Opinion Open Letters Will Onorato put the interests of polluters a...
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Since 1988, the Allegheny County Department of Health has used a set of guidelines to monitor the effect of airborne toxic chemicals on the health of county residents. Three years ago concerned citizens, local environmentalists and representatives of business and industry met to develop an updated version of the guidelines. This seemed a reasonable course given the advances in science and technology as well as public support for clean, sustainable technologies. Agreement among all parties was reached and the revised guidelines were submitted to the county Board of Health.
Unfortunately the members of the board appear to be stuck in the past. On July 1 the board voted to indefinitely table the revised guidelines ("Residents Angered by County Health Board's Inaction," July 2). This action essentially kills these guidelines. It also dashed the hope of thousands of residents of Clairton, Glassport, Ben Avon, Emsworth, Kennedy, McKees Rocks, Avalon, Ohio Township, Sewickley, Stowe and Bellevue for a better level of protection from toxins associated with increased levels of cancer and asthma.
Board members took this action because they felt the revised guidelines would impose a burden on new polluting industries wishing to locate in the county. There was no mistaking that the board felt it was more important to protect the interests of polluters than the health of residents.
Now the ball is in the hands of County Executive Dan Onorato. He touts the greening of Allegheny County but allows his appointees on the Board of Health to do the dirty work of supporting polluting industries.
Mr. Onorato, now is the time for you to show your true colors. Intervene on behalf of your constituents to pressure the board to reconsider its poor decision. Will your true color be green or the same old smoky gray?
NORM MAST
Avalon
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