What It Means to Live Near Big Polluters

After moving to Pittsburgh, my wife and I were shocked by recurring episodes of foul-smelling air that triggered her asthma and headaches. Our research pointed to four non-compliant industrial facilities in Allegheny County, especially the Clairton Coke Works, which racked up over 6,700 Clean Air Act violations in just 3.5 years. Fines have not curbed the pollution, and residents like us routinely have to shut windows and cancel plans because of unhealthy air.

PennFuture’s Toxic Neighbor campaign exposed this ongoing crisis and the looming threat from projects like the Shell ethane cracker plant. It reminded us that while the city’s air has improved since the days of the infamous 1948 Donora smog, regulators must do more to enforce the Clean Air Act and protect vulnerable people. Community leaders and county officials should take decisive action—including suspending permits for serial violators—to ensure Pittsburgh becomes the healthy, livable city it aspires to be. Learn more and get involved with the Toxic Neighbor campaign at PennFuture’s website.