Lancaster PA 10th-Smoggiest Midsized Metropolitan Area In The United States

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Despite continuing air-quality improvements, Lancaster was the 10th-smoggiest midsize metropolitan area in the United States during 2010, according to a report.

Using data from government air-quality monitors, the Philadelphia-based group PennEnvironment also found the Lancaster area tied with Pittsburgh for the second-most number of unhealthy smog days among all metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia had the worst smog in the state, according to the report, “Danger in the Air: Unhealthy Air Days in 2010 and 2011.”

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/463395_Group–Air-here-still-dirty.html#ixzz1YcaawN00

42-Inch Sewer Main Ruptures In Reading – Raw Sewage Being Dumped Into Schuylkill River

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Heads up to anyone who lives downstream from Reading.  A 42-inch sewer pipe has ruptured and the City of Reading is pumping raw sewage into the Schuylkill River to avoid further damage to the pipe!  The damaged section of pipe is 50 feet from the Schuylkill River.  The raw sewage starting being pumped into the river at 4 pm today.

The city is digging a big hole to collect the sewage and pipe it directed into the treatment plant downstream.

Reading Mayor Tom McMahon said fortunately the river is high because it will help “dilute” the sewage.  The damaged pipe is sixty years old!

Officials in Pottstown and Philadelphia were notified as both communities use the Schuylkill River for their water supply.  The state Department of Environmental Protection are on the scene and the EPA (federal) has been notified.

Might be a good time to stock up on bottled water!

Top 20 States With Toxic Air List

Yet another list, but not a good one.

Which states have the most toxic air?

Ohio leads the pack, followed by Pennsylvania and Florida.  The leading culprit in these states is power generation facilities that are coal and oil-fired.

Electricity generation and chemical processing were the top two offenders for dangerous emissions that cause ailments like asthma and cancer.

Other states rounding out the top 10 are:

Kentucky, Maryland, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina.

The bottom 10 states are:

South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Iowa