Pittsburgh Area Had Nation's Worst Air Quality Thursday

PITTSBURGH, PA - The Pittsburgh area on Thursday achieved the dubious distinction of having the nation's worst air quality. That's according to a government web site, AirNow, that tracks air quality indexes across the country.

On Thursday afternoon, the air quality index for Liberty-Clairton near Pittsburgh was 159, which the government considers unhealthy. At this level, everyone might begin to experience health effects, while members of sensitive groups could experience more serious health problems.

The Environmental Protection Agency calculates the Air Quality Index based on five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: Ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

For each of those pollutants, the EPA has established national air quality standards to protect public health. Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in this country.

Only one area even come close to Pittsburgh for poor air quality at the moment,according to AirNow: Portola, CA, which has an air quality index of 154. Areas with the next-highest levels:

• Susquehanna Valley, PA: 128

• Salmon, ID: 127

• North Polk, AK: 120

The Pittsburgh area on Thursday also was under a code orange air quality alert that was issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection. That means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy children, the elderly, and people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung diseases.

The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding outdoor exercise or strenuous activity.