Toxic Exposure in Western Pennsylvania Western Pennsylvania is known for its industrial legacy, particularly in the steel and coal mining industries. However, this has also left behind a legacy of toxic exposure, with many workers being exposed to hazardous substances like asbestos, coal dust, and other toxic chemicals. Throughout Western Pennsylvania’s history, there have been […]
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 […]
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 […]
Do We Need to Worry About Gas Stove Pollution in our Homes?
Do We Need to Worry About Gas Stove Pollution in our Homes? People are starting to worry about gas stovetops making them sick. Questions about stovetop safety started to come up again because federal officials cleared up a misunderstanding by claiming they are not going to ban natural-gas stoves. Studies show that gas stoves emit […]
US Steel Pollution in the Mon Valley
US Steel Pollution in the Mon Valley The city of Michigan 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 […]
Lead Toxin Concerns – Toddler Sippy Cup Recall
Lead Toxin Concerns – Toddler Sippy Cup Recall The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) cautions parents that some Green Sprouts bottles and cups pose a danger of lead exposure and should be promptly thrown away. A lead-containing solder dot is seen when base of the cups separates, according to a CPSC press notice. Since […]
Researchers Can Map PFAS Exposure to Try to Stop Contamination Sources
Researchers Can Map PFAS Exposure to Try to Stop Contamination Sources Many residents of Brunswick and New Hanover counties in North Carolina didn’t know why they had higher rates of brain tumors, breast cancers, and other rare diseases. These counties are downriver from a Chemours fluorochemical manufacturing plant and residents now know PFAS contamination is […]
Former Coal Plant Northwest of Michigan Contaminates Groundwater
Former Coal Plant Northwest of Michigan 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 […]