Run for clean air

Despite its newly hip status and numerous "Most Livable City" accolades, Pittsburgh still suffers from poor air quality. We've come a long way from the black skies that hovered over the region like an ominous cloud, but there is much left to do. Our friends at Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) are raising awareness around air quality, and celebrating the work that environmental organizations, communities, and foundations have done to clean up our air with this weekend's inaugural Clean Air Dash and Festival.
 
Brought to Pittsburgh with the support of The Breathe Project, the Clean Air Dash and Festival is a 5K race, a 1-mile Fun Run/Walk, and a festival all in one, all on the South Side sliver of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. The gorgeous trail threads its way through trees along the banks of the Monongahela River, under several bridges, and directly on top of historic mill sites. 

PennFuture is proud to support GASP and the Clean Air Dash. We'll have a table at the event this Saturday, so please stop by if you're planning to run or participate in other festival activities (yoga, rock climbing, and more). Registration for the 5k ends on Friday at noon so don't delay; registration isn't necessary if you don't plan to run. More info is available on GASP's website. 

Hope to see you there!

Dr. Karen A. Hacker selected as new head of Allegheny County Health Department

As an outreach coordinator in western Pennsylvania, a large portion of my work is dedicated to air quality. In the Pittsburgh metro region, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has the authority to regulate emissions, and plan for future reductions. I interact with ACHD on a regular basis with respect to permitting and regulatory issues. When County Executive Rich Fitzgerald dismissed Bruce Dixon as ACHD director last year, I was curious as to who would replace him. After all, this person would have a huge influence on future decisions that affect air quality here.

After a months-long national search, Dr. Karen Ann Hacker has been selected as the new director. Dr. Hacker comes to ACHD with strong public health credentials in Boston, having served as an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and as executive director at the Institute for Public Health. However, she has little environmental health experience. That’s a knowledge gap that she’ll need to address, considering that the region consistently ranks in the top 10 on the American Lung Association’s annual list of most polluted cities.

With support from local environmental organizations, and Board of Health members including former PennFuture employee, Dr. Joylette Portlock, who has a strong background in air quality science, I’m sure Dr. Hacker will be up to speed in no time. I’m looking forward to meeting her and to working together in the future to improve public health in the county. In the meantime, welcome to Pittsburgh, Dr. Hacker!