Toxic pollutants are a group of 188 pollutants identified by the federal Clean Air Act that have been associated with a wide variety of adverse health effects, including cancer. Toxic pollutants are emitted from various sources, including major stationary, area, as well as mobile sources. Although the focus on toxics in ambient air is relatively new, there are many local, state and national programs aimed at reducing toxic pollutants in the air we breathe. Learn what you can do to help.

Northeastern Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Short-Term Ambient Air Sampling Report
As previously in the southwest, and in response to the increased number of well sites and concerns about the impact of the Marcellus Shale natural gas development activities on air quality, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection launched a short-term, screening-level air quality sampling initiative in the northeast region in August 2010, culminating in October 2010. This report includes the findings of the screening air sampling surveys conducted by PA DEP in Susquehanna County and background sampling conducted in Sullivan County. (PDF 2.3MB)

Southwestern Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Short-term Ambient Air Sampling Report
In response to the increased number of well sites and concerns about the impact of the Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling activities on air quality, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP or Department) launched a short-term, screening- level air quality sampling initiative in the southwest region in April 2010; the project was completed in August 2010. (PDF 2MB)

Toxics in Pennsylvania

Toxic Monitoring Sites in Pennsylvania
View a map of the toxic monitoring sites in Pennsylvania. Click on a site for additional information.

Collegeville Area Air Monitoring Report
DEP is investigating trichloroethylene levels in the air for two reasons: historic groundwater contamination and nearby air emission sources.
Site Information and Raw Data
1st Report (PDF)(1/19/07)
2nd Report (PDF)(3/7/08)
3rd Report (PDF)(11/17/09)

Pottstown Area Air Monitoring Report
In response to citizen concerns about potentially harmful air quality in Pottstown, Montgomery County, the Pennsylvania DEP has been operating an air monitoring station since 2002.
Site Information and Raw Data
1st Report (PDF)(5/12/04)
2nd Report (PDF)(1/19/07)

Southern Delaware County Report
(PDF)(7/03) Read the 3rd interim report on this study that focuses on air toxics concentration in Chester, Marcus Hook and Swarthmore. Download the Raw Concentration Data from this study.

London Grove Township, Chester County (9/99)
DEP and the Department of Health collaborated on a study to monitor ambient hydrogen sulfide levels. (PDF)
Report - Part 1
Report - Part 2
Appendices

National Air Toxics Assessment

1999 National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA)
Designed to help the government, and the public, better understand the air toxics problem. This assessment looks at 177 air toxics that present the greatest threat to public health in the largest number of urban areas. It includes: 1) an inventory of emissions; 2) estimates of outdoor air toxics levels; 3) estimates of exposure; and 4) a characterization of public health risks.

More Information

Urban Air Toxics
A brochure on EPA's program where 33 of the 188 toxic air pollutants are specifically targeted for monitoring in urban areas.

National Center for Environmental Assessment
Serves as the national resource center for the overall process of human health and ecological risk assessments; the integration of hazard, dose-response, and exposure data and models to produce risk characterizations.

Toxics Release Inventory
A valuable source of information regarding toxic chemicals that are used, manufactured, transported, or released into the environment.
Toxic Release Reporting, in Pennsylvania, is handled by the Dept. of Labor & Industry.

Air Toxics Website
EPA's comprehensive web site on Air Toxics including rules, implementation schedules, technical resources, and educational satellite broadcasting.

EPA's Great Waters Program
Evaluates the atmospheric deposition of air pollutants to the Great Lakes to determine whether the current Clean Air Act provisions are sufficient to prevent serious adverse effects to public health and the environment.

EPA Publications

• Air Pollution and Health Risk
• Risk Assessment for Toxic Air Pollutants: A Citizen's Guide
• Evaluating Exposures to Toxic Air Pollutants: A Citizen's Guide
• Air Toxics from Motor Vehicles