Clean Air For All
Air Monitoring Plan
Protect PT is conducting air monitoring for our Clean Air for All (CAFA) study, beginning in late 2024 through 2027. This project focuses on communities in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties that are likely impacted by air pollution emitted from the following facilities:
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Monessen Coke Works a.k.a. Cleveland Cliffs
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Plum Injection Well a.k.a. Sedat Injection Well a.k.a. Penneco Injection Well.
Each monitoring site hosts a particulate matter (PM) air monitor, which will collect data for approximately 2 years to account for variables in weather patterns and industrial activity.
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In addition to the PM air monitors, the study is also utilizing one Summa canister and SPod deployment systems around each of the three facilities to collect information on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is so the best air samples can be captured.
The Summa canister — a specialized metal canister that collects a single sample of air — will be triggered by the SPod during high pollution events. Our goal with the SUMMA canister is to determine what kind of VOCs are present at the time of a pollution event and determine how much of each pollutant is present.
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There are no commercially available VOC monitors on the market, which makes measuring them extremely difficult. And because some VOCs are naturally occurring while others are not and have serious health impacts, it's important to determine what specific pollutants are present in what quantity.
Shown: 2 of 3 monitoring sites in Monessen and Belle Vernon
Shown: Monitoring area in Plum
Equipment We're Using
Pictured: SPod
Pictured: Particulate Matter Monitor (Purple Air)
Pictured: Summa Cannister
Community Engagement
In order to keep the community informed on the progression of this study and its findings, Protect PT will hold an annual resident meeting to go over the data we've collected and break down the most important information. ​
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Updates to come in 2025.
