OVERVIEW
The Pittsburgh region, and its residents, have long battled against the memorable 1868 characterization of Pittsburgh as “hell with the lid taken off.” Indeed, the region’s air quality has improved since that time. Yet the region is still challenged, 150 years later, to reduce the negative health impacts of air pollution.
In a study released Wednesday
, February 21, 2018, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, in conjunction with Physicians for Social Responsibility, characterized the Pittsburgh region as having some of the worst outdoor air in the nation. This assessment is consistent with other findings. Pittsburgh was ranked #8 worst for year-round particle pollution and #17 worst for short-term particle pollution by the American Lung Association in 2017.
Efforts are underway by several organizations to tackle the air pollution problem in the Pittsburgh region. Join the Sustainable Pittsburgh Challenge team for this workshop to explore the current state of the region’s air quality, and learn how you can contribute to regional efforts to study, characterize and reduce the health impacts of air pollution.
Workshop participants will learn how to gain access to free air quality monitoring tools, and will hear how others have reduced air contaminants in indoor spaces using a variety of interventions.
