The EPA Set Limits for PFAS in Drinking Water For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency established exposure limits for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water. The substances, also known as PFAS, are called forever chemicals because they don’t degrade and are nearly impossible to destroy. This leads to them lingering permanently in […]
Total Asbestos Ban Enacted by the EPA
Total Asbestos Ban Enacted by the EPA The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a total ban on asbestos. Asbestos is a deadly carcinogen that kills tens of thousands of Americans every year but is still used in different industries. The ban comes after a major expansion of EPA regulation under a landmark 2016 law that […]
The United States Supreme Court is Deciding Whether or Not Purdue Pharma Can be Shielded from Future Lawsuits
The United States Supreme Court is Deciding Whether or Not Purdue Pharma Can be Shielded from Future Lawsuits The United States Supreme Court is conflicted in deciding if Purdue Pharma should be allowed to be protected from future lawsuits. During the oral argument, judges were skeptical about a bankruptcy court having legal authority to release […]
Understanding Asbestos Trusts
Understanding Asbestos Trusts Asbestos exposure has resulted in numerous cases of debilitating diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. To address the financial burden on asbestos victims and their families, asbestos trust funds, also known as asbestos bankruptcy trusts, were established. Understanding the concept of asbestos trusts, their purpose, how they function, and the process […]
Former Weirton Steel Site Will Soon be Used to Make Batteries
Weirton Steel, once the fifth largest steel producer in the country, was completely empty until recently. It was demolished on March 9, 2019, when two dozen explosives were set off within the building. It has been empty since it closed 20 years ago, but there is hope for the site and the people of Weirton. […]
Homer City Power Plant is Closing
Homer City Power Plant is Closing The coal power plant in Homer City, Indiana County off Route 22 is closing. It will be shutting down over the next three months. Two other plants will also be closing in Indiana and Armstrong counties. The plant is closing due to the low cost of natural gas, an […]
National Cancer Prevention Month 2023
National Cancer Prevention Month 2023 February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to prevent cancer, the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, around 30 to 50 percent of cancer cases are preventable. Around one third of cancer deaths are from tobacco, […]
East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment
East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment On February 3, 50 Norfolk Southern train cars came off the track in East Palestine, Ohio due to a rail car axle having a mechanical issue. Eleven of the cars had harmful chemicals including butyl acrylate and vinyl chloride. Authorities believed the chemicals could create a large explosion, so a […]
Asbestos Dangers & Employer Responsibilities in Pittsburgh
Asbestos Dangers & Employer Responsibilities in Pittsburgh Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction and manufacturing industries for its fire-resistant and insulating properties. However, it has since been discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Pittsburgh, like many other cities […]
Contractors Fined More Than $1 Million for Illegal Asbestos Disposal
Contractors Fined More Than $1 Million for Illegal Asbestos Disposal A contractor has been fined by the Allegheny County Health Department for almost $1.1 million for the illegal disposing of asbestos at the former Westinghouse headquarters. Ramesh Jain and his son Vikas Jain appealed the fine in 2017, which was later dismissed January 12, giving […]