Health Dept. issues bad air warning for Mon Valley residents

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
The Allegheny County Health Department is warning Mon Valley residents — especially those with asthma, bronchitis or emphysema, as well as children and the elderly — to limit outdoor activities until further notice.
The warning was issued Wednesday following a Christmas Eve fire at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works that damaged two gas dispatcher stations and has resulted in several exceedances of the federal standards for hourly SO2 (sulfur dioxide) emissions.
The recommendation is extended to residents of Braddock, Clairton, Dravosburg, Duquesne, East McKeesport, East Pittsburgh, Elizabeth borough, Elizabeth Township, Forward Township, Glassport, Jefferson Hills, Liberty, Lincoln, McKeesport, North Braddock, North Versailles, Pleasant Hills, Port Vue, Versailles, Wall, West Elizabeth and West Mifflin.
Officials in the City of McKeesport, Liberty borough and the South Allegheny School District posted warnings on their Facebook pages and websites to keep residents informed.
Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas with a strong odor similar to a match that has just been struck, health department officials said.
High concentrations of sulfur dioxide can affect breathing and may aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Sensitive populations include those with asthma, individuals with bronchitis or emphysema, children and the elderly, according to the health department
Although it is unknown whether any additional exceedances will occur, health department officials are recommending Mon Valley residents limit their outdoor activities, particularly if they are, or may be sensitive to, SO2 particles, while repairs are being made.
U.S. Steel spokeswoman Meghan M. Cox said the fire started around 4:15 a.m. Dec. 24 in a control room at the Clairton plant.
“The fire was extinguished and contained,” Cox said. “There were no injuries and we promptly notified the appropriate regulatory authorities.”

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