InversionDocumentary

The unfinished business of Pittsburgh's air. A documentary in production by Mark Dixon. Trailer: . 🦋

[InversionDocumentary @inversion_doc]

For 10 years now the SmellPGH App (by CMU's @cmucreatelab) has helped community members crowd-source vital air quality information. Join the a celebration of the 10 year anniversary of SmellPGH on 9/30/26 4:00-7:00p.m., Schenley Plaza! RSVP: https://t.co/TcHrPhvBXL #airquality

[Breathe Project @BreatheProject]

If you had 61 violations on your driver's permit, would you expect to get a driver's license?
That’s what’s happening at the Shell plastics plant in Monaca. Despite dozens of pollution notices, they want a permanent permit.
Deny their Title V permit - they haven't earned it.

[Breathe Project @BreatheProject]

Qiyam Ansari of Valley Clean Air Now (VCAN) reflects on the August 11, 2025 explosion at the Nippon/U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works - what's changed and what hasn't, for the community one year later.

[Breathe Project @BreatheProject]

🚨 NEW INSTAGRAM! 🚨 @BreatheProjectSWPA
Our previous Instagram account was compromised, and despite months of trying to recover it, we lost access to features that we need to keep you informed.

Give our new official page a follow! @BreatheProjectSWPA

[PaEnvironmentDigest @paenvirodigest]

Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: US Steel Could Have Prevented Clairton Coke [Coal] Works Explosion, Federal Investigators Say https://t.co/uAnswHQndf

[Breathe Project @BreatheProject]

One year ago, an explosion at the Clairton Coke Works showed local residents just how dangerous living near industry can be. To this day, they still have to deal with the dangers from the Clairton Coke Works.

[Breathe Project @BreatheProject]

August 11th marks the 1-year anniversary of the explosion at Nippon/U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works. Mon Valley residents are still fearful of possible emergencies at these facilities.

[InversionDocumentary @inversion_doc]

The explosion report is out! Take a look...

[Breathe Project @BreatheProject]

‘It should never have happened’: Feds rip U.S. Steel for fatal Clairton Coke Works blast https://t.co/jRMEKGYZGW

[InversionDocumentary @inversion_doc]

@BreatheProject Thanks for sharing this...

[InversionDocumentary @inversion_doc]

The @BreatheProject has a great resource about wildfire pollution and #climate change, and how to protect yourself from the smoke. Highly recommended. #airquality https://t.co/J5wcAciSjr

[Allegheny County Health Department @HealthAllegheny]

The Allegheny County Health Department has issued An Air Pollution Episode Warning for the Mon Valley. This is in addition to the recent Code Maroon Air Quality Alert.

The warning was issued because 24-hour PM2.5 standard for the Mon Valley has been exceeded at an official monitoring station in the Mon Valley and is likely to continue for the next 24 hours.

Companies in the Mon Valley contributing to pollution are required to temporarily reduce activities that produce emissions.

PM 2.5 is a type of particle pollution that comes from many different sources. Fine particles (2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller) come from power plants, industrial processes, vehicle tailpipes, woodstoves, and wildfires.

Particle pollution causes several serious health problems, including coughing, wheezing, reduced lung function, asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes. It also is linked to early death in people with heart or lung disease.

Get the latest local updates on air quality by enrolling in Allegheny Alerts for free: https://t.co/4HnJlcbnsl

[Breathe Project @BreatheProject]

🟪CODE PURPLE — Very Unhealthy air quality today, Fri 7/17. DEP issued the alert as wildfire smoke continues. Sensitive groups: avoid all outdoor activity. Everyone: avoid long/intense outdoor activity. Thanks to ACHD for invoking the Mon Valley Rule, cutting polluter emissions.

[Breathe Project @BreatheProject]

Before you head out this weekend, check the air quality! Even better - sign up for Allegheny Alerts and get notified of any air pollution automatically. Sign up here: https://t.co/aQ2NwEYVel

[PA Department of Environmental Protection @PennsylvaniaDEP]

DEP declares a statewide Code Red 🔴 Air Quality Action Day for particulate matter (PM2.5) for Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota will be entering Pennsylvania’s northernmost counties and pushing into southern counties Wednesday afternoon into Thursday, creating Code Red concentrations of PM2.5.

Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Alert areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:

- Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment;
- Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use; and
- Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials

Residents are strongly encouraged to check https://t.co/37kS8AoirO for current conditions in their area.

Read more 👉 https://t.co/Xif2KsPrS5

[Allegheny County Health Department @HealthAllegheny]

⚠️ An Air Pollution Watch has been issued for the Mon Valley for Thursday and Friday.

📆 A forecast indicates that the PM2.5 levels will exceed the 24-hour standard for the Mon Valley and the state of Pennsylvania on Thursday, July 16 as well as on Friday July 17, 2026.

🏠 Sensitive groups including young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, and should avoid long or intense outdoor activities, consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors. Everyone else: should reduce long or intense activities and take more breaks during outdoor activities.

Companies most significantly contributing to particulate pollution will be ensuring equipment is functioning properly and they have sufficient staff and resources available to expeditiously implement the warning phase of their mitigation plans.

More information about fine particulate matter (PM2.5), as well as the current monitored amounts, can be found at: https://t.co/GcMKv2oKC8

[Dave Peterson Ⓥ 🇨🇦 @FedUpWithBadAir]

If you are in this area, here is what you are breathing:
https://t.co/iQHRstGETW
https://t.co/fCqJ0PgZWs

[InversionDocumentary @inversion_doc]

Keep an eye out for wildfire smoke arriving in Pittsburgh late Thursday into Friday of this week. It could add a lot of pollution to our airshed if the forecast holds. @BreatheProject @GASPPgh #airquality

[InversionDocumentary @inversion_doc]

Air Quality Alert! The PA DEP warns of high ozone tomorrow. Try to avoid extra exposure if you can. From the EPA: "When people breathe ozone air pollution, the lining of their lungs can become irritated and inflamed, much like a sunburn on the skin." https://t.co/CESCxKK8Xr

[InversionDocumentary @inversion_doc]

There's a new Allegheny County alert system, and you need to sign up for it if you want to stay in the loop. Thanks to @GASPPgh for the primer: https://t.co/x6drESZ1UD

[InversionDocumentary @inversion_doc]

And the SmellPGH reports from residents. Notice the wind direction pointing from Edgar Thomson into the SmellPGH reports. #AirQuality

[InversionDocumentary @inversion_doc]

Major pollution spike this AM and stench as expected. Plume(s) from Edgar Thomson appear to align with a significant rise in PM2.5 levels nearby. Video starts around 4:17am. (Thx to @BreatheProject and @cmucreatelab for BreatheCam footage) #Stinkburgh #Pittsburgh #Airquality

[InversionDocumentary @inversion_doc]

Here is the AM #PurpleAir monitor network data nearby: