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 […]
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 […]
Pittsburgh Asbestos History
Pittsburgh Asbestos History Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a long history of industrialization and manufacturing, which has put many individuals in the area at risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used in building materials and other products until the 1980s because of its durability, insulation properties, and fire resistance. However, asbestos fibers can be inhaled or […]
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 […]
Asbestos Claims Against Pittsburgh Corning – How a Leading Glass Block Producer Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Asbestos Claims Against Pittsburgh Corning Some of the first asbestos injury lawsuits filed in the 1960s and 1970s were against Pittsburgh Corning, which for many years was a leading glass block producer in the United States. Founded in 1937 after combining Pittsburgh Plate Company and Corning Glass Works, Pittsburgh Corning was not originally associated with […]