Air pollution has long been an environmental and public health concern in the Mon Valley, and a spate of recent research studies have shed new light on how emissions from industrial polluters impact everything from asthma rates to mental health conditions.
That’s why GASP is partnering with our local air quality regulator, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), to help educate residents about a new regulation known as The Mon Valley Episode Rule and why – and how – to get signed up for important public health alerts when unhealthy air quality is expected.
The new rule is an addition to the local Air Pollution Control Regulations signed into law last year. Its purpose was to develop and implement a system to respond to weather-related inversions in the Mon Valley, which can result in episodes of high levels of particulate matter pollution.
Here’s how it works: Under the new regs, ACHD monitors pollution forecasts for conditions that could lead to an “episode” – when meteorological conditions are likely to contribute to unacceptable air pollution levels in the Mon Valley. When this happens, sources of emissions within a defined Mon Valley area subject to the rule are required to follow approved mitigation plans to reduce emissions of fine and coarse particulate matter.
During these conditions, ACHD may issue a Mon Valley Air Pollution Watch or Warning through the Allegheny Alerts system. Through this public alert system, residents can opt to receive Mon Valley Alert messages via email, text, or automated phone call.
GASP’s making it simple to sign up. Just fill out this form and we’ll take care of the rest: