We want to give a shout out and HUGE congrats to GASP’s newest smoke readers!
Edith Abeyta and Ginger Brooks Takahashi of North Braddock Residents for Our Future, Aaron Makutura of Environmental Health Project and GASP’s own Laura Kuster recently attended the two-day training.
Not familiar with smoke reading? “Smoke readers” is a general term for volunteers who are trained and certified to recognize and understand visible emissions from sources such as smokestacks, as well as what violations look like, and how to make reports.
“Folks are sometimes surprised to learn this is the same training received by Allegheny County Visible Emissions Inspectors,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell noted.
He said attending the training is an excellent way for residents to take action in their own communities by reading visible emissions at the facilities that are of concern to them.
“The unfortunate reality is that local air quality inspectors can’t be everywhere at all times,” he said. “Readings from volunteers who are trained and certified as smoke readers may help increase regulatory scrutiny on air polluters.”