Liberty/Clairton meets federal clean air standards for first time, officials say

The Liberty and Clairton areas have met federal clean air standards, meaning air quality in Allegheny County is the best it has been since the industrial revolution began, officials said today.

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said the annual air quality standard for fine particulate matter in the Liberty/Clairton area has come into compliance more than three years ahead of the required attainment date of August 2015.

"This is great progress and a significant milestone for Allegheny County's air quality," said Fitzgerald. "We must remain vigilant and continue working to improve air quality throughout the county."

Air quality improved at every monitoring site in 2011, with fine particulate levels well below the annual standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter Liberty (14.0), Avalon (13.1), North Braddock (12.3), Harrison (11.6), Lawrenceville (11.1), Clairton (10.7), South Fayette (10.6) and North Park (9.0).

"With the Liberty/Clairton area in compliance, every air monitoring station now meets the annual clean air standard for fine particulates, and air quality in Allegheny County is the best it has been since the industrial revolution began more than 100 years ago," said Air Quality Program Manager Jim Thompson.

The air quality improvements, especially in the Liberty/Clairton area, are because of recent pollution controls that have decreased emissions from the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works and from other sources upwind, particularly out-of-state power plants.

Visit link:
Liberty/Clairton meets federal clean air standards for first time, officials say