A 2018 Christmas Eve fire at the Clairton Coke Works knocked out pollution controls for three months, resulting in large releases of sulfur dioxide, a lung irritant.
Exemptions in the law and permissions from owners put hundreds of wells closer to homes, schools and churches than the 500-foot setback meant to protect public health.
Despite some improvements, the Pittsburgh metro area ranked 9th worst in the country for long-term particle pollution, which is associated with heart and lung disease.
Fracking waste can be radioactive. Advocates want it included in a pair of state-sponsored studies into fracking and childhood cancer, asthma, and poor birth outcomes.
A two-year investigation sampled the urine of families living near fracking. We talked to the reporter who says she was shocked by the high levels of chemicals found in kids.
