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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
US Steel Pollution in the Mon Valley
US Steel Pollution in the Mon Valley The city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding region have long been known for its industry, but in recent years, residents and environmental groups have grown increasingly concerned about the elevated levels of benzene pollution coming from, three U.S. Steel plants in the Mon Valley: Irvin Works, Clairton Coke […]
Many Workers Exposed to Asbestos at Chlor-Alkali Plants
Many Workers Exposed to Asbestos at Chlor-Alkali Plants Many chlor-alkali factory workers claim they were exposed to asbestos on the job. In the Olin Corp. chemical plant, workers saw asbestos in certain areas of the plant daily. Some people who worked in the plant as recently as last year say they were exposed to asbestos […]
Former Coal Plant Northwest of Pittsburgh Contaminates Groundwater
Former Coal Plant Northwest of Pittsburgh Contaminates Groundwater Coal ash, the byproduct of burning coal, contains hazardous substances such uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, lithium, and mercury. A recent investigation found that coal ash is contaminating groundwater near a decommissioned coal-fired plant in New Castle, Pa.. Exposure to these hazardous substances may cause thyroid, liver, and […]
Asbestos in the State of Pennsylvania
Asbestos in the State of Pennsylvania Throughout much of the 20th century, asbestos was a popular building material due to its heat resistance, high-tensile strength, and affordability. As the dangers of asbestos became known, its use declined. The carcinogen was even banned for a short period of time in the late 1980s. However, its widespread […]