The American Lung Association gave several failing grades for air quality in counties around Butler. Butler County itself is without a monitoring station.

Butler County isn't named in a recent air quality report that condemns Pittsburgh air, but experts say county residents still have reason to care.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection operates air quality monitors scattered throughout the state in dense population areas and air basins. It doesn't have one in Butler County, so the American Lung Association doesn't list specific data for the county in its annual air quality report.

However, that report, which was released Wednesday, issues air quality grades for several counties surrounding Butler County, giving a picture of how the community's lungs might be faring.

Kevin Stewart, director of environmental health for advocacy and public policy at the ALA, said he couldn't speculate as to what Butler County's actual scores might be. He did, however, say residents should look west and northwest for an indication.

This is an excerpt — pick up Sunday's Butler Eagle to read more about air quality in Butler County.