Why are Children from Pittsburgh More Likely to Have Asthma?
by: Mackenzie Courtney
Photo by: Mackenzie Courtney
Air pollution issues are not a foreign concept to the city of Pittsburgh. The industrial background of the area is still deeply embedded in the city and many pollutant industries are still in Allegheny County. Not until recently, the air quality issues in Pittsburgh have, due to the industrial past, been “normalized” as put by Professor Chris Rolinson from Point Park University. He also noted how people seem to have adapted to the attitude that “it’s just the way things are” but we still have “a lot of work left.”
This “normalized attitude” could be taking a turn as a result of polluted air now becoming a prevalent issue in Pittsburgh after the American Lung Association gave Pittsburgh one of the worst rankings in air quality. In theirrecent study, Pittsburgh moved from 17th to 10th in the nation for air quality, and the city was graded an F. The American Lung Association’s page on the health effects of ozone and particle pollution revealed the city is ranked high in the nation for both pollution types.
Pittsburgh has been highly rated for livability but this startling factor may hold the city back. Recent studies have also uncovered the impact this air quality issue may have on residents of the city.
Photo by: Mackenzie Courtney
A new official statistic reveals that children in Allegheny County are 13 percent likely to have asthma, which is far from the national asthma rate of 8 percent.
One of the leading areas in air pollution in Allegheny County is Clairton. Lately, this area has been raising concern relating to the children receiving impacts from the industrial air pollution. Specifically, Northgate High School, has double the asthma rates of Pennsylvania children according to Environmental Health News. This is mostly due to the US Steel Clairton Coke Works Plant, which is the biggest in the US.
Professor Rolinson expresses his concern about the matter stating, “my children live here, I want good air for them.” Along with raising notice for his children, Rolinson also addressed a need to focus on “making sure health and environment are a priority over money.”
The asthma concerns for children in this area requires notice but these air pollutant industries have been affecting people for decades, of all ages. Many people have been working to restore healthy air for Pittsburgh, including the non-profit citizens’ group, GASP, which directly stands for “Group Against Smog and Pollution.” GASP has been working on several projects with human health and the environment being the main focus. One project includes the town of Clairton and the fight against the Coke Works Plants there. They also have started an online petition anyone can sign in order to express agreement with the danger surrounding the facility.
The residents of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are still involved in an ongoing fight against air pollution. With the help and involvement of the community, they can work to improve health for student and people in the area, and to create a sustainable environment for the future.