Those especially vulnerable to pollution, such as children and the elderly, should stay indoors on high-pollution days. But the findings also give activists more ammunition in their fight for tougher laws and stronger enforcement, provide regulators with more reason to do their jobs effectively and give image-conscious cities an additional reason to campaign for clean air. Long after most of the steel mills have gone silent, Pittsburgh continues to struggle with poor air quality, and some have demanded that the Allegheny County Health Department up its game. The issue must be on the front burner here. Pittsburgh’s universities attract and shape some of the nation’s best minds. It makes no sense to let pollution damage them.
