Pittsburgh Most Polluted

Pittsburgh got less than a week to bask in its recovered "most livable city" glory before the American Lung Association came out with this not-such-a-stunner:

Rated on the quality of its air, Pittsburgh is the second most polluted city in the United States. Here's a county-by-county breakdown of PA's State of the Air.

More recent local data show local particulate counts headed downward, which is good news. It's fine to get all choked up about living in a livable city, but no one wants to take that advice too literally.

Out in California, the Governator is so incensed by the fact that Los Angeles is #1 in the rankings that he's threatening to sue the EPA to allow him to impose stricter air quality rules than the ones provided under federal law. Here in Allegheny County, we're fighting over whether people should be allowed to smoke in bars and restaurants. Priorities! If the smokers want to smoke, then let them smoke alone. Patronize smoke-free restaurants. Here's a list.