Health Officials Issue New Pollution Warnings In Downtown Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Gone are the days of the smoke-filled skies, but now there are new warnings about pollution in Pittsburgh, which could affect tens of thousands of people who live and work Downtown.
We're not the smoky city anymore, but the Allegheny County Health Department is warning about higher levels of diesel particulates in Downtown, and it's potentially dangerous.
"They are cancer-causing, so, yes, there is no safe level," says Jayme Graham, the manager of Allegheny County Air Quality.
What are these particulates?
"Particulates are tiny, tiny, tiny specks of dust. You can't even see them," says Graham.
The primary source is diesel-powered buses, and to a lesser extent trucks, boats, and idling trucks and buses.
"What we found was that diesel particulate was the highest air toxic risk, and it was also highest in the downtown triangle," said Graham.
Pitt public health researcher Jane Clougherty conducted the most recent tests using sophisticated monitors.
"We worked with our colleagues at the Allegheny County Health Department to put these instruments at 36 different sites across the downtown Pittsburgh," said Clougherty.
Clougherty says her monitors found "very small particles, smaller than 2.5 microns areodynamic diameter, which means they are small enough to get all the way down to the base of your lungs, physically injuring gas blood exchange, carrying chemicals into the bloodstream."
So where in Pittsburgh can you find the most cancer-causing diesel particulates? Well, no surprise. It's right at a bus stop.
The solution -- get rid of diesel-powered buses. Health officials want to speed that up.
"We are part of a group that met with the Port Authority to see if there is some way they can accelerate the bus turnover. The older buses are much dirtier than the new buses, and by accelerating their turnover we can have cleaner air sooner," says Graham.
Port Authority officials are receptive, but it all comes down to money.
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In the meantime, health officials would like to see anti-idling laws enforced. Most trucks and buses are not allowed to idle for more than five minutes per hour.
"Idling is still a considerable problem," Graham says.
And on this one, citizens can help.
"If you see idling, please report it," Graham adds. "That's the biggest change we can do right now that doesn't cost anything."
