Southcentral Pennsylvania residents were forced to breathe dirty air on more days in 2020 than any other area of the state where ozone and particulate pollution are measured.
Lancaster led Pennsylvania with 107 days of elevated air pollution, according to “Trouble in the Air,” a report released on Tuesday by PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center and the Frontier Group.
The Harrisburg-Carlisle had the second highest number at 97 – or just more than three months’ worth.
It was followed by Reading, with 82; York-Hanover area with 65; and Pittsburgh and Johnstown, tied with 57.
Others included in the report are Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton and Altoona, each with 51 days, and Gettysburg with 46 days.
The most populous area of the state, Philadelphia, was combined with Camden, N.J., and Wilmington, Del., and had 49 days of elevated air pollution.
“No one should have to experience one day of polluted air, let alone 107 days,” Kelly Flanigan, PennEnvironment’s global warming solutions associate, said at a Capitol news conference.
“This data should concern every Pennsylvanian because research increasingly suggest that there is no safe level of air pollution for us to breathe,” she said.
The report identifies transportation as the biggest contributor to southcentral Pennsylvania’s poor air quality, followed by burning oil and gas as fuel, and agriculture.
“Pollution has been identified by many health experts as the single greatest environmental health risk factor in the United States,” said Kelly Kuhns, a Millersville University nursing professor with the national Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. “While most people understand that air pollution can increase the risk and incidence of breathing problems like asthma, emphysema and other issues, people don’t always realize how much farther those issues go.”
Among other health concerns, she said it can put people at greater risk of stroke and heart attacks, worsen mental health; cause problems with fertility, conception, pregnancy and birth; increase cancer risks; and can have long-term health effects in children.
“Our pollution problems already are and will continue to cause damage to our well-being and our environment,” said Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin County. “We know that climate change and increased air pollution will have a significant negative effect on our environment, our community, and our economy, Specifically, lower-income communities and communities of color are often exposed to higher levels of pollution and are most vulnerable.”
She and others at the news conference called for state policymakers to act swiftly to reduce air pollution by transitioning to electric-powered vehicles, increased investment in public transportation, and transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources and away from fossil fuels.
They also called for Pennsylvania to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multi-state partnership dedicated to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants over time.
But this initiative has drawn pushback from a variety of corners. Critics say it could shift some of Pennsylvania’s now-costlier power production to Ohio, West Virginia and other non-RGGI states. Opponents also contend the actual emissions drop across the regional power grid that Pennsylvania belongs to will be far smaller, and not worth the economic costs.
But those attending the news conference see that initiative as a way to reduce greenhouse gases, which trap air pollutants and worsen air quality.
“What we have in this building right here is not unfortunately a lack of information on this topic,” said Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia, gesturing toward the Capitol building behind him. “We have a lack of political will. But there is nothing partisan or political about little babies being able to breathe clean air or drink clean water. It’s not political. That is what every single Pennsylvanian deserves.”
Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.