PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 100.1 FM and 1020 KDKA) – For the first time in its history, Allegheny County has met federal air quality standards on all eight air quality monitors.
The region is now in attainment with carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone and particulate matter.
"This achievement comes after years of hard work by the Health Department, federal and state agencies and local industry to clean up the air in Allegheny County," said Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen. "But we have more work to do, and the Health Department is committed to ensuring everyone in Allegheny County has clean air to breathe."
The eight air quality monitors are located in Liberty, Avalon, Lawrenceville, South Fayette, Harrison, Clairton, North Braddock, and along the Parkway East. The Liberty monitor, located near U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works, has kept Allegheny County from reaching EPA standard.
The air quality in Allegheny County saw a significant increase in 2020, and while there were less motorists on the road, there was not a significant decrease in industrial production over that time. The county was on track to reach the goal before the pandemic hit, which caused a decrease in traffic.
Allegheny County is attaining both the annual and 24-hour standards for PM2.5 for the first time since the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) set the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter in 1999.
The data is being certified for submission to the EPA for approval and will be a step towards the county's efforts to improve air quality.
