Union Carbide in West Virginia: A Legacy of Industry and Asbestos Exposure For much of the twentieth century, Union Carbide Corporation stood as one of the most significant industrial employers in West Virginia. Its plants shaped the economy of the Kanawha Valley, drew thousands of workers into chemical manufacturing, and helped establish the region as […]
Philip Sporn Power Station and Asbestos Exposure
Philip Sporn Power Station and Asbestos Exposure American Electric Power, working through its subsidiaries Appalachian Power Company and Ohio Power Company, constructed the Philip Sporn Plant in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The facility was named for Philip Sporn, the engineer who became president of AEP on May 22, 1947, and who led the […]
Esophageal Cancer Awareness 2026
Esophageal Cancer Awareness 2026 Esophageal cancer, which is cancer of the long, muscular tube that moves food from your throat to your stomach, occurs when cancerous cells multiply and create tumors. There are two main types of esophageal cancer. The first is adenocarcinoma, which happens to be the most common type of esophageal cancer in […]
Tragic Explosion at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works
Tragic Explosion at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works An explosion at Clairton Coke Works occurred Monday morning causing significant injuries and two fatalities. According to the latest confirmed reports, two people have died, one person has been rescued from the site, and at least 10 others were injured. Several individuals received treatment at the scene, […]
Homer City Power Station Demolished
Homer City Power Station Demolished On March 22, 2025, the smokestacks and cooling towers of the Homer City Power Station in Indiana County came crashing down in a planned implosion. The demolition marked the physical end of the coal-fired power plant, which had ceased operations in 2023 due to economic pressures and shifting energy trends. […]
Westinghouse Electric and Asbestos: A Legacy of Controversy and Litigation
Westinghouse Electric and Asbestos: A Legacy of Controversy and Litigation Few names in industrial history are as significant as Westinghouse Electric Company. Established in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1886 by George Westinghouse, the company quickly became a powerhouse in the field of electrical technology. From pioneering the use of alternating current, to its pivotal role in […]
Dravo Corporation’s Legacy in WWII Shipbuilding and the Hidden Cost of Asbestos
Dravo Corporation’s Legacy in WWII Shipbuilding and the Hidden Cost of Asbestos As we reflect on the recent 80th anniversary of D-Day, we also reflect on the remarkable contributions made by American industries that supported the war effort. One such significant contributor was the Dravo Corporation, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dravo’s pioneering shipbuilding techniques and […]
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 […]
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 […]