We do so many things so well here in Pittsburgh but when it comes to air quality, we still have a lot left to do. A report out by the American Thoracic Society and New York University's Marron Institute for Urban Management says that there are still pockets of the country dealing with high morbidity rates due to poor outdoor air quality, specifically particulate matter (PM 2.5) and ozone. Pittsburgh is the only non-California city in the top 5 offenders. Using data from epidemiology studies and the Environmental Protection Agency, the report estimates that 232 deaths in Pittsburgh in 2017 were pollution-related.
For the built environment, the seminal question is "Are we keeping bad air out of our buildings?" The best way to know that is to add the RESET Air standard to all new buildings and renovations. RESET Air is the most stringent indoor air quality (IAQ) standard in the world and requires continuous monitoring during operations. Only with data, continuously monitored during operations, can a building owner or their tenants know the quality of the indoor air in which they live, work and play. To see public visualizations for Pittsburgh-based RESET Air certified projects, go to https://qlear.io/cities/3285.
To learn more about adding the RESET Air standard to your new building or renovation, call AUROS Group at (412) 506-6777.