Local nonprofit Protect PT invites area residents close to the Westmoreland Landfill, located in Rostraver, and the Monessen Coke Works, near-by in Monessen to attend a July 30 educational session at the Monessen Public Library, 329 Donner Avenue in Monessen, Westmoreland County starting at 5:30 p.m.

This educational session is part of Protect PT’s EPA funded study Clean Air For All: Knowledge is Power, which focuses on three local sources of air pollution in Westmoreland and Allegheny County.

The study will educate residents on the impacts to public health from air pollution, and how residents can advocate for clean air in their community. Light refreshments will be served.

In response to residents’ concerns about air quality resulting from Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill accepting fracking waste, alongside renewed production of the Monessen Coke Plant in 2021, Protect PT is monitoring air quality over a 1-2 year span to pinpoint the exact pollutants impacting these communities.

With this grant, Protect PT’s Environmental Science team will deploy advanced technologies, such as Summa Canisters and Sensit SPOD monitors that capture various kinds of emissions, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

These technologies will allow the team to identify VOCs, which cause a range of negative health effects, such as breathing difficulties and respiratory irritation, posing great risk to those who have respiratory issues.

“The PA DEP has failed the residents of Rostraver for allowing high levels of pollution in the area for over a decade. We will be able to see what type of chemicals people are being exposed to with this specialized equipment. We feel that no matter where people live, they should have the right to clean air,” says Gillian Graber, Protect PT’s Executive Director.

“We are conducting these studies in response to ongoing resident concerns about how air pollution is impacting their health. In order to address those concerns, we now need the participation of the community,” said Yvonne Sorovacu, Protect PT’s Environmental Scientist.

Click Here to RSVP for this event. 

If you are interested in participating in the study, but cannot attend the information session, please go to the Clean Air For All: Knowledge is Power webpage or send email to:  enviroscience@protectpt.org.

Visit the Protect PT website and their Facebook page to learn more about programs, initiatives, other upcoming events and how you can get involved.  Click Here to sign up for their newsletter.

[Posted: July 19, 2024]

7/22/2024