PennEnvironment’s “Trouble in the Air” report shows Lancaster had 107 unhealthy air days in 2020, while Harrisburg had 97 and Reading had 82.
An environmental group had challenged the company’s air quality permit.
The company said the county is not “honoring its end of the bargain” struck as part of a 2019 settlement over air pollution violations.
US Steel, other industrial companies will submit plans to lower emissions during weather ‘episodes.’
As climate change creates conditions that lead to more intense wildfires, Pennsylvania could see more pollution from them.
The network of physicians, researchers, activists and cancer survivors says research shows rates for six types of cancer that have strong links to toxic chemicals are elevated in seven Southwestern Pennsylvania counties compared with national rates.
The study focused on potential health outcomes and did not consider employment or economic impacts of the policy.
The Christmas Eve fire destroyed the pollution controls at the Clairton Coke Works, knocking them offline for three months.
As the coronavirus raged in the U.S., air quality researchers were granted the gift of a natural experiment. It may be another year before the data can be analyzed.
The Philadelphia, Lancaster and Berks County areas also received poor grades; the Harrisburg area received passing grades.
