Pittsburgh, PA, Oct. 14 - Students in southwest Pennsylvania schools have the opportunity to show how they’d make a difference in the area’s air quality by participating in the 4th Annual Let’s Clear the Air Poster Challenge, sponsored by the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership, Inc. (SPAQP), and Pennsylvania Resources Council, Inc. (PRC).
All schools, public, parochial, and private in the seven counties, included in the Southwest Pennsylvania area (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland) are invited to participate. The topic for this year’s contest is promoting clean air and alternative transportation.
The contest will focus on school students in grades 4 – 12 and invitations were recently sent to schools, as well as to individual science, health, social studies, and art teachers. Gift cards will be given to the first 35 classes that sign up. Last year, more than 41 schools and 2800 students participated in the poster contest.
“This is a fantastic outreach program for the SPAQP and has become a great hit in the regional schools,” said Al DePaoli, SPAQP Chair. “We hope that many other schools will participate this year. The prizes are nice for the kids and schools, but the air quality awareness and education are the primary goals for the SPAQP and PRC.”
Participating schools will receive program resources and have access to age/grade specific lesson plans, available on the SPAQP website, spaqp.org. Contest categories are split into four groups: 4th and 5th upper elementary, 6th thru 8th middle school, 9th through 12th grade, high school freehand categories and new this year a graphic design category. The Poster Challenge curriculum covers topics including ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter, transportation and energy conservation, ways to avoid exposure to air pollution and tips to reduce air pollution.
“PRC is excited to be facilitating the Let’s Clear the Air Poster Challenge for the fourth year in a row,” said Sarah Alessio Shea, Environmental Educator for PRC. “Year after year we are amazed with the student’s incredible artwork promoting clean air and alternative transportation. We cannot wait to see what they come up with this year!”
Teachers at each school will pick the top three posters and send them to the PRC by March 1, 2014. The SPAQP Board will evaluate all of the posters received and choose a first and second place winner from each of the four categories. The top winner from each of the four categories will win a bicycle (to help promote alternative transportation), a $100 gift certificate to a school supply store for their teacher, and an Air Quality Magic Show assembly for their school. The four second place winners will receive a gift card to a local store that places an emphasis on outdoor recreation and a Beware of the Air or Recycling is Magic Show assembly program for their school.
The contest is funded by a SPAQP and administered by the PRC. The SPAQP will utilize winning posters on their website, through other outreach efforts and to promote the contest in subsequent years. The winning posters will also be displayed at local venues, including malls and government buildings. Teachers are still able to register for the Challenge and are encouraged to visit www.prc.org/posterchallenge.html, for more details!
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The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit environmental organization, is the oldest grassroots environmental organization (founded in 1939) in the Commonwealth. With programs in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, PRC works to solve environmental problems by bringing together representatives from business, government, and citizens’ groups who share a common concern for the environment. Through its outreach programs, PRC promotes resource conservation through recycling and waste reduction, litter prevention, watershed and air quality awareness by encouraging individuals and businesses to live and act in an environmentally responsible manner.
Residents Can Save Money and Energy
SW PA Air Quality Partnership Inc. offers programmable thermostat rebate at True Value stores
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 10– Residents can save money and energy by participating in the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership, Inc.’s programmable thermostat rebate program in October and November at 12 participating True Value stores in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, and Westmoreland Counties.
“Residents have an opportunity to help improve our area’s air quality by conserving energy in their homes through the use of a programmable thermostat,” said Betsy Mallison, Partnership Rebate Program Coordinator. “Conserving energy also helps to put more money in your pocket.”
The Partnership is offering 100 $50 rebates, available on a first-come, first-serve basis, one rebate per household, on one of four models of programmable thermostats at the True Value stores. While True Value carries many thermostat models, the rebate will be valid on the following models: Lux TX500E, White Rodgers P200, Honeywell RTH7500D and the Honeywell RTH7600D. The program will run through the end of November or until the rebates run out.
“In today's fast paced lives, the average family is out of their house by 8 a.m. and doesn’t return until 5p.m.,” said Andy Armhein, president of Evey True Value. “Why would you want to heat or cool your house all day long when no one is there? By programming the thermostat to adjust the temperature when you are not home, you can save up to 33 percent on your energy costs “
The purchase of the new programmable thermostat must be completed by Nov. 30 and the rebate information postmarked and mailed in to the Partnership no later than Dec.15. To claim the rebate, residents need to send a copy of a receipt, the UPC code from the product box and the rebate coupon they received at the True Value Store.
The Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership offers additional energy saving tips for the upcoming winter season. Put weather stripping along your windows and doorways to eliminate the breeze that comes through any gaps. Zone your house by closing heat vents in the rooms that are not being used. Let the sunshine in your room during the day and close the blinds in the evening to keep the cold out. Save money by installing compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and use up to 75 percent less energy than either halogen or incandescent bulbs. Turn off the light when you leave the room.
The participating True Value stores are listed below.
Allegheny County
Able True Value, 500 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles
Coraopolis True Value, 1029 Fifth Ave., Coraopolis
Evey True Value, 5779 Library Road, Bethel Park
Homecraft True Value Building Center, 3407 Library Road, Pittsburgh
Montour True Value, 1503 Fifth Ave., Coraopolis
R C Walter and Sons True Value, 1441 Boston Hollow Road, Rt. 48, Boston
Sarasnick’s True Value Hardware, 512 Washington Avenue, Pittsburgh
South Hills True Value, 758 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh
Beaver County
C&I True Value, 2481 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa
Butler County
Pfeifer True Value, 300 Marshall Way, Mars
Sarver True Value, 551 South Pike Road, Sarver
Westmoreland County
Latrobe True Value Hardware Center, 712 Industrial Blvd, Suite 2, Latrobe
mowdownflyer2014.pdf
Local Air Groups Launch EPA’s School Flag Program in Southwestern PA
Pittsburgh, PA This month, the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership, Inc. (SPAQP) and Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) are working with regional schools to launch the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) School Flag Program to teach parents, teachers and coaches about outdoor air quality conditions so children can continue to exercise safely when air quality pollution levels are in unhealthy ranges.
The School Flag program focuses on two main air pollutants: ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. The southwestern Pennsylvania region experiences many days when one or both of these pollutants are at high levels. Children are particularly susceptible to air pollution, which can harm their still developing lungs and trigger asthma attacks.
“This program is important tool for teachers and coaches who are planning outdoor activities,” said Al DePaoli, SPAQP chair. “By educating our students, their teachers, coaches and families, we can increase the air quality awareness in our region and help protect our children who participate in sports and other outdoor exercise activities. If everyone is aware of the forecast, especially on the unhealthy days, we can then decide what outdoor activities will be appropriate for those in our care, like the young and elderly. Additionally, we can decide what actions we can take in our daily lives to help improve our air quality.”
As part of the School Flag Program each day, students will check the Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast, a national guide for reporting air quality, and raise a colored flag outside their school that represents the day’s expected air pollution level. Based on the flag color, teachers, coaches, school personnel and parents can take actions, if necessary, to help safeguard students from exposure to unhealthy levels of air pollutants.
“Last Spring, we brought the School Flag Program to our Upper School with more than 20 interested students”, said Laura Micco, an Environmental Charter school teacher. “The students checked the forecast, recorded the color, and raised the flag every day. This year, we took the program to our Lower School, where our third graders will take on the responsibility of monitoring the air quality and raising the flag. The school flag program allowed us to continue using the outdoors as a classroom for real life science, while keeping students safe. We plan on enhancing the Upper School flag program by incorporating club projects that will help advocate for cleaner air in our community."
A green flag indicates air quality is good and poses little or no risk to health. The yellow flag signals moderate health concern, and orange means unhealthy for sensitive groups (like children, the elderly, and people with asthma). A red flag announces unhealthy air for everyone. A purple flag means the air quality is very unhealthy and everyone should avoid all outdoor activity (commonly used during local forest fires).
“It’s important for children to get daily exercise, but they also need to be protected from poor air quality,” said Rachel Fillippini, Executive Director of GASP.
“Children take in more air per pound of body weight, than adults, and as a result, are at a greater risk from air pollution, because their lungs are still developing. By participating in this program, schools can better arm themselves and their students with air quality information.”
The School Flag program is funded by the SPAQP and administered by GASP. Schools located in southwest Pennsylvania can participate in the program. For the 2013-14 school year, there are 25 openings for the free program on a first come, first served basis. Participating schools will received a free set of air quality flags, grade and age appropriate lessons on air pollution, and assistance with school specific programs. Interested school administrators or teachers, who want to participate in the program, should contact schoolflag@gasp-pgh.org, or call 412-924-0604.
Ground-level ozone is created through chemical reactions between volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides emitted by motor vehicles and industry, in the presence of UV radiation. Ozone is highly reactiveand damages cell linings causing swelling and inflammation in lungs and airways. Fine particulate matter, also known as soot or PM 2.5, comes from many sources, including diesel and gasoline vehicles, coal-fired power plants, industrial activity, and wood burning. PM2.5 has significant impacts on human health, such as increased risk of asthma, strokes, heart attacks, cancers, and premature death.
Residents can get current air quality information by subscribing at www.enviroflash.info or by downloading the AIRnow app. Daily air quality forecasts can be sent to an email, cell phone or Twitter account. For more information on the School Flag Program visit the EPA’s Flag Program Website: airnow.gov/schoolflag.
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The Group Against Smog and Pollution, Inc. (GASP) is Pittsburgh-based non-profit citizens group working for a healthy, sustainable environment. Founded in 1969, GASP serves as a watchdog, educator, litigator, and policy-maker on many environmental issues with a focus on air quality in Southwestern Pennsylvania. For more information, visit http://www.gasp-pgh.org
A Home for Fresh Air
A free workshop of the Southwest Pa
Air Quality Partnership, Inc.
May 16, 2013 5:15 – 7:00 pm
Botany Hall at Phipps Conservatory, Oakland
Hors d'Oeuvres and Reception 4:45 – 5:15
Presentations on energy savings in your home, radon testing, outdoor air, lawnmower rebates and more
Guest Speaker Dennis Yablonsky
Allegheny Conference on Community Development on Port Authority and public transportation
All who attend will receive a home environment kit worth $70-100, including a radon test kit, compact fluorescent bulbs, and more.
In Southwest PA to learn about the effects of air pollution, how to reduce their exposure, and to encourage action through a poster campaign promoting clean air and alternative transportation.
Coach AQ greets folks at the Wounded Warrior concert at Consol Energy Park.
SW PA Air Quality Partnership offers lawn equipment exchange program with True Value Stores
Just in time for the spring and summer mowing season, the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership, Inc. is offering rebates to Southwest Pennsylvania residents that exchange a gasoline-powered lawnmower and/or trimmer for a rebate toward the purchase of an electric or battery-powered mower and/or trimmer at 17 participating True Value stores in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, and Westmoreland Counties.
Residents have an opportunity to help mow down air pollution by replacing the gasoline-powered lawn equipment with an electric or battery-powered version that doesn’t produce volatile organic compounds that bake in the summer sunlight to produce ground-level ozone.
Ground-level ozone affects everyone, but the young, the old and those with respiratory problems are most at risk. However, when ground-level ozone concentrations are unhealthy, particularly during Air Quality Action Days, everyone is at risk.
The Partnership is offering 300 rebates available on a first-come, first-serve basis, one rebate per household for a lawnmower and/or a lawn trimmer. Residents, at their convenience, may visit their local participating True Value Store to exchange the lawn equipment. Residents will receive a $100 rebate toward the purchase of an electric or battery-powered mower and $25 toward the purchase of an electric or battery-powered trimmer or chain saw.
The purchase of the new electric or battery-powered mowers and trimmers must be completed by May 31 and the rebate information mailed into the Partnership by June 15. To claim the rebate, residents need to send a copy of a receipt, the UPC code from the product box, mower survey and the rebate coupon they received at the True Value Store. Should all of the rebates be claimed, the program could end before May 31.
The Partnership will work with Evey True Value and Michael Brothers to drain the oil and gasoline and to recycle the equipment.
The Partnership will offer an opportunities for residents to learn more about electric and battery-powered lawn equipment and the Clean Mower Exchange Program. True Value Store partners will provide refreshments. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Able True Value, 500 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles on May 12. The Partnership offered this program from 2000 to 2003 and recycled more than 900 pieces of lawn equipment in southwest Pennsylvania.
The following is a list of participating True Value stores:
Allegheny County
Able True Value, 500 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles
Coraopolis True Value, 1029 Fifth Ave., Coraopolis
Evey True Value, 5779 Library Road, Bethel Park
Homecraft True Value Building Center, 3407 Library Road, Pittsburgh
Montour True Value, 1503 Fifth Ave., Coraopolis
Option True Value Supply, 5141 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh
R C Walter and Sons True Value, 1441 Boston Hollow Road, Rt. 48, Boston
Sarasnick’s True Value Hardware, 512 Washington Avenue, Pittsburgh
South Hills True Value, 758 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh
Vaters True Value, 975 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh
Beaver County
C&I True Value, 1832 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa
Butler County
Pfeifer True Value, 300 Marshall Way, Mars
Slippery Rock True Value, 239 Grove City Road, Slippery Rock
Sarver True Value, 551 South Pike Road, Sarver
Westmoreland County
Latrobe True Value Hardware Center, 712 Industrial Blvd, Suite 2, Latrobe
Laurel True Value Hardware and Lumber, 3648 Rt. 30, Latrobe
Residents Can Mow Down Air Pollution SW PA Air Quality Partnership offers lawn equipment exchange program
PITTSBURGH, April 18-- Just in time for the spring and summer mowing season, the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership, Inc. is offering rebates to Southwest Pennsylvania residents that exchange a gasoline-powered lawnmower and/or trimmer for a rebate toward the purchase of an electric or battery-powered mower and/or trimmer at 17 participating True Value stores in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene and Westmoreland Counties.
“We are pleased to partner with True Value Hardware stores and to offer these rebates to our residents,” Betsy Mallison, Partnership Clean Mower Exchange Program Coordinator said. “Residents have an opportunity to help mow down air pollution by replacing the gasoline-powered lawn equipment with an electric or battery-powered version that doesn’t produce volatile organic compounds that bake in the summer sunlight to produce ground-level ozone.”
Ground-level ozone affects everyone, but the young, the old and those with respiratory problems are most at risk. However, when ground-level ozone concentrations are unhealthy, particularly during Air Quality Action Days, everyone is at risk.
The Partnership is offering 300 rebates available on a first-come, first-serve basis, one rebate per household for a lawnmower and/or a lawn trimmer. Residents, at their convenience,may visit their local participating True Value Store to exchange the lawn equipment.
The purchase of the new electric or battery-powered mowers and trimmers must be completed by May 31 and the rebate information mailed into the Partnership by June 15. To claim the rebate, residents need to send a copy of a receipt, the UPC code from the product box, mower survey and the rebate coupon they received at the True Value Store. Should all of the rebates be claimed, the program could end before May 31. Residents will receive a $100 rebate toward the purchase of the lawnmower and $25 toward the purchase of the trimmer.
The Partnership will work with Evey True Value and Michael Brothers to drain the oil and gasoline and to recycle the equipment.
The Partnership will offer two opportunities for residents to learn more about electric and battery-powered lawn equipment and the Clean Mower Exchange Program. True Value Store partners will provide refreshments. The events will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Evey True Value, 5779 Library Road, Bethel Park on April 28 and at Able True Value, 500 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles on May 12.
The Partnership offered this program from 2000 to 2003 and recycled more than 900 pieces of lawn equipment in southwest Pennsylvania.
SW PA AIR QUALITY PARTNERSHIP
CELEBRATES AIR QUALITY AWARENESS WEEK Sign up to get the Enviroflash, free air quality forecast
PITTSBURGH – May 3 –It’s Air Quality Awareness Week and the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership, Inc. urges residents to take time to learn about and take individual actions to help make a difference in our air quality, especially on Air Quality Action Days.
“Becoming aware of our air quality issues is the first step in doing your share for clean air. Individuals can take actions, like participating in our Clean Mower Exchange, to help improve our region’s air quality,” said Jayme Graham, Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership, Inc. Chair.
During the month of May, the Partnership is offering Clean Mower Exchange rebates to Southwest Pennsylvania residents that exchange a gasoline-powered lawnmower and/or trimmer for a rebate toward the purchase of an electric or battery-powered mower and/or trimmer at 17 participating True Value stores in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene and Westmoreland Counties. Residents will receive a $100 rebate toward the purchase of new lawnmower and $25 toward the purchase of a new trimmer.
While the Air Quality Awareness Week is a national effort, the Partnership provides residents with information about the region’s air quality year-round and calls for Air Quality Action Days when ground-level ozone and/or particle pollution reach unhealthy limits.
Graham encourages residents to go to the Partnership’s website, www.spaqp.org, to get the area’s
air quality forecast, provided by a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) meteorologist. Residents can sign up for Enviroflash, a free service that allows anyone to receive free air
quality forecasts for the following day by email or text message.
“Having access to the air quality forecast will prepare you to better make informed decisions about your health and the importance of improving our air quality,” said Graham. “The forecast also lets you know when the next Air Quality Action Day will be.”
In our area, transportation choices play a significant role in our air quality. The Partnership encourages residents to do their share for clean air and make clean air choices by choosing transportation alternatives like car or van pooling, taking the bus, biking or walking. More information on transportation choices is available at www.commuteinfo.org.
On Air Quality Action Days, when the ground-level ozone is high, the Partnership suggests residents postpone mowing the lawn, fuel the car’s gas tank after 6 p.m. and reduce the idling of the car’s engine. These actions help to reduce the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that bake in the sunlight to form ground-level ozone.
SW PA Air Quality Partnership Celebrates Air Quality Awareness Week Sign up to get the Enviroflash, Air Quality Forecast
PITTSBURGH – April 28 --The Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership, Inc. kicked off the 2012 Air Quality Awareness Week today at Evey True Value Hardware, Bethel Park, with an opportunity for residents to learn more about electric and battery-powered lawn equipment.
“Becoming aware of the air quality problem is the first step in doing your share for clean air. Individuals can take actions, like participating in our Clean Mower Exchange, to help improve our region’s air quality,” said Jayme Graham, Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership, Inc. Chair.
During today’s event, Partnership volunteers talked with residents who were interested in turning in their gas-powered lawn mowers or trimmers and getting a $100 rebate for a new electric or battery-powered lawnmower or $25 toward the purchase of an electric or battery-powered trimmer. Partnership rebate applications are available at 17 participating True Value Hardware stores in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties.
While the Air Quality Awareness Week is a national effort, the Partnership provides residents with information about the region’s air quality year-round and calls for Air Quality Action Days when ground-level ozone and/or particle pollution reach unhealthy limits.
Graham encourages residents to go to the Partnership’s website, www.spaqp.org, to get the area’s
air quality forecast, provided by a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) (more)meteorologist. Residents can sign up for Enviroflash, a free service that allows anyone to receive air
quality forecasts for the following day by email or text message.
“Having access to the air quality forecast will prepare you to better make informed decisions about your health and the importance of improving our air quality,” said Graham. “The forecast also lets you know when the next Air Quality Action Day will be.”
In our area, transportation choices play a significant role in our air quality. The Partnership encourages residents to do their share for clean air and make clean air choices by choosing transportation alternatives like car or van pooling, taking the bus, biking or walking. More information on transportation choices is available at www.commuteinfo.org.www.commuteinfo.org.
On Air Quality Action Days, when the ground-level ozone is high, the Partnership suggests residents postpone mowing the lawn, fuel the car’s gas tank after 6 p.m. and reduce the idling of the car’s engine. These actions help to reduce the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that bake in the sunlight to form ground-level ozone.
In partnership with the Pennsylvania Resources Council, the Partnership sponsored a “Let’s Clear the Air” poster contest for the 2011-2012 school year. The goal of the contest was for students in Southwest PA to learn about the effects of air pollution, how to reduce their exposure, and to encourage action through a poster campaign promoting clean air and alternative transportation.
SW PA Air Quality Partnership kicks off ground-level ozone season with kite flying
(PITTSBURGH May 16) The Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership will host free kite flying and an information booth as part of the Venture Outdoors Festival in Point State Park Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Pittsburgh.
The Flight for Clean Air kicks off the ground-level ozone season and helps to bring awareness of air quality issues. The Partnership, made up of business, government and environmental groups, works to educate residents about air quality and calls for Air Quality Action Days when air pollutant levels are elevated.
The Partnership relies on air quality forecasting performed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) which uses the national Air Quality Index. The Index uses color codes to designate the level of pollutant for the day. Red on the Air Quality Index means an unhealthy day when everyone should limit outdoor activities. Orange indicates the air is unhealthy for outdoor activities. Yellow means sensitive people should limit outdoor activities. Green indicates good air quality with no health impacts expected.
The Partnership asks residents to take voluntary actions on Air Quality Action Days. These voluntary actions include:
Postpone mowing your lawn with gas-powered mowers until evening.
Refuel your car after dark and keep your car tuned-up.
Skip the charcoal lighter fluid when grilling. Use a charcoal chimney or propane.
Conserve energy by turning thermostats up a notch or two and turn off unnecessary lights.
Let's Clear the Air Poster Challenge Poster Winners Congratulations to all who participated. To view the posters, please visit http://www.prc.org/poster-winners.html.
Southwest PA Air Quality Partnership
Celebrates 15th Anniversary The Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership celebrated its 15th Anniversary at its annual meeting on January 7 in Botany Hall at the Phipps Conservatory, 1 Schenley Park in Pittsburgh.
The festivities began at 8:15 a.m. with registration and a continental breakfast. The meeting began at 9 o'clock. Michael Dawida of Scenic Pittsburgh spoke on "Perceptions of Pittsburgh, Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow." Don Hopey and David Templeton from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette spoke about their series entitled "Mapping Mortality."
For more information, contact Jayme Graham of the Allegheny County Health Department at 412-578-8129 or send email to: jgraham@achd.net
SPAQP Kicks Off Pollution Reduction Outreach Program with Annual Event
On May 1st, 2010, the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership held its annual event to kick off another year of promoting voluntary pollution reduction practices, reaching out to the community, and educating people of all ages on air quality issues. The event, “Get Green Inside,” hosted by the Carnegie Science Center, focused on the many ways families could easily green their homes, their families, and their communities, all while saving some serious green in their wallets.
SPAQP invited a number of partners, both non-profit and for-profit groups, who share goals similar to the SPAQP. Together, the seven partners provided information on how families could change up different aspects of their lives to make them greener and more environmentally friendly.
Conservation Consultants, Inc. greeted the visitors with an outdoor solar display, bringing solar-powered fountains and solar artwork for each eco-conscious artist who stopped by. Home Depot presented materials on home efficiency and home weatherization, a great way to reduce heating and cooling costs while reducing energy consumption and pollution production. Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) were present to discuss outdoor air quality issues, such as ways to minimize ozone, and informed the visitors of the many ways they are actively working to reduce pollution from school buses, trucks, and other diesel-engine-powered vehicles. Pennsylvania American Water showed off numerous water conservation techniques that can be used every day, such as efficient shower heads. Healthy Home Resources was present to display their abundant resources on the ways to a cleaner and greener home, and Duquesne Light brought information on energy conservation and electricity-use reduction. SPAQP lead their own table, focusing on an issue they hope to tackle throughout the remainder of the year: clean wood burning practices, the benefits of smoke reduction and the promotion of cleaner burning fuels.
The event went from 11am until 3pm on Saturday at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, showcasing green tips and tricks for parents and providing eco-conscious games and activities for children, including an art table and interactive learning tools, such as Conservation Consultants, Inc.’s bicycle-powered energy meter.
The event was well attended and was another big step SPAQP is taking to reach out to the community and inform and educate people directly. The SPAQP now “officially” enters 2010 with a variety of new issues to tackle, community members to assist and children of all ages to educate.