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Allegheny County's Board of Health is seeking public comment on changes to air pollution regulations that affect U.S. Steel's Clairton Plant and other nearby facilities.

The proposed revisions (download PDF) are designed to bring air pollution in Clairton, Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln and Port Vue into compliance with federal air quality standards.

Health Department data indicates that fine particles of pollution --- smaller than the width of a human hair --- can often be found in the air in the so-called Liberty-Clairton area at levels much higher than in other parts of the Pittsburgh region.

Air pollution in the Liberty, Clairton and Glassport area is a contributing factor to the Pittsburgh region's failure to meet federal air quality standards, according to the Health Department.

Public hearings will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at Clairton High School, as well as at the Health Department's offices in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood at 10 a.m. March 1. Comments also will be accepted in writing until March 6, said Guillermo Cole, department spokesman.

Health Department reports say air pollution such as that found in the Liberty-Clairton area has "a significant association" with heart and lung diseases, as well as short-term illnesses such as bronchitis and asthma attacks. Local and federal agencies say the pollution --- such as nitrates, sulfates and carbon --- can be traced to U.S. Steel's Clairton Plant as well as other Mon Valley facilities.

Clairton Plant is in the middle of a $500 million program to upgrade its coke-making facilities to generate less pollution and consume less energy.

To testify at the public hearings, speakers must pre-schedule by calling (412) 578-8008 at least 24 hours in advance. Speakers are limited to five minutes and asked to submit a written copy of their testimony.

Those unable to present testimony at the hearing may email their comments to boh@achd.net, fax them to (412) 578-8325; or send a letter to Allegheny County Board of Health, 3333 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

The proposed amendments are posted on the Health Department's web site, www.achd.net, and also available for public review Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Allegheny County Health Department Document Control Room, Clack Health Center, Building 7; and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Allegheny County Law Library, Room 921, City-County Building, Grant Street, Downtown Pittsburgh.

A printed copy of the plan can be requested and obtained via mail by calling (412) 578-8120.

The Board of Health will consider all public comments before finalizing and voting on the revisions.

Clairton High School, site of the Feb. 19 hearing, is located at 501 Waddell Ave. The Health Department's Clack Health Center, site of the March 1 hearing, is located at 301 39th Street, Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh.

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