Lawsuit Alleging BOP Implosion Endangered Lives The Basic Oxygen Plant in Weirton, West Virginia, once deemed the plant of the future, was demolished by implosion in March. The building was first completed in 1967, and brought basic oxygen steel production, vacuum degassing, and continuous casting together into one operation. Before the plant, the steps were […]
World Lung Cancer Day, August 1, 2019
World Lung Cancer Day, August 1, 2019 With over 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year, lung cancer is the most common and the leading cause of death from cancer in both men and women in the United States. The American Cancer Society projects over 140,000 people will die from lung cancer in 2019 and the […]
People of Town Affected by Wildfire now have Benzene in Water Supply
People of Town Affected by Wildfire now have Benzene in Water Supply People in a California town damaged by the deadliest wildfire in California history are now dealing with contaminated water. The 1,500 people who are left cannot use their tap water because benzene, a known carcinogen, was found in it. Of the 500 water […]
Governor Tom Wolf Asked to Look into Fracking and Childhood Cancers
Governor Tom Wolf Asked to Look into Fracking and Childhood Cancers More than 100 organizations and 800 individuals have signed a public letter asking for the State Health Department to investigate shale gas drilling and its potential links to large amounts of childhood cancer. The letter was delivered to Governor Tom Wolf and Dr. Rachel […]
Reasons why Large Verdicts are Overturned or Reduced
Reasons why Large Verdicts are Overturned or Reduced Johnson & Johnson is facing more than 13,000 lawsuits due to its talcum powder products while Bayer has assumed liability for over 11,000 cases due to Monsanto’s glyphosate herbicide. The cases for these different products follow a pattern where a jury returns a guilty verdict and awards […]
Andrew Wheeler Shirking Responsibility for Asbestos and PFAS Chemicals
Andrew Wheeler Shirking Responsibility for Asbestos and PFAS Chemicals At his testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee, EPA chief Andrew Wheeler refused to support the banning of the carcinogen asbestos. The EPA is doing a risk assessment on asbestos, and Senator John Tester asked when the substance would be banned, claiming the risk assessment is […]
U.S. Steel Fined $700,000 for Air Pollution
U.S. Steel Fined $700,000 for Air Pollution For the third time in less than a year, the Allegheny County Health Department has fined U.S. Steel for excessive air pollution. It was announced that the company levied a $707,568 fine for air pollution violations during the second half of 2018. This brings the total fines against […]
Mon Valley Residents Upset About Fracking Site in Their Community
Mon Valley Residents Upset About Fracking Site in Their Community A proposed fracking site near U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson mill is causing problems for nearby residents. They have written two dozen statements and sent them to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) opposing Merrion Oil and Gas drilling a well next to the mill. […]
Pennsylvania Does Not Require Schools to Test for Lead in Drinking Water
Pennsylvania Does Not Require Schools to Test for Lead in Drinking Water The statewide advocacy group, Penn Environment, has given Pennsylvania a failing grade for lead in school drinking water due to not requiring lead testing in schools. This is the second time in two years that a failing grade has been given to Pennsylvania […]
Mon Valley Plants Ordered to Submit Plan to Reduce Emissions
Mon Valley Plants Ordered to Submit Plan to Reduce Emissions Earlier this week, the Allegheny Health Department issued an order requiring the Mon Valley Works to submit a plan outlining actions and specific steps they are going to take to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions that have been polluting the surrounding communities since the December 24 […]