improvements, but is still facing significant challenges with air quality, particularly in terms of fine particulate matter, which poses serious health risks to residents. The city’s long-standing issues with industrial emissions and geographical factors contribute to this persistent ranking. [1,14]
Energy Innovation Center – Suite 140
1435 Bedford Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
