Post-Gazette series sparks debate about air pollution
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Danika Evans, 8, plays in her front yard with GenOn Energy's Elrama power plant in the background. The plant is considered a major source of pollution in the area. An electric power research group acknowledges that there are health effects from air pollution.
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The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's eight-day series published late last year, "Mapping Mortality," which detailed air pollution's impact on mortality rates throughout southwestern Pennsylvania, has intensified the debate over air quality.
While few would argue against cleaner air, the idea of reducing the region's smokestack pollution can pit resident against factory worker, environmentalist against corporate boss, and scientist focused on health consequences against development guru focused on job preservation.
Debate persists despite research showing that improved air quality bolsters a region's appeal, its economy and job growth.
"Mapping Mortality," published Dec. 12-20, revealed 12,833 more deaths than national mortality rates would predict, 2000 through 2008, for the 14 counties of southwestern Pennsylvania, based on three disease groups linked to pollution -- heart disease, respiratory disease and lung cancer. The data was adjusted to eliminate age as a factor.
That total closely matches the predicted mortality rates for the population of nearly 3 million, given pollution rates equal to or exceeding upper limits of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Despite that situation, existing clean-air laws are under fire.
U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., among others, have submitted bills that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to discontinue controls of carbon-dioxide emissions -- the greenhouse gas generated by coal combustion. President Barack Obama has threatened to veto any measure that would weaken the EPA or the Clean Air Act.
In the meantime, other efforts involve enforcement of laws to protect this region's air quality.
On Jan. 4, the EPA filed civil action against the 1,884-megawatt Homer City power plant in Indiana County, described as one of the nation's dirtiest, on claims it had operated without required permits or adequate pollution controls.
First Published April 22, 2011 12:00 am
